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Engine Revs flaten at 2800 rpm

4K views 23 replies 6 participants last post by  Evesgird 
#1 ·
I think I'm gonna lose my mind.... too late, that left years ago.

Anyways my Sami is running like I have a malfunctioning rev limiter which I can't find. What I mean by that is, if I step on the gas hard the rpm/rev just flatten, and the car bogs down. It drives around town at 20-40mph just fine. It's just when you want to take it on the highway, or anywhere you might need a little more power, it sounds like a 747 taking off and acts like a limp noodle. I can't get up a decent hill to save my life, unless I want to do it at 15mph in 2nd gear, and that's just a normal road with an incline, not even a steep mountain road.

And this after all the TLC I given it... bummer. We've replaced the O2 sensor, every check valve, etc. rebuilt the carb, new muffler etc. We even passed California emmsions like it was a new car. Problem with that is that it never has to go above 35mph to pass the test.

Even repleaced the catalytic converter, although I'll admit to canibalizing it from a dead dodge neon which had it new for only three weeks before it died of catastrophic transmission failure. I don't know if there is such a thing as a converter being too large for a car.

I've also adjusted the valves, three times at this point, but I'm still getting a ton of slap/clatter, and it seems to be worse after a longer trip. It also sounds like my exhaust is ratteling, only it's totally tight and I can't even budge it. I couldn't really care about the noise, if she would just go.

Anyway, it feels like I'm driving around with a potato in my tailpipe, and I promise there isn't one there.

Much pouting...:(


H.E.L.P. Please
 
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#2 ·
This might be a silly question and I don't claim to be a great mechanic, but have you checked the lobes of the camshaft? If you're adjusting the rockers and still getting the tapping noise and it has no power you might want to take a caliper after it! Of course there are a lot of other guys here that know a lot more about these things than I do, so just an idea...
 
#3 · (Edited)
My first guess would be something is not right with the carb secondary vacuum system, or, fuel enrichment circuit. The bogging when you mat the throttle usually means the fuel/air mix is out of whack. How's your fuel pump? Fuel filter new? My old Toyota PU wouldn't climb the mountain passes in high gear, when the filter started to get plugged. I think the problem is fuel system related. Did this come on gradually, or, all of a sudden?

My experience with cam lob wear is that it usually shows up on one cylinder first. You get one cylinder that has an off, "flat", sound when firing as a lobe wears and things get worse from there. You might check the screws that hold the rocker assembly to the head. That might explain why your lash adjustment wont stay tight, but, you would also have a loss of oil flow to the rockers and low oil pressure. Your cam will be toast in a hurry, if that's what's going on. I've had engines with both flat cams and skipped timing. They will still rev just fine. They just don't have any high end power, or, sound right.

I don't think cat size would matter. Since you passed emissions, I would think it unlikely that it's plugged up already. Maybe, it fell apart inside and is causing restriction? I know pulling the converter is a PITA, but, it might be worth it to eliminate it as a cause of trouble, after you explore the other possible causes.

Exhaust noise could be just a bad donut between the manifold and the head pipe.

Hey, I'm just guessing here on what might be happening. Best of luck to you in your trouble shooting.
 
#4 ·
I got the car with a rebuilt engine, as far as I am aware the compression is fine.

As for the fuel system... yeah that's a bit of a trick. My mechanical won't work due to cam wear, so it's been replaced with a low pressure electronic, coming off of that is a fuel filter with a return nozzle/spigot, to release the pressure to the tank, and then it's going into a fuel pressure regulator which has been turned down to 1 psi so it doesn't overwhelm the carb float. Now normally I would have thought that no car can run 1 psi, but it behaves the same whether its 1psi or 7psi. I stomp on the gas and BLAAAAHHHH.

Though I have not checked the screws going to the rocker assembly. I will do that. Timing is dead on though. Mind you it revs fine in the driveway, but not in motion.

Here's another question... What if I straight pipe the cat for now, I wont have to do the emissions thing for 18 months yet, how will that affect the engine and gas milaege, not that that's great anyway.

I replaced the donut between the minifold and the head pipe, twice.

And I'm perfectly fine with your guesses... so keep 'em coming.

P.S. I did get the heater valve unstuck, your lube trick worked great. Of course I still have no heat, but the valve works.
 
#8 · (Edited)
Here's another question... What if I straight pipe the cat for now, I wont have to do the emissions thing for 18 months yet, how will that affect the engine and gas milaege, not that that's great anyway.
I'd give it a try. Shouldn't make mileage any worse, as there are no sensors downstream of the cat.
Does that mean I have to take the whole head off?
No. You can use a dial indicator to measure lift on the rockers. If they are all the same, (intake compared to intake, exhaust compared to exhaust)the cam is fine. Since you say the mech. fuel pump wont work because the cam is worn, you could have a cam that's going flat. I know a skipped timing belt/chain will register low intake manifold vacuum, but, I'm not sure if a worn cam will, too.
Should I just disconnect it, or actually take it out so that there is a hole in the manifold (won't it sputter?)?
I think he's saying to pull it out and see if the extra hole improves performance. I think removing it might confuse the smog system and you'll be dealing with more symptoms to complicate the issue.
 
#9 ·
No. You can use a dial indicator to measure lift on the rockers. If they are all the same, (intake compared to intake, exhaust compared to exhaust)the cam is fine.
Okay... that's a bit outside of what i know... not that I'm not willing to do it, but would you mind pointing me to the pages in the FSM which might guide me through such a measuring procedure. I'm real good with directions. The good thing is I have another head.

Thanks again
 
#13 ·
Here's something I was just reading about in the FSM-

FUEL CUT SYSTEM
As shown in the figure, the fuel cut solenoid valve is provided in the primary slow system of the carburetor
to open and close the fuel passage of the slow system.
As turning the ignition switch “OFF” cuts off the electric current to the solenoid, the solenoid closes the
fuel passage. Thus this system contributes to preventing dieseling of the engine after the ignition switch is
turned “OFF”. Also, during the deceleration and provided that all below listed three conditions exist, the
fuel cut solenoid valve operates to cut the fuel feed to the engine temporarily by closing the fuel passage
when it received a signal from the ECM.
Such operation of this system prevents the three-way catalyst from getting heated high and improves fuel
economy.
Three conditions:
l The coolant temperature is normal.
l The idle micro switch is in “ON” position. In other words, the primary throttle valve is closed.
l The engine revolution is more than 2,400 rpm. .

I take this to mean that the computer cuts the fuel if you are off the throttle and the engine is going over 2,400 RPM. What happens if that switch goes out and it thinks you are always off the throttle? Just curious if your problem could have anything to do with this.
 
#14 ·
I take this to mean that the computer cuts the fuel if you are off the throttle and the engine is going over 2,400 RPM. What happens if that switch goes out and it thinks you are always off the throttle? Just curious if your problem could have anything to do with this.
You know... it's definetly worth checking. Any clue where the switch may be located, or can you tell me where in the FSM you found this. I'm a picture kinda gal...

Thanks
 
#16 · (Edited)
did you take care of any issues you were having with the secondary VSV? seems you were trying to find one and i don't remember if you posted results of your trouble shooting. If the secondarys aren't opening that that could def be your issue.

As for the fuel cut not shutting off the fuel, you would get a lot of popping off throttle deceleration. Downshifting, steep declines.. etc but it won't cause power loss. If it's partially stuck or blocked it could cause power loss though.

Malfunctioning EGR system could be drawing innert air into your intake from the exhaust. It's designed to lower combustion temperatures, but if operating incorrectly it could sap power.

Turn the fuel regulator up to 3psi if you can. That's about where it should be. It may not be effecting it right now, but if you ever do get it to respond at higher loads, you may need the fuel.
 
#17 ·
did you take care of any issues you were having with the secondary VSV? seems you were trying to find one and i don't remember if you posted results of your trouble shooting. If the secondarys aren't opening that that could def be your issue.
Yes we checked the VSV just like you told me to, and it made the click you said it should. So at the moment my assumption is that it works.
 
#20 ·
Sorry I have nt replied sooner
Remove the o2 sensor from the manifold then drive it- if the cat is clogged this should show improvement in performance if not then that should eliminate the cat.
yes it will sound like shit but on your carbed sami it should not be a problem for a short test for the emission syst.
I do drivability for a living [on Fords] so I am not totally uninformed.
 
#21 · (Edited)
RPMs are beginning to Return

:D :D :D

First let me thank all of you for your great suggestions. It has taken me pretty much all weekend, and whatever spare time I have during the week to check it out. WOW you guys are awesome.

1) Looks like CAMISAMI called it with the O2 Sensor, and the cat. So we pulled the cat and straight piped it, and we got up to 4500 before it started making nasty redline noises. (And, no, I didn't think you were totally uninformed, it's me who doesn't know anything, and as such was just varifying the procedure).

2) Looks like the head will need a new cam eventually, it'll do for a while longer, but there is wear. The rocker assembly is completely tight. So we have readjusted the valves to the smallest adjustment on the intake and the largest adjustment on the exhaust. Luckily I have a second head, which I can rebuilt while Sami continues to run.

3)Compression from the cylinders is good, and there is no smoke coming from the tailpipe when it is running, even if I make it idle at 3000 for 3 min.

4) Baratacus, my dear... what is a WOT? The arm in the front seems to be moving as it should.

So we're going to finish the exhaust this week, and hopefully get some bouncing done this weekend.

Were getting there...
Thanks again
Sabine
 
#23 ·
Congrats - I'm glad you figured it out also! I didn't know what I was missing before I got my Zuki! I have a nice 2x4 Cherokee sitting in the driveway, but since getting this thing I'm driving it every where and it get a whole lot better gas milage than the Jeep!!!

David
 
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