Syonyk

K. It started yesterday - I went out to my car after work and it was dead. No big deal, got a jump start.



It died on the entrance to the highway. No good. Managed to get a jump, and kept the RPMs above 2k for the entire trip to the auto parts store by my house, where I took the battery in and discovered it was *toast* - dropped to 1-2v under load. Replaced battery. When I was driving it, it lacked some power, but generally drove fine.



Today, it started fine, got me to work fine, and I needed to run a computer somewhere. Died on me getting onto the highway (same damn ramp). It wouldn't start - I'd turn the key, hear the starter click, voltmeter would drop to 8V or so, and not enough power to turn things over.



It finally got back enough juice to start, and I was able to get it back to my office. Unfortunately, this time, it had *no* power - idle below 1000 RPM is very lumpy, and it took slipping the clutch at 3000 RPM to get me going, wide open throttle at 4k RPM kept me at 30mph or so. Not good. Not good at all. The exhaust at idle is very "pulsing" and there's clearly a lot of fuel getting sent out the exhaust - the afterburning was just horrid while I was driving. It gets smooth over 2000 RPM, but still has no power.



I came back, pulled the plugs, and found the rear leading plug was fouled. I replaced all 4 plugs.



Still the same thing - terrible idle, no power at all. It's also hesitating when I stomp on the throttle - it dies for a second, then begins winding up slowly.



I suspected the leading coil wasn't firing well, so I tried starting it on the trailing plugs only. It ran, but not quite as well. Also, the leading coils arc with the wire disconnected, so they're at least generating something.



I also tried regrounding the engine with a set of jumper cables, from a bolt on the engine to the frame. It didn't help, and the existing grounding wire still looks fine (I know it sucks, but that's a problem for a later date).



I haven't checked compression, but from my understanding, an engine with a blown apex seal still runs once the RPMs get up - and still has some amount of power. Mine has no power.



At this point, I'm out of ideas other than "limp to an auto shop, pay more than the car is worth for them to fix it." Unfortunately, I need a car for work, or I'd just bike to work while I was screwing with it.



Help? I'd really like to go home, with my car if possible.



-=Russ=-

1gendreemer

Sounds like the alternator is done bro.

rowtareh

Alternator or plug wires. Easy fix, and not too time consuming.

Syonyk

Hm. Alternator seems to work, though I'm not 100% sure. Would a bad alternator seriously cause severe problems running? Also, is there an easy way to test it?



I tried running it on the leading & trailing plugs - it runs on both, so apparently both are at least firing. However, it's pretty clear that not a lot of gas is burning based on the exhaust smell.



I also tried resetting the ECU by cutting power & hitting the brake pedal a few times, no joy.



-=Russ=-

Syonyk

12.7v battery voltage when idle, 14.1v when running.



Seems like the alternator is fine. :-/



The plug wires are only 3 months old, and I can't imagine all 4 would be bad.



I'm getting a ride home & leaving the car at a local car shop my coworker's brother works at. *sigh* Hopefully it can be fixed for under $1000. Hopefully it's not a blown apex seal.



-=Russ=-

rowtareh

That is what I thought, and my spark plugs were carboned and shot with only 1000 miles on them. And the previous plugs were white, and clean, like they should be. **** happens man. Check the wires.



Are you losing power if you turn on your headlights, or use turn signals, turn on interior lights, change the track on a cd, or change the radio station?

Syonyk

Erm... never mind. Rebuild time.



Pull front plug & turn over: "Chuff Chuff Chuff"

Pull rear plug & turn over: "... ... ..pip"



*sigh*



-=Russ=-

s&mbiker

That really sucks Russ... I hope you get your stuff working again.



P.S.

I saw that car for sale and I'm glad I didn't buy it I do feel your pain though... my truck was out of commission for about a month, and having no transportation sucks.



Hope the seven gets well soon!

Baldy

wow, an n/a with a blown apex seal...how many miles on it?

1gendreemer

Wow, that's terrible. It really sounded like just something electrical at first, but reading back over it, that's exactly what happened when I blew my motor too... It does happen on NA's! Seriously sorry man...