cooked an alternator about a week ago.



I didnt know it was on its way out until the battery was too dead to fire the coils/fuel injectors. it did some sputtering first while in gear (you know. ... sputter.... jump... vroom.... sputter.... jump... vroom... etc)



this is about where I pulled over...



I figured it was the alternator (optima yellow top battery) so I shut everything electrical off and push started her down a hill. 15 minutes later (and closer to home) I did the sputter jump game again (this time up hill with no shoulder to pull on to) I probably pushed her a little further than I should have (god bless her for givin all she had) but she eventually gave in.



ok



so a new alternator and a battery charge later I'm having a ********** of a time cold starting her. she cranks almost 3 times longer than she used to (used to fire right up) when she does lite off, she'll rev to 2.5k and then die. that is unless I pump the gas like thumper on crack (the rabbit in bambi...), in which case she'll stutter and usually rev back up. if I hold her at 3k with the gas she'll warm up and run.



on the highway she lost a little bit of her poop, exhaust smells a little richer, and hesitates (especially around 4k) when I really opened her up i had a helluva time getting up to 120mph (in fifth, but with a good head wind) she didnt want to climb any higher.



so before we get too carried away with the fixes:



140k miles

the L2 plug was loose, tightened her up and it helped a little. I pulled it out and there was a red colored crust I could chip off the electrodes with my fingernail.

NGK plugs

coils are firing (checked with a timing gun) stock leading, blaster trailing. (dont ask, they were free)

I'm gonna run a compression test tonight, while I change the plugs (they're 4 months old, but I wonder if one or two fouled durring the sputter) so I'll fill ya in on the #'s I find there.

no obvious vacuume leaks. but thats still pending the carb cleaner check (also to be done tonight)

and theres bird **** all over the car from parking under a tree



what I REALLY want to know is:

could it be a possible cooked 02 sensor? I have no idea how delicate these things are, or what causes them to go out, so info here would be helpful. (you can blame that on stupid carburators, they made me ignorant... but I'm getting better)



I'm just looking for an idea of where to go next if the stuff listed above has no effect.

im pooped

so is my car (bird pooped) on the good side I got my new rims and tires mounted.... 16 inch 225 series BFG's https://www.nopistons.com/forums/pub...1047683329.gif I can now "officially" post on the "what kind of rims do you have" thread!

changed the plugs... water on the the leading #2.



https://www.nopistons.com/forums/pub...1047683358.gif



well that was fun... hope she'll last till summer.

http://www.atkinsrotary.com/store/customer...=611&page=1



whaddya think for $899.-?

I used the Atkins overhaul kit for my S4 rebuild. All new seals, gaskets and bearings. I also ported her while the engine was out. I'm about 25k miles into the new engine and she's still running great. I say go for it.

I just got the ball rollin, pending UPS ground shipping, until the kit gets here: I parked my baby and put my butt in my ol lady's P.O.S. civic (red 1989 4 door) I gotta tell ya though, driving this pig is kinda embarassing.

**** could be worse you could be sporting the shoe leather express.

What were the numbers from your compression test? I'm curious.



An o2 sensor would only affect your idle and in 5th gear (closed loop mode).



A rebuild isn't the end of the world. I'm right in the middle of one myself.

rotor 1: 80/80/80

rotor 2: 70/70/70 (the one with the coolant)



also coolant was low, when I topped it off and drove it around it blew it out the overflow.



no man, rebuilds arent the end, just expensive! I'm excited as all hell! actually right now I'm supposed to be working on the ol lady's car, I'm afraid if I leave the house the UPS guy will come again. (its a C.O.D. delivery) but I MAN cant wait!



thank god for DIY-RE and atkins rotary!