how to check my TIMING and for VACUUM LEAKS?

[SuprSpdDB7]

I talked with a pal of mine who build race cars... anyways... i told him what was wrong with my car and he told me that i need to:

Check the Timing...
and
Check for Vacuum leaks...

how do i check timing???
what do i need to look for to check for vacuum leaks???

[img]graemlins/dunce.gif[/img] thanks [img]graemlins/dunce.gif[/img]

[John_D.]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by SuprSpdDB7:
how do i check timing???
what do i need to look for to check for vacuum leaks???<hr></blockquote>

Timing - the computer controls this. It's not adjustable like the older cars where you could loosen the hold-down bolt on the distributor, and rotate the distributor a little, then bolt it back down tight. You may be able to put a timing light on it, just to verify that the computer is doing it's job. If the computer was unable to maintain the correct timing, it would probably be giving you an SES light.

Vacuum leaks - three ways. First, visual. Any hoses not connected, or obviously broken/cracked at the ends. Next, listen while the car is idling, for a sucking or light whistling sound, which would be coming from a disconnected or cracked hose. Finally, feel around the end of every hose, checking for cracks underneath that you can't see from the top. Also check the entire length of the hoses, for any splices or t-fittings, and make sure those are on tight and not cracked/split.

What are the symptoms you're having, for the mechanic to suggest timing and vacuum leaks?

The problem might be a sticking egr valve, ignition (plugs, wires, coils), a sensor, just about anything....

[SuprSpdDB7]

ok... here goes
My car when u hit the pedal it hesitates and then has surges of power...
kinda like (put put put, vrooom put put put vroom) and then it you hit the gas sometimes, the RPM's goes all the way up (aprox. 4000) and the car just stays at the current speed it doesn't gain speed..

i changed:
Plugs/Wires, Fuel Filter, Check air filter (K&N), put in injector cleaner, transmission cleaner, pcv valve, oil changes, anything i could thing of...

also, when idling (u can't really hear it) but when accellerating u kinda hear a hissing sound...

[Tyler]

its the tranny.. i had the same problem with my firebird a4 when i had it.. DID EVERYTHING...and when i added that ford nonslip tranny fluid **** in it.. it fixed the problem...try that out...

[fbody4life]

Superspd-I have this same EXACT problem. Almost every fbody with high miles get this sh!t. To me it really happens in the morning, once the car is heated up a bit it dosen't give me as much of a problem. I have also changed everything you did(plugs,wires,spark plugs, fuel filter, pcv, etc.) I heard other possible causes could be- injectors, distributor, or fuel pump. I'm not sure what to check first. When does the hestitaion occur for you? At every stop or just sometimes.

tyler- to me it does not feel like a tranny problem. It seems like something in the fuel/spark delivery system. Feels like the car is running out of gas and does have enough power. But if all else fails I will try the no slip tranny fluid. Where did you get it? Do you have to get the tranny fluid complety changed over can you add it to the exsisting fluid. Also how did you know the tranny was the part causing all your problems? What symptoms did you have?

[SuprSpdDB7]

well i guess i will stop at AutoZone and get some of that NonSlip stuff... hope it works... but it does it after a stop.... or when i slow down then TRY to speed back up again

[bmacleod]

I just started having the same problem again.

Same thing as the other two times it happened. Starts off only sometimes in the mornings and progressively gets worse over time. The first time it was my plugs, second time my wires.

I just bought new plugs/wires yesterday and am going go get new coil packs today. I hope it fixes it....btw mine is a 5 spd so it doesn't sound like a tranny problem in my case (or clutch problem I had a new clutch installed less than a year ago)

Good luck with the rest of you

[Tyler]

well...i experienced the same exact thing also, and it turned out to be the transmission.. it felt as if it were running on like...3 cyl. when you hit the gas..am i right?

[SuprSpdDB7]

exactly ...what did u do to fix it?
anything other than that Tranny slip stuff?

[ May 01, 2002: Message edited by: SuprSpdDB7 ]</p>

[Skullcamaro]

Try checking your tranny and have it serviced(fluid/filter), also have your exhaust system checked especially your cat. converter. If your rpms are reving high and sticking it could be a clogged cat and that would explain the hesitation, surges, etc. This happened during by times to me. The first was the cat and the second was the trans.

[Brian Dieckman]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by fbody4life:
to me it does not feel like a tranny problem...<hr></blockquote>

He said the RPM's go up but he does not gain speed. Therefore it's post-flywheel. Doesn't necessarily mean tranny, but that's probably part of it.

-Brian

[SuprSpdDB7]

well hopefully things will work out... here's an update:

Today) bought and put in Non-Slip Tranny Fluid
Went to local auto shop and asked about prices for installation of new cat and exhaust
Will go next week to have my B&B Exhaust put in and I'll go ahead and get a high-flow cat to be on the safe side..

also will get tranny service (filter change/new fluids) probably on Wednesday!

will post in a day or so to let ya'll know (those who are having same prob) if the NonSlip tranny stuff is helping.

[Brian Dieckman]

Also, about the vacuum leaks. If you think you've found one, a trick I always used on my carbureted cars was to spray carb cleaner on the spot where I thought I had a leak.

It will make the engine speed change... usually it revs a little. Don't spray too much... don't want to dammage anything.

Come to think about it... I don't know if that's okay to do on a fuel injected car. Will it work at all? I don't know!

Any thoughts?

-Brian