91 VR-4 problems after 60k service and 99 lifters

[VanDamned]

I just had the 60k done with 99 lifters and now the car barely accelerates and backfires on deceleration very loudly.

The car has GM MAF with Blow Through.

[anyonebutme]

sounds like timing is off

[stealthee]

I'm with Chris. Timing is off.

[VanDamned]

My mechanic said he checked and rechecked the timing after these symptoms came up and everything was spot on.

I was thinking maybe he primed the lifters, but Eric from 3sx told me even if that was the case it wouldn't cause what's happening.

[stealthee]

Did your mechanic check the ignition timing as well? 91 and 92 have an adjustable cam sensor that can adjust ignition timing. This could also be an issue if the timing belt marks indeed line up. Still make sure he checked the mark on the crank as well. If he was only verifying the cam alignment he could be one tooth off on the crank.

[VanDamned]

I will ask him about the cam sensor.

The car ran fine when I picked it up, It did feel slightly more laggy though right off the bat. And by that night it was clear something was way off.

[stealthee]

Did you make sure the intake is still seated on the throttle body okay?

[VanDamned]

Yes all connections are good

[VanDamned]

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh88/tjshanley91/Mobile%20Uploads/image-2.jpg (http://s254.photobucket.com/user/tjshanley91/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image-2.jpg.html)

So my uncle took a look at the car with me tonight and said my timing is off.

Apparently those two lower marks should line up as well as the two circle marks?

[ICPREY]

Timing marks are on the valve covers and the upper marks on the cam sprockets should line up with them. Your crankshaft timing mark may also be off.

[VanDamned]

So from that picture does it look like the timing was set incorrectly?

[CoopKill]

The front (pictured) looks good. there are arrows on the valve cover they should line up with. Make sure to check the rear as well as the crank as mentioned. The crank mark is on the right side at about 1 o-clock as you are looking at it. Need to remove the wheel, and plastic sheild.

[VanDamned]

The front (pictured) looks good. there are arrows on the valve cover they should line up with. Make sure to check the rear as well as the crank as mentioned. The crank mark is on the right side at about 1 o-clock as you are looking at it. Need to remove the wheel, and plastic sheild.

Ok I will check that.

[CoopKill]

He is incorrect, there are timing marks on the back side of the cams as well that match a square like mark.

Here is a pic of the marks on the valve cover, and the dots lining up.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-VILQztgxAMw/VE05z6vIvzI/AAAAAAAAUbw/7k7R9OtNoGw/w978-h550-no/timing%2Bmarks.jpg

Download this it is your go to entertainment. http://www.mitsubishilinks.com/fsm/3000GT_fsm_1992-1996_enginechassisbody.pdf

[stealthee]

Bill the pic isn't showing.

[CoopKill]

hmmm, tapatalk servers must be crapping. Sec...

[VanDamned]

What about the two lower marks not lining up in the pic I posted?

[stealthee]

Those marks are inconsequential. Just worry about the dots aligning with the arrows on the valve covers just like in the picture Bill posted.

[CoopKill]

Fixed

Below is the crank timing marks. It is hard to see but the gear has a dot on it as well. It is a little off, but acceptable. If any more than pictured you have a problem.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eGI3Oz1vDS8/VE08-eR0hCI/AAAAAAAAUcE/K-SvXTnXVUo/s800/timing%2520marks%2520crank.jpg

[VanDamned]

Ok thanks for the replies. Time to check the rear and the crank.

Hopefully I can get the car sorted out she's a nice one!

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh88/tjshanley91/Mobile%20Uploads/image-4.jpg (http://s254.photobucket.com/user/tjshanley91/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image-4.jpg.html)
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh88/tjshanley91/Mobile%20Uploads/image-3.jpg (http://s254.photobucket.com/user/tjshanley91/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image-3.jpg.html)

[VanDamned]

My mechanic called this morning and said he thinks my problem is the valve springs. He said they could be too weak to support the 99 lifters I had him put in.

Any thoughts?

[stealthee]

I think your mechanic is an idiot.

[CoopKill]

Wait, so he put in 99 lifters, ask him if he removed the cams to do this. Report back with answer...

[VanDamned]

I had the car towed to his shop he's gonna look at it in the morning. I'll ask him about the cams.

[anyonebutme]

Would be [not so] funny if your mechanic installed the cams in the wrong positions.

[ICPREY]

Find a different mechanic....

[VanDamned]

I drove the car about 10-15 miles after this work was done. What damage could there be?

[CoopKill]

It all depends. These engines are zero tolearance so valves mating with pistons is no bueno. Not stating you are in that boat, but it is the reason I asked about removing the cams. If it ran decent before going to crap then it is sometng else and the cams are not swapped.

Does it make any tapping noise?

Post a vid if you can.

[VanDamned]

No vids the car was towed back to his shop but it was ticking. I know the 99 lifter can tick after install.

The motor sounded like shit though

[VanDamned]

Just got the car back. His explanation was that the valves were sticking, and he had to hit the valves to unstick them. Could be from carbon build up?

The car is running well. The only difference I notice now is a whining noise when driving and revving. Almost like the belt is whining.

[anyonebutme]

I don't know if I buy that, considering it ran fine before the swap, but whatever. I also have never heard of a brand new lifter ticking if installed correctly. I just hope the whine isn't the water pump bearings dying from an over tight timing belt.

[sublime_whatigo]

I think your mechanic is an idiot.

I think this belongs here also. I would get a second opinion, where do you live? Maybe someone locally can help out?

[VanDamned]

The whine is still apparent while driving but like I said it is running strong now.

I'm located on the NH/MA border by Salem NH.

[toddrs93]

yea I second that it all sounds like bs, I have had cars brought to me from other shops that initially set timing incorrect, started the car and bent the valves, then reset timing correctly and shipped it out like nothing ever happened and tried to cover there tracks. Lifters are not going to cause any issues when installed correctly, and in 15 years I have only seen a valve sticking issue one time on these.

[VanDamned]

The car is at ESP in Stirling MA. They are gonna look into the whining sound and we will go from there.

The car also makes an aweful sound now from a cold start.

Still runs good though.

[VanDamned]

The shop said the belt was tensioned incorrectly and the water pump was leaking coolant.

So the car was re-timed and tensioned for the 3rd time in a month. My mistake for not bringing it to the right shop in the first place.