Well, I went to the track with my new tires and sure enough something is running horrible. The last time at the track it started running worse each run, and I thought it was a vacuum leak and a flattening slick. Fixed those two issues, and now it is big time down on power. I couldn't even do a burnout so it was really down on power.

Sounds really choppy, incredibly rough, honestly sounds like a cylinder is misfiring. It was having issues starting and idling also (low idle, didnt like to start if I had just shut it off). I did get a SES light, but it turned out to be my coolant temperature sensor being unplugged. Plugged that back in, and the light is gone. Still runs like crap. Where do i start?

I am going to pull the valve covers and see if I notice anything there (did hear some excessive valve train noise, hoping that is all it is) but once that pans out, where would you go next? Check to see all the plugs are firing? Are these symptoms similar to anyone?

I am hoping someone knwos what I mean by this, but it sounds different. It just sounds too loud but it is just a rough noise... hard to explain.

I guess it could be soem bad gas too, I will pick up some race gas later today as well. The gas has been in there a while since I rarely drive it around here.

As a summary - Runs rough, cant even turn the tires for a burnout (did the shake thing and I couldnt put on brakes hard enough) and sounds horrible. Loud noise, no power (ran 8.5@80 vs. my 7.8@90 the week before) and wont idle/start when warm.

Anyone? (another opti would make it my 4th opti in 8.5 years)

 

Sounds like it well past time to chuck the optis and go with that Delteq that's in the 4sale section. Have you got an ignition box on that? Maybe the increased spark is frying those optis.

Hal

 

nope, stock ignition completely. No msd box or even a coil.

I would like to switch to a different spark setup..

 

Did a lot of searching and tonight I will check a few things and post back.

Basically what I am thinking now is -
1 - broken valve spring
2 - knocked loose roller rocker (readjusting them tonight)
3 - it was low on gas, and gas is old... replace w/ some good gas
4 - check fuel pressure
5 - check plugs/wires
6 - if all else fails, check opti

there was a disconnected coolant temperature sensor. I scanend my car when I got home, saw this and plugged it back in and took it for a ride. It still ran like crap but I will try and disconnect computer now that it is plugged in and see if this makes a difference before doing anything too.

 

Found 3 plug wires that seemed to have backed off a little. Snapped them back on and it is idling great again. A little drop when it first fired up, but it fixed itself quick and sounded better revving than last time. I will take it for a drive probably tomorrow, but hopefully that was all!!

3 plug wires, 1 sensor... sigh I hope that was it.

 

Why would you promote the sale of something like the Delteq that is no longer supported by the manufacturer? Serious mistake to buy one.

 

Runs like a raped ape again! HAHA 3 plug wires rattled loose and a coolant sensor. I guess that would cause the violent missfiring!!!

Injuneer : Very good to know. I am out of the loop on mods I don't need when it runs fine... just when it starts running bad do I question my choices...

 

Thanks for the info Injuneer, I had no idea.

Hal

 

Delteq has been disfunctional for about 2 years. The owner supposedly got sick and can no longer operate the business. People with Delteq systems are stranded for spare parts.