So I got this 93 with a blown head gasket for free. Replaced the head gaskets and got it running.

The problem is it takes 5 minutes get to 50 miles per hour on flat ground. If there is a slight hill, it will start slowing down with the peddle to the floor. Now I was not expecting a race car but this thing can not even be run on the highway like this.

I am not getting any CEL's and it idles and runs smoothly. Just no power. It has 33" tires and 4:88 gears with and an auto trans.

So when I took it apart, before I removed the timing belt, I was lining up the timing marks and noticed that with the crank pulley at 0 deg., and cylinder 1 at TDC, the cam timing marks were both one tooth off to the left of the marks on the rear timing belt cover. Now as far as I know, it was running fine before the head gasket blew.

I talked with a mechanic friend of mine, (who has not worked on a 3VZE before), and he told me that sometimes the timing marks are not always that precise and suggested I put them back same way they were before I took it off. So I did.

So my question is, should I go back in now and try putting the cam timing marks one tooth to the right and see if I get normal power?

Thanks

 

I would say leave it as it is, but check compression, and values. How did the values looking when you did the headgaskets. 93s like my 95 are heavy, certainly no speedster but build for comfort, not speed.

What does you timing look like via inductive timing light, 10degrees from TDC?

 

I checked compression before I took it apart and it was 140 across the board except for in the cylinder with the gasket blown that was 60. I guess I should check it again.

Not sure what you mean by values? I you meant valves, one head was cracked so I bought a rebuilt head with newly ground valves and new seals and the other head was sent to the machine shop for surfacing and pressure testing and the grind was checked.

Timing is at 8 deg. from TDC as per the manual. 10 with the jumper in to advance it.

Like I said, I know it is no race car but this thing would be dangerous to try to take on the highway. This can not be normal. I can't keep it at 45 miles per hour on a slight hill with it floored. It will start slowing down.

 

I would say the timing belt needs adjusting. On mine, when the crank is lined up to the 0 degree mark, the left (driver side) cam is spot on, and the right (pass side) is just a tiny bit off, not even a half tooth. So I think you should probably fix it.

You could probably find some good photos here on this site that would back me up also.

 

In all honesty it really sounds like the Timing Belt needs to be re-adjusted. Sounds like your cam timing is off. BTW it is common for a Cam that's out of adjustment by a single tooth not to throw a code. Iv'e seen some 2UZ-FE's, 1MZ's and 5VZ's take more than a week to light up and that's with OBD II. This would be a great place to start. BTW no low, deep noises are heard upon acceleration by any chance are they?

 

check your tps adjustment then recheck your ignition timing

 

I'd check for knock sensor FIRST; you DID replace the pigtail to it when you did the HG, RIGHT?!?

 

Yes, the pig tail was replaced. I almost put a new sensor in while I was at it, but for another $100 bucks, decided to stick with the old sensor.

 

So it was the cam timing.

Moved both cams one tooth clockwise and now it is just the normal 3.SLOW.

At least it will get to highway speeds in under 30 seconds now!

Thanks for the replies!

Invader

 

That's good to hear. Good luck with it, and thanks for letting us know what happened.

 

How much trouble was that to do, radiator hose,Timing belt cover, wrench on cam bolts and just rotate back one click, sorry clockwise on Click