Just completed the timing belt job on my 1990 3VZE. It now runs rough after it warms up, from idle to about 2500 rpm. All the timing marks were lined up, so I am confident that the belt is set on the correct gears. I also replaced the plugs, wires, cap & rotor.
The timing was around 5 deg. but I set the timing back to 10deg with the jumper in place. It idleing around 500 rpm after warm-up.

Could this be the TPS? I have read other posts about it, but I dont know how to adjust it. Any ideas/suggestions?

 

or EGR sticking open or halfway. try blocking the vacuum line going into the top of it to check.

 

Check your plugs and wires again-- start with the simple stuff I always say

 

I pulled the line off the EGR...nothing. Ran the same.

I tried unplugging the TPS, and the idle cam back up, and no more miss!

What does this mean...is the TPS bad, out of adjustment? Can I drive the truck without the TPS plugged in?

 

Pull the codes and see what comes up to start with.

 

Just noticed the truck now has a burning smell after warm-up. Could this be the sign of a bad cat converter?

 

I'd check your timing belt marks again, more then likely they're off.

 

I agree.

 

I'm 99% sure the timing marks were dead on. 1 tooth either way would have been way off.

Just took the truck for a LONG test run. Started spitting really bad on the highway, no power either.

Pulled in the driveway..and the cat is glowing RED. Is this a bad cat converter????

 

But you only had the problems after you did the timing belt right?

 

I bought the truck in the spring...just got around to the t-belt project...so I dont really remember how it was running..but I know it was lacking power.

 

A glowing cat means that your getting waaaaaaaaaaay too much fuel, probably because your missingso bad. Now that your cat has been over heated, it would be a good idea to check it out. Remove the exhaust before the cat and start it up, if the problem goes away then you have a plugged cat. But usually your truck would be mis firing before hand to gunk up the cat. Id check your timing marks just to be sure, but a faulty TPS is another likely story. Also could be a stuck open or leaking fuel injector.

 

You have too much unburned fuel in the exhaust which causes the cat to overheat. The cat will be/has been damaged driving it like that.

Do a compression check and/or record your engine vacuum at idle. Post up the results.