head gasket job, no power, timing

[rsobin]

So i just got my head plained and put a new headgasket on.(1992 ka24de) Everything is bolted back toghter and its running pretty poorly. Idles rough and make very little power. I think the problem is with the timing chain(yes i have read everypost that has timing in the title). Im 99% sure the cams and upper chain are right because all of the marks seem to line up correctly. I fear however that the lower chain may be off a notch on the idler gear. I can turn the engine all day and the dot on it never seems to line of with the colored link(black) on the lower chain. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I kinda thought egr leak i have no vacum lines going to it but this was the condition before and it ran fine so i doubt it.

Thanks

[rsobin]

also, the engine seems to miss until around 3000 rpms then seems to smooth out.

Found this post while searching was so funny i couldn't stop laughing on another note.zerothread?id=95780

[180fan]

since you did the job, if you've any doubt on anything you did, it's probably it. another thing it could be is when you pulled on the plugs (injectors more specifically) they could have reseated and not have a great connection. I've had this problem with many cars and could be something a simple wiggle test can figure out.

[rsobin]

i took all the connectors off because i needed to take the intake all the way out to have access to the freeze plugs. They were leaking and needed to be replaced. I kinda damaged the connection right at the knock sensor and was wondering also what affect that could have one me. Im not sure about that timing thing i just think it might have happened and was wondering if there was any possible way to correct it without taking the entire front of the engine off. The colored links on the lower chain(black) never seem to line up with the dot on the gear I spun it around alot so i dunno

Thanks

[180fan]

Nope, you gotta pull the front cover. it'll be a real pita. Yeah you gotta spin it till it lines up. Took me forever to do that too.

[rogoman]

Here's an easy way to check the timing:

First disconnect the ignition coil wire, remove all the spark plugs and remove the valve cover. Have someone tap the starter while you have your thumb over the #1 spark plug hole. Once you feel compression, insure that the block timing pointer at the front pulley is pointing to the zero mark on the pulley. Remove distributor cap and insure that the rotor is pointing to #1 firing position. The #1 piston is now sitting at TDC compression stroke. Here's a picture: