KA24DE issues

[I Am Chris]

Alright so I am new here and just wondering what everyones input is. My 240 has issues lately with a slightly rough idle, sounds like the car is sputtering(Could mainly be from exhaust leak.), and having backfiring(Also exhaust leak I believe). The only thing is that the car only does then when its warm, and it also smells like its running rich.

I just replaced the CTS yesterday and that helped a little with running rich issue. I have checked 2 separate times for vacuum leaks, Checked the MAF and its working, Unplugged each plug wire and yes the engine bogs down so I know all cylinders are firing. Now I am stuck and dont know what to do. What do you all think?

Oh yea and I have searched everywhere with no outcome, this includes FSM and Chilton manuals.

[muscleinc1320]

fix the exhaust leak to get that problem solved. hard to listen for other problems when all you hear is an exhaust tick lol. have you check the plugs to see if they look burned or smell like fuel? have you check for any codes? also make sure your timing is good. oh another thing could be the egr giving you problems. most cars dont have there emission stuff kick on until the car reaches operating temp.

[I Am Chris]

Well I have a temp fix on the exhaust, I blew a gasket at the test pipe so I temp fixed it with high heat silicone until I can get a new gasket. As for EGR I believe its removed on the motor from when I got it. The plugs are pretty much new, have like 15 miles on them, the old ones were fouled and black from running too rich.

I have yet to check the timing but I have rotated the distributor and got it running as smooth as possible.

[muscleinc1320]

well try the timing thing and see how it goes. i believe it 15btc for manuals and 20btc for autos with. remember to disconnect the tps when you set the timing and the car has to be at operating temp. there is no check engine light? and all the old spark plugs looked the same? by that i mean one wasnt way more burnt then the others. if so u could have a leaking injector. if thats not it idk what to tell ya. it has to be timing or vac leak. you could try doing a vac test on it to double check.

[I Am Chris]

I think I will try timing it tomorrow thanks for that part. And as for the other things, there is no CEL, and yes the old plugs all looked the same. Leaky injector was one of my guesses too but not it doesnt seem to be running rich anymore. I will have to look to see if I have the tools to check the vacuum.

Another thing I was thinking of trying was to adjust the idle but I dont know if that is going to do any good. And as for timing, if I am running a manual with an auto ecu which should I time for? My guess is auto.

[muscleinc1320]

i would assume tuning for an auto would be fine. you could just make adjustments as need. vac gauges arent that expensive like 20 buck or so. your tps should be set from factory unless it has been removed for some reason. but i dont think your tps being off would only make your car run rich. it would idle problems too.

[I Am Chris]

Alright, so pretty much while timing it, unplug the TPS, get it timed back in while at operating temp, and the replug the TPS. I have the manual so I can make sure but I am guessing that is what you are telling?

[muscleinc1320]

yea thats all you got to do