Ka24de runs bad after i replaced timing chains etc....

[Dustin792]

Hello everyone , i just bought a 1990 240sx with a ka24de(pretty sure its 91-94 s13 motor). when i bought it sounded like a timing chain rattle (but it ran decent enough to drive around without problems), i opened it up and the top guide wasnt there but the guide on the right was , also the bottom tensioner needed to be replaced. so i ended up replacing both chains(double row) , both tensioners, and both bottom guides and i removed the top side guide( because the top guides were discontinued and are no longer needed). anyways when i replaced the timing i made sure i was on TDC compression stroke with cam lobes facing out. i made all my marks and replaced everything how it was before and torqued everything to specs. replaced covers and pan with no leaks. replaced distributor and made sure it was pointing #1 cylinder at TDC. So when i start the vehicle it runs pretty well at idle then when it starts to warm up it gets bumpy , idle starts to diverse up and down and the engines starts to sound like its choking. i tried to drive it (it moved but it boggles and backfires my friend even fire came out lol) it ended up not starting again, so i removed egi and egi pump relays cranked it , it started and then died , replaced relays then it started up again. i replaced spark plugs. rotor, cap, and fuel filter, and it didnt get better. Also when i bought it came without an egr-bpt valve , just plugged vacuum lines and T splitters for vacuum lines. the clutch slips pretty bad but i dont think that will matetr much. I appreciate any help i have been at this for a week now and have done alot of research and dont know what else to try, any help would be great thanks alot and have a good one

[juvenile138]

Did you advance the timing after the first time it warmed up with a timing light?

Check your FSM, if you dont have one I can send it to you, initial timing setup sounds correct but then you have to advance it, not sure about KA's but I know SR's is 15/16 degrees off TDC

I have an FSM for a KA all years, let me know.

[Dustin792]

i never put a timing light to it, but im pretty sure stock ka24de timing is 20 degrees, i tried advancing and retarding the distributor on the tooth its on. but never with a timing light. i think i have the fsm pdf format.

[juvenile138]

The timing light should also verify that you had the gears and distributor lined up properly when you installed everything,

You can get one for cheap or borrow one, but I would definately check the timing with a light before I did anything else

[Dustin792]

ya ive benn meaning to do that just dont have transportation i see what i can do , thanks alot ill check it out

[vancouverbc]

check timing trouble shoot in tutorials. i use a timing light but it doesnt really help much. you just listen to engine. see timing light tutorial.

[Dustin792]

to be honest im not sure what to listen for , but i found a timing light in the garage but its really old and it doesnt have a gauge/dial on the light and theres no clamp for the wire but theres a 2 prone instrument , i think its supposed to fit between the coil and line to distributor or #1 spark plug wire and distributor ? can i use this? thanks for the help

[juvenile138]

yea I dont know, timing light's especially cheap ones are kinda fragile so you may want to check a local parts store or mechanic to see if they can loan you one or buy a cheap one, I think like $20 should get one, usually there is a clamp for the signal induction off the 1st spark plug wire and then a positive and negative clamp for the battery to power it. crank the engine. let it warm up and idle at the correct RPM as stated by service manuals, then you adjust the distributor or whatever to the correct timing, while watching the strobe light pointed at your crank pulley and see where the marks on the pulley are crossing under the pointer.

Ive only set the timing on SR20's with rotating the crank sensor, Im sure its a similar procedure with the distributor on a KA, SR20's dont have distributor's.Well, the "DET"s don't anyway,hope this helps

[Dustin792]

so i got a timing light and it was 0ff by 10 degrees (stock was 20 degrees last notch on pulley), distributor was off a tooth, runs better then before and now i have a tune up as well lol thanks alot for the help guys i appreciate it

[juvenile138]

sweet, glad I could help