SR20 problems, help plox!

[HerePiggyPiggy]

I have a s14 SR20DET, My problem is that my engine wont stay running. I'm running a Walbro 255 Fuel Pump, z32 fuel filter, and a z32 MAF. The engine starts up sloppy and responds very slowly. My spark plugs are gaped to .32, i've check my spark plugs after my car dies and it smells like its running rich. My timing is spot on and i don't think i have a boost leak. I am out of ideas. help?

p.s. i get a kocking noise in head while the car is running, not a bad knock, just ticks.

Thanks in advance.

[kouki munster]

Do you have something done to the ecu to compensate for the z32 maf?

[Hoffman5982]

^This.

The knocking sound could be the VTC Gear/Solenoid, which is common for the s14 sr. Or, it could in fact be a knock due to bearings or rods or valves. Unplug the solenoid and see if the sound goes away.

[HerePiggyPiggy]

Do you have something done to the ecu to compensate for the z32 maf?

Did not know that. so i need to have the ecu tuned? #noob

The knocking sound could be the VTC Gear/Solenoid, which is common for the s14 sr. Or, it could in fact be a knock due to bearings or rods or valves. Unplug the solenoid and see if the sound goes away.

So i just have to deal with the ticking sound? i doubt it's my valves, hopefully.

[Fenris]

for a z32 maf you need a tune, injectors bigger than 370cc need a tune, and as i remember it, anything bigger than a stock turbo needs a tune, and likely the other things on this list.

In some Subaru's its a bad idea to change the intake and exhaust without a tune.

[Hoffman5982]

On these cars you don't need a tune for intake and exhaust.

Yes, you definitely need a tune for the MAF. And I wouldn't just live with the tick unless you knew for sure it was just the VTC gear. Do a compression test. Does it go away at a certain rpm?

[HerePiggyPiggy]

So i guess the ticking is the VTC gear...FRSport has it for $380. more cash being dumped...is there any alternative to fixing the ticking noise or can i leave it for now? Also i'm picking up my new SR maf tomorrow then i can see if that was my problem.

[kouki munster]

Unplugging the vtc solenoid won't make a difference as the vtc is not active at idle(has to be above 1050 rpm) and will not activate until the engine warms up(coolant temp above 122* F). Your best bet to confirm that the vtc gear is the source of the noise is put power to the vtc solenoid with the engine running, if the ticking stops or changes(will most likely stop, but depending on how far gone the vtc gear is it may just quiet down) then it is the vtc gear that is the problem.

[HerePiggyPiggy]

Unplugging the vtc solenoid won't make a difference as the vtc is not active at idle(has to be above 1050 rpm) and will not activate until the engine warms up(coolant temp above 122* F). Your best bet to confirm that the vtc gear is the source of the noise is put power to the vtc solenoid with the engine running, if the ticking stops or changes(will most likely stop, but depending on how far gone the vtc gear is it may just quiet down) then it is the vtc gear that is the problem.

Okay, i'll try that in the morning. Ill just run the VTC unplugged and see if the ticking goes away. so it doesnt really matter if the VTC gear is plugged in or not, right? #nub

[kouki munster]

Reread my post, I said that unplugging the solenoid will not do anything as the vtc is not active until the coolant temp is above 122* F and the rpm is above 1050. You need to put power to the solenoid while the car is running by connecting the positive terminal on the battery to one pin on the solenoid, and connect the other pin to the negative terminal on the battery or any piece of bare metal on the engine.

[HerePiggyPiggy]

Ok, so i did as you said and yes it's the solenoid, easy fix. on the other hand, i tried 2 different SR maf's and i still can't get the car running correctly. Weird thing is, the z32 maf held a better idle than the 2 SR maf's; idle and throttle is still REALLY sloppy. i re did the timing for the third time and made sure it was at TDC, two black chain links at 11 and 1 , also the cam angle sensor is aligned correctly. Any other ideas?

p.s. i have a fresh wire harness from wiring specialties. i pray its not the harness but, could be?

[kouki munster]

If the ticking changed or went away when you put power to the solenoid then the solenoid isn't the problem it is the vtc gear.

At this point you are best off finding a s14 sr fsm on line and going through the check procedures for all the sensors; tps, cts, maf, ect... and try to figure out what is causing the problem instead of blindly throwing money at it hoping that it fixes it. Also double check for vacuum leaks and make sure that everything (vac. lines, iac hose, ic pipes, ect....)is securely connected.

[blkvrtswp]

Post the part number for the S14 SR MAF you have - it's so easy to get the wrong one.

The S13 SR one will not work on S14 SR, neither will the SOHC KA one.

[HerePiggyPiggy]

Thanks everyone! i figured it out, i guess i had real bad luck with MAF's. i learned that S14 SR's have 2 different maf's. #nub. i got the right one in and redid the timing and BOOM! it started. now my last problem is why my cluster isnt working. i had my SOHC one in and nothing worked. i put in a DOHC one and the RPM works, but nothing else. the fuel and temp needle does not move. The MPH moves but the reading is incorrect. i'm thinking about switching out the speed sensor on the transmission. Thoughts?

btw if you guys are curious, this is how my car sits as of now.

no, not outside. ;D