Around the end of January I was returning from Phoenix in my Town Car. The Smog/AC belt was squealing, but I was surprised when just past the California border my alternator pulley worked itself loose and threw the belt. Got that patched up and continued home, but as I started the engine after getting gas it started to surge, higher and lower until it finally choked itself out and died. I started it up again and it held steady at idle, so I proceeded to drive several hours more down the freeway. As I got off onto a surface road I came to a stop again and noticed the same surge starting again, but not wanting to be stranded at night in the Mojave I didn't wait around to see what happened.
Fast forward to the present, I've had the car pulled apart for the last couple months as I take my sweet time working on the engine. I've replaced both belts, removed and reinstalled the fan for cleaning, replaced the idler pulley, pulled and reinstalled the ignition coil, cleaned all the plastic intake stuff leading up to the throttle body, and removed the smog pump pulley. So I try starting the car this morning for the first time in ages, and it starts fine but immediately runs quite rough. Not really surging like before but more just sputtery. And the engine is moving a good deal - the whole car is shaking with it. After a few seconds I tried giving it some throttle, but didn't notice any real response from the engine. It sounded like it was going to sputter out and die, but I cut the ignition before that happened. Things smelled pretty rich afterward.
So I thought about everything I'd done and it seemed the only thing I did that might have this effect was the smog pump. I figured I could throw the pulley and belt back on and see if it made a difference. And the smog pump squeals, which makes me think it was going bad along with the idler above it, but having put it back in service the engine is still idling quite rough. It might be running a little better, but it's hard to say. I only ran it for another 10-15 seconds after reinstalling the pulley and after I cut the ignition again the garage was a little smokey.
Auto mechanics is pretty new to me and up until now I've only messed with accessories and less critical stuff. But the nearest mechanic is over 35 miles away, and I'd like to take a shot at this before turning it over to someone whose labor costs more than $0. My first thought in January when the issue appeared to be surging at idle was an issue with air intake, like the TPS or IAC or throttle body. And maybe that issue continues to be present, but the engine shake and rich smell made me wonder whether there was also a timing or ignition issue now too. Though I hadn't touched the distributor and I'm pretty sure the coil wire is on as snug as it'll get. The plugs, wires, cap, rotor, and distributor are all new, installed within the last 6 months.
How might I go about diagnosing this? I have a few thoughts, but with no real personal experience I don't want to jump in blindly and accidentally screw things up more.
Fast forward to the present, I've had the car pulled apart for the last couple months as I take my sweet time working on the engine. I've replaced both belts, removed and reinstalled the fan for cleaning, replaced the idler pulley, pulled and reinstalled the ignition coil, cleaned all the plastic intake stuff leading up to the throttle body, and removed the smog pump pulley. So I try starting the car this morning for the first time in ages, and it starts fine but immediately runs quite rough. Not really surging like before but more just sputtery. And the engine is moving a good deal - the whole car is shaking with it. After a few seconds I tried giving it some throttle, but didn't notice any real response from the engine. It sounded like it was going to sputter out and die, but I cut the ignition before that happened. Things smelled pretty rich afterward.
So I thought about everything I'd done and it seemed the only thing I did that might have this effect was the smog pump. I figured I could throw the pulley and belt back on and see if it made a difference. And the smog pump squeals, which makes me think it was going bad along with the idler above it, but having put it back in service the engine is still idling quite rough. It might be running a little better, but it's hard to say. I only ran it for another 10-15 seconds after reinstalling the pulley and after I cut the ignition again the garage was a little smokey.
Auto mechanics is pretty new to me and up until now I've only messed with accessories and less critical stuff. But the nearest mechanic is over 35 miles away, and I'd like to take a shot at this before turning it over to someone whose labor costs more than $0. My first thought in January when the issue appeared to be surging at idle was an issue with air intake, like the TPS or IAC or throttle body. And maybe that issue continues to be present, but the engine shake and rich smell made me wonder whether there was also a timing or ignition issue now too. Though I hadn't touched the distributor and I'm pretty sure the coil wire is on as snug as it'll get. The plugs, wires, cap, rotor, and distributor are all new, installed within the last 6 months.
How might I go about diagnosing this? I have a few thoughts, but with no real personal experience I don't want to jump in blindly and accidentally screw things up more.
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