KA24DE running rough...Timing?

[emersonLP]

So I am trying to fix this 1993 Altima for my friend. The car broke down and she had it towed to a mechanic who quoted her like $600+ to replace her distributor. I said I would do it for her and I slapped the new one in. Now it runs great above 2000 RPM, but below that its rough and kindof jerky. I figured it was the timing, but I just checked and it looks right. There are 5 marks and it looks like it's set on the farthest mark to the front of the car (remember its FWD)....

[69datsun510]

Here you go, picture of timing marks on the pully. I have the same problem, I think. I have a too rich condition causing the misfire at low rpm. I have replaced spark plug, wires, cap, and rotor. I swithced out a motor in my car that had a blown motor. I put in a motor from a running car, only difference I replaced all of the timing chains and gears. I checked all my timing and not the problem. Oh in future check searches, ie "timing marks". Some members are anal about info on threads already covering issues. It gets you those red squares for your rep. LOL
http://www.240sx.org/faq/articles/pics/timing01.jpg

[emersonLP]

Thanks for the pic, the other pic I had was less clear. I did plenty of searching and I'm 99% sure I have the timing set correctly. Its just so damn hard to see down there on a FWD KA...Any other suggestions as to why this altima runs poorly below 2k?

[69datsun510]

I would make sure you have a new cap, rotor, plugs, and wires. Start with the cap and rotor. My son's car was running fine. I took off the cap to compare his motor to the motor I have current problems with. I put the cap on and it started to misfire. I was with two motors with a misfire!! He told me it has been acting wierd, missing at mid rpm range. I replaced the cap and rotor, they looked worn. The new rotor and cap fixed his problem. Sure beats replacing a distributor. I still have the misfire with the other car. It has a too rich condition with the misfire.

[snappy]

The same thing is happening to my car- it shakes and misfires at idle. I got all new spark plugs and wires, but is still does it. I also did a compression test and all cylinders came back at 150. I also put in a remanufactured head with new valves- the works, after I warped my previous head.

Someone told me to take out the spark plug wires one at a time while the car was running to see if there was one cylinder that was causing a problem and when I took out spark plug wire #4 there was no change, while the other cylinders drop in rpms when the wire was removed.

It happened all of the sudden about 2 months ago, do you think it could be the timing? I had it toned about a 2 years ago... Any thoughts would be great.

[leveloneae86]

Originally Posted by snappy

The same thing is happening to my car- it shakes and misfires at idle. I got all new spark plugs and wires, but is still does it. I also did a compression test and all cylinders came back at 150. I also put in a remanufactured head with new valves- the works, after I warped my previous head.

Someone told me to take out the spark plug wires one at a time while the car was running to see if there was one cylinder that was causing a problem and when I took out spark plug wire #4 there was no change, while the other cylinders drop in rpms when the wire was removed.

It happened all of the sudden about 2 months ago, do you think it could be the timing? I had it toned about a 2 years ago... Any thoughts would be great.

i know this thread is old but it might help out some people. if there was no change on #4 it could possibly mean that the injecto ma be dead or ur not getting spark in #4.

[snappy]

hmm.... All 4 wires are sparking on my engine. Could it be that im not getting enough voltage?

[emersonLP]

Wow I forgot completely about this thread. Since its been dug up. I double checked the timing again and maybe tweaked the timing a little (I don't remember for sure), changed out the spark plugs and the car ran like a champ.