Ok, got the sucker started. It was idling at like 2000 rpm, and it started climbing slowly. adjusted throttle cable, went down, but is still idling at like 1200. its also making a really high pitched squeaky noise. any ideas? i can't figure it out.

EDIT: and juggalo's post was earlier, before I could get it started.

make sure all the electrical plugs are on all the way. also if you didnt remove the spark plugs, make sure you didnt get oil on the tops of them.

and im pretty sure that the noise isn't from the belts. i only have the alternator belt on for now anyways. it sounds like a screaming more than a squealing. my idle is at around 1200, and if I tap the gas, the revs stay at like 2000 for a couple seconds before they drop back down.

you might have a slight vacuum leak

but that wouldn't cause a squealing/squeaking noise.....would it? This noise is really high pitched, and really loud. My parents could hear it all the way in the basement. Standing next to the car, it hurts my ears because its so high pitched. wheres all the big boys like the1bill, that have a whole shitload of experience?

are you sure your alternator belt isnt overtightened? this itself could cause the high-pitch squeel, or it could be overcharging you electrical system(battery) and that could be making the noise, as it swells.
www.TeamKLR.com
1997 Silver RS
Wiseco 8.8:1 Pistons(back to low compression!)
Eagle Rods
T3/T4 Turbo
Custom FMIC
Greddy Exhaust
440's
Most current 1/8th mile time: 8.3@90mph 2.015 60'(Nitto Drag radials, i suck)

i went to the middle of the belt, and pulled, and it only moved about half an inch or so. it was on there good, but there was a little slack. looked good to me.

can ANYBODY help me? i need to be able do drive my damn car again. this sucks. i cant figure it out. it almost sounds like its coming from the valve cover, or the intake manifold/throttle body area.

it is a vacuum leak between ur head and ur valve cover...yes it would be making a high pitched squealing noise. Do this, go buy a can of carbeurator/throttle body cleaner. Take it and slowly start to spray around where your valve cover seals to the head. when you hit a spot where the engine revs and the rpms go up...u have found your vacuum leak. ur gasket probably just didnt seal correctly or it was damaged when you put it on.

ya know what's wierd? thats exactly what I was thiniking. i let it run for a bit while i listened around and it definately sounded like it was from the valve cover. it was somewhat of a whistling noise, so I figured there was a gap, not to mention the valve cover didn't look like it sealed all the way. i'll try it tomorrow and let you know how it goes, as long is it rains, because that means I won't have to work, since I work at a car wash. and believe me, if that works, your sig picture will get done very soon, and I will make a point to do it right away. thanks for the help.

and also, to anyone who has changed their valve cover gasket, did you put the silicone sealant all the way around, or just on the half seals? and do you have to let it cure completely before starting it up?

Didn't use anything at all except the gasket. I've pulled the valve cover off several times as well.

I just use the proper torque sequence as indicated by the FSM.

I just put sealant on some of the parts where it looked like there wouldnt be a bod seal, but not all over. Just clean the surface good and let the sealant cure for 24 hours. I didnt have a torque wrench that is accurate under 10 pounds so I just used the proper sequence and hand guessed it. It's fine though.

I use the RTV where the book tells you to. Do not put it all the way around the VC. You don't have to wait 24 hours or anything but I would give it some time before you start it up.

well I got it all done, got excited to start it up, and............same exact thing happened. i know i torqued them all right, in the right order and everything. i really thought that that was the problem, since I don't think I torqued them down in the right order last time. i'm completely clueless as to what the problem is.

Check your throttle body gasket, and the gasket in between the two pieces of your intake manifold. i had a leak at my throttle body a while back, and it sounded the exact same way. goodluck man, i know problems you cant fix quickly get frustrating.

1997 Silver RS
Wiseco 8.8:1 Pistons(back to low compression!)
Eagle Rods
T3/T4 Turbo
Custom FMIC
Greddy Exhaust
440's
Most current 1/8th mile time: 8.3@90mph 2.015 60'(Nitto Drag radials, i suck)

Im gunna have to check that tomorrow. Too late tonight. I hope its the throttle body, cuz if it's the intake manifold, thats a bitch to get on and off. How can I be sure that the gaskets are lined up right so it won't happen again, if that is the problem?

Well it's not the throttle body gasket. It sounded a little quieter after that though, but maybe it was just me. I'm noticing a funny smell too. It almost smells like a lawn mower or go kart engine. Could just be because it sat for so long or something. Any more ideas anybody?