I just finished my motor rebuild and started the engine today and after some hard cranking it finally started (barely). It runs like crap! It shakes at idle and gets worst throughout the rpm range and when I shift into different gears (atx) it acts like it wants to die. When I turn on th a/c it drags the motor down until it dies. There is no CEL light which makes things difficult. I tried to key dance the CEL and see if there was anything there but all I got was 12 (power disconnected to PCM) and 55 (end of code list). The car is a 1995 Eclipse with a 2.0L engine, I had the block bored .20 due to scuffing of the walls due to carbon in the ring lands and I had the entire rotating assembly balanced. The plugs, wires, vacuum lines, fpr, are all new. The timing belt and tensioner are the mechanical one from Parts Dinosaur. I am pretty sure timing is correct because I installed it outside the car and verified the marks lined up after rotating the crankshaft several times. If the car was running this badly wouldn't it throw a code? Since the engine is brand new is it going to run like crap for a little while? What do I do now?

Originally posted by jam013200
The timing belt and tensioner are the mechanical one from Parts Dinosaur. I am pretty sure timing is correct because I installed it outside the car and verified the marks lined up after rotating the crankshaft several times.

nope, i bet its wrong

Originally posted by Star Turbo Talon
nope, i bet its wrong

Seconded.

Thirdeddddd:)

Well, after letting the engine run awhile last night and running the RPM's up and down it finally smoothed out. I guess the rings were still seating? Anyway it seems to run smooth now, I went and filled up with gas and it ran fine. The only thing now is a whine from the power steering pump and the wheel takes some effort to turn, so I guess I will be needing a new pump soon. I guess I did not let the engine warmup or run long enough for it to seat the rings and start producing descent vacuum (my only guess)?

On a side note, since everyone thought the timing was off a little would it not show a code? I looked at the error code list and a code 11 looks like what should have been shown were the timing belt off a little?

Originally posted by jam013200
Well, after letting the engine run awhile last night and running the RPM's up and down it finally smoothed out. I guess the rings were still seating? Anyway it seems to run smooth now, I went and filled up with gas and it ran fine. The only thing now is a whine from the power steering pump and the wheel takes some effort to turn, so I guess I will be needing a new pump soon. I guess I did not let the engine warmup or run long enough for it to seat the rings and start producing descent vacuum (my only guess)? On a side note, since everyone thought the timing was off a little would it not show a code? I looked at the error code list and a code 11 looks like what should have been shown were the timing belt off a little?

If the engine runs fine now, it could have been a few diff things..First thing that would have been more likely, is that you may have had a few valve lifters not fully pump up right away, which means you may have had several valves not opening/closing properly, causing you to be down a cylinder or two. Other thing may have been a fuel injector that was partially clogged/dirty, and it cleaned itself out..just a few ideas that i've run accross before..

Never thought of those, probably very well could have been. Thanks. Oh...and the noisey power steering pump was 1/2 quart low on fluid, filled it up and it is nice and quite. Guess I didn't get it all the way full. Thanks for the help guys.

an 95 most likely will not throw a code for timing being off. My 97 didnt when it was 3 teeth off and idling like crap. 95 ECU's are very tolerant and ignore many things.

How bad is the vacuum? Matt's points make very good sense, although my head when installed was new and i didnt have any issues with lifters pumping up, then again i "prime" them before i install them.

Terry

I'm just glad it runs descent now. Very smooth...even with the urethene(sp?) filled motor mounts in installed with it (probably helps I had the rotating assembly balanced). When it was shaking and hesitant I thought I was going to have to re-do the timing belt after the engine was installed and was freaking out.....I hear that it is a real pain to do when the engine is installed.

Thanks again for all the support I got during my motor rebuild, the knowledge on this site amazes me! Keep it up guys!

Originally posted by Star Turbo Talon
an 95 most likely will not throw a code for timing being off. My 97 didnt when it was 3 teeth off and idling like crap. 95 ECU's are very tolerant and ignore many things.

my 95 threw a code when it jumped one tooth off...

What was the code?

95's throw a code 11. Mine did till I took the CEL bulb out.

I can't bring myself to redo the timing till I get adjustable cam gears.

Tony

mine through a code also, I dont remember if it was cel 11 or not though. All I know is, I paid 900 bucks to fix it. This is of course before I knew anything except an oil change. Now that I think about it, 900 bucks for timing, will makes me sick to my stomach. Damn scammers out there