I've got no power! :(

[Cameroonski]

Originally Posted by btwilson86

You said you checked your timing... Are you talking about your valve timing or ignition timing or both?

I thought that goes hand in hand? I used a timing gun to adjust the timing on the belt to about 10 or 11.

And thanks krem, i guess it could be the distributor itself, i sure hope not though. It isnt an exhaust clog cuz i have no Cat, so mabe mechanically the distributor is failing. Ill replace the fuel filter with one i have in the next day or two and see if that helps.

[btwilson86]

Originally Posted by Cameroonski

I thought that goes hand in hand? I used a timing gun to adjust the timing on the belt to about 10 or 11.

Not really. The Distributor is directly connected to the exhaust cam, but you still need to verify that the 2 camshafts are timed properly to the crankshaft, and then check your ignition timing again (with the timing light). On the compression stroke, the 2 camshafts have a yellow mark that points straight up (there's a raised line on the cover behind them that you can line them up to) and the crankshaft notch should be right at 0?. Then start the car, idle it to operating temp and shut it off. Put your jumper wire in the diagnostic box and hook up your timing light. Fire the car up and set your base ignition timing to 10? BTDC. Pull the jumper out with the car running and verify that it advances further a couple of degrees, then shut the car off, tighten your dizzy, and disconnect the timing light.

Check here for more info, found this in the MKIII FAQ.

[Cameroonski]

Originally Posted by btwilson86

Not really. The Distributor is directly connected to the exhaust cam, but you still need to verify that the 2 camshafts are timed properly to the crankshaft, and then check your ignition timing again (with the timing light). On the compression stroke, the 2 camshafts have a yellow mark that points straight up (there's a raised line on the cover behind them that you can line them up to) and the crankshaft notch should be right at 0?. Then start the car, idle it to operating temp and shut it off. Put your jumper wire in the diagnostic box and hook up your timing light. Fire the car up and set your base ignition timing to 10? BTDC. Pull the jumper out with the car running and verify that it advances further a couple of degrees, then shut the car off, tighten your dizzy, and disconnect the timing light.

Check here for more info, found this in the MKIII FAQ.

Thanks, i read that and then had my auto teacher look it up in his big CD collection of car information. Ive done the first couple steps, so the cams are lined up right with the crankshaft and the belt is tight. I adjusted the timing by RPMs because i didnt have a light, and its better. Once I get the timing gun ill fine tune it and get back to yall. Power isnt all the way there, but its better.
Thanks!

[cre]

Never adjust timing by RPM or sound... this isn't 1920.

[Cameroonski]

Originally Posted by cre

Never adjust timing by RPM or sound... this isn't 1920.

I didn't have a timing gun and I had to get the car home... so i adjusted the timing by sound, drove it home, and am going to borrow the timing gun to get it right. I know not to do that and then leave it, its just for the time being, pun intended.

[cre]

Okay, just making sure... not the kind of technique you really want spreading around as acceptable. Just don't stomp on it until you get it set properly.

I rather enjoyed the pun, actually.

[Cameroonski]

So i checked the power at the fuel pump connection and it was getting power. So if there was power to it but it wasnt working i figured the pump was bad. So i got it out, and ill be double checking tomorow and mabe try to fix it.

There was a lot of rust and gunk on it and the sock, and there was some that i could see in the old filter. So is there an easy way to de-rust-ify my tank?