Help!! Engine Miss

Ben Kallies · 01-25-2012, 06:01 AM

Alan,

I was moving toward a possible mechanical issue because I thought that I had eliminated any electrical possibilities, but it sounds like there could still be a gremlin lurking somewhere affecting the ignition. As bad as the miss is, particularly under load, I would expect that if it were a mechanical issue, it would show itself more readily. Maybe I'm wrong.

Regarding whether or not the miss can be isolated to one or two cylinders: I've pulled the plugs a number of times and I don't see anything that screams out as being an offending cylinder.

I like the idea of hooking up a voltmeter to the 12 V sources. I'll add that to my list. Thanks again for your input.

Ed,

I'll be honest, I can't quite envision what you're suggesting. I don't have an undampened vacuum gauge, but I'd consider getting one if it could help me isolate the issue. Is there somewhere I can go to see this setup in action? Thanks for the tip.

Adger,

I was suggesting exactly what you stated, that it's running rich due to an unburned mixture. Maybe I'm wrong, but I assume that if my problem was purely a vacuum leak, then I'd actually be running a bit lean as opposed to rich? The carbon tip on the distributor cap looks brand new. Thanks.

-Ben

01-25-2012, 06:01 AM	#11
Ben Kallies Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 107 Likes: 2 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Help!! Engine Miss Alan, I was moving toward a possible mechanical issue because I thought that I had eliminated any electrical possibilities, but it sounds like there could still be a gremlin lurking somewhere affecting the ignition. As bad as the miss is, particularly under load, I would expect that if it were a mechanical issue, it would show itself more readily. Maybe I'm wrong. Regarding whether or not the miss can be isolated to one or two cylinders: I've pulled the plugs a number of times and I don't see anything that screams out as being an offending cylinder. I like the idea of hooking up a voltmeter to the 12 V sources. I'll add that to my list. Thanks again for your input. Ed, I'll be honest, I can't quite envision what you're suggesting. I don't have an undampened vacuum gauge, but I'd consider getting one if it could help me isolate the issue. Is there somewhere I can go to see this setup in action? Thanks for the tip. Adger, I was suggesting exactly what you stated, that it's running rich due to an unburned mixture. Maybe I'm wrong, but I assume that if my problem was purely a vacuum leak, then I'd actually be running a bit lean as opposed to rich? The carbon tip on the distributor cap looks brand new. Thanks. -Ben