I've been trying to find out why my car won't idle well for quite a while. Lately the engine has a "tick" as well - even after adjusting the rocker clearances.
Finally did the dollar bill trick. I held a dollar bill with both hands stretched across the tail pipe - and sure enough it "pops" back and forth against the pipe. I assume this means my exhaust valve is burned and is causing my idle rough.
I checked the compression and it's good as far as I can tell. On a hot engine, I propped the accellerator down, removed all plugs and disconnected the coil to the distributor. Cranked the engine for a while to test each cylinder. Results are 150-160 psi. I cranked it pretty good and took the test a few times - these are my highest readings. Some of my readings were as low as 142 if I didn't crank it over a lot. I assume you crank as long as you get the highest reading? Can you get a false reading if you crank too much?
Does this mean I need a valve job - absolutly? Or is there something else that can cause my dollar bill test to "pop"?
Would seafoam work in this problem and what is the best way to use it? Down the crank case, or through the carbs, or should I let it suck it through the intake vacuum line?
Thanks for the help!!
Finally did the dollar bill trick. I held a dollar bill with both hands stretched across the tail pipe - and sure enough it "pops" back and forth against the pipe. I assume this means my exhaust valve is burned and is causing my idle rough.
I checked the compression and it's good as far as I can tell. On a hot engine, I propped the accellerator down, removed all plugs and disconnected the coil to the distributor. Cranked the engine for a while to test each cylinder. Results are 150-160 psi. I cranked it pretty good and took the test a few times - these are my highest readings. Some of my readings were as low as 142 if I didn't crank it over a lot. I assume you crank as long as you get the highest reading? Can you get a false reading if you crank too much?
Does this mean I need a valve job - absolutly? Or is there something else that can cause my dollar bill test to "pop"?
Would seafoam work in this problem and what is the best way to use it? Down the crank case, or through the carbs, or should I let it suck it through the intake vacuum line?
Thanks for the help!!