what would be the symptoms of a burnt valve or a stuck/sticking lifter?

[brobs is back]

i think this may be my problem..
can someone describe what this may be like on a carb'd 1.5?

my car will run semi decent yet a little uneven if that makes sense.. when it's cold..
it will have an intermittent pop or weird slow spot in running

as it warms up this gets worse.. to the point you can barely drive it.
it will be hesitating and stuttering.. randomly.

so do these symptoms sound like a burnt valve or a sticking lifter?
i thought at first it was an ignition problem or fuel problem but i am thinking that it's not.

[brobs is back]

i just double checked the timing it's dead on

i'm thinking this has to be a problem with either the head or the ignition system somehow..
if it was a head problem it wouldn't be intermittent would it??

[WackyWabbitRacer]

Do compression and leakdown tests to determine the integrity of the valves.

Cheers, WWR.

[brobs is back]

i don't have those tools available to me right now..

[envi]

Check the carb. Maybe a choke problem?

[brobs is back]

the choke is working properly..
this is a really odd popping and hesitation

maybe too much play in the valves and they don't seat all the way? i have no idea on this one it's driving me crazy..
although at the same time i have the feeling it could be something like the jet on my carb is too small and the fuel is vaporizing when it gets really warm
the carb came pre-jetted for a stock 1.5.. maybe mine needs a bigger jet? all i have is a free flowing exhaust..

i still have some ignition parts to change (changing to completely electronic ignition and adding a ballast before the coil) but the way the car is running it feels like an engine problem not ignition...


Modified by brobs is back at 3:22 PM 11-29-2008

[spasticone]

Doesn't autozone loan a compression tester? I got one and a leak down set from Harbor freight for like 30 bucks. The compression testers are around $10-25 from autoparts stores. Might be worth the investment .

[brobs is back]

good call
they have a leakdown tester too?

[tosoutherncars]

Sounds more like a coil going bad or something similar... but yes, a compression / leakdown test might tell the tale. You might also want to get one of those see-through spark testers ($4 or so), might help you diagnose an ignition problem.

[clanton1.8T]

doesnt sound like fun

[eurowner]

Quote, originally posted by WackyWabbitRacer »

Do compression and leakdown tests to determine the integrity of the valves. Cheers, WWR.

[brobs is back]

Quote, originally posted by tosoutherncars »

Sounds more like a coil going bad or something similar... but yes, a compression / leakdown test might tell the tale. You might also want to get one of those see-through spark testers ($4 or so), might help you diagnose an ignition problem.

yeah it sounds and feels more like an ignition problem

i have a hot spark kit on the way with an MSD ballast we will see if that solves it..
if it doesn't more testing will ensue..

i think i'm going to buy a mk2 to drive because this one is was supposed to be my winter car but is basically out of commission, and my mk3 is garaged for the winter.. and we just got like a half foot of snow

why does this **** have to happen at times like this?