sh!tty engine running

[Sgt_Lemon]

Finally sourced what I think the cause of my sh!tty engine running is. The rocker box was leaking air at the back left hand side quite baldy. The cam belt cover had cracked around the join and slid away leaving no pressure pushing the gasket down. Also some of the studs were stripped and not tight. Should hopefully have a smooth running engine by the end of tonight.

[Sgt_Lemon]

I take it back, I have replaced rocker cover gasket to stop leak. Checked timing, replaced dizzy cap as it was f**ked. The car still sounds like a diesel and sounds like it is misfiring. Any ideas of what to check?

[Mr Blue]

Cleaned up the plugs and ignition leads checked?

The rubber bung that seals the air breather to the rocker cover - if that leaks the engine can sound like its running on 3 (sometimes)

[Sgt_Lemon]

Checked plugs and leads (May have accidently zapped myself on the first plug check  ). That breather is a good shout, will check that tomorrow.

[Sgt_Lemon]

Checked the breather and tightened with some improvement. tried putting old ht leads back on and it was running smoother again. Is there a chance it could be the coil? Is there a way to test for it, someone suggested waiting for it to get dark and seeing if the ht circuit is earthing anywhere it shouldn't. The misfire noise has smoothed out slit lay to be replaced with a repeated tinking. All suggestions welcome.

[oakgreener]

Does it run rough all the time, or is just an idling problem? If so check the throttle switches on top of the inlet for broken wires.

[Sgt_Lemon]

It runs rough all the time only when you add throttle it sounds smoother. The best description of what it sounds is a diesel. Is there a way to upload video/ audio clips?

[Sgt_Lemon]

Decided to go back and start with the static timing, the dizzy was 180 out while the cam was 15 degree off also. I'm nut sure how it got so far out, is there a trick for getting tension on the cam belt over the cam sprocket without going a slightly out again, I want to be 100% sure this time.

[Sgt_Lemon]

Static timing don end car running much better, much less shaking. There is a loud metal tapping noise going on though, what's this?

[oakgreener]

I'm not sure on this.....The cambelt has a tensioner pulley below the camshaft sprocket. Is the cambelt tensioned correctly. Did the belt jump the sprocket. If it did that is most likely your tapping noise. You'll have to remove the rocker cover and make sure you've not bent a valve.