Dumb Alternator... + Possibly Head Gasket Troubles Now... FML!

[SCT]

So for a while now ever since I moved the alternator around when I last changed the belt, my RPM gauge would act up between 1k and 3k like there are spikes in the sensor although the engine ran fine.

Anyways, today I got around replacing my exhaust manifold because one of the stud to nut the downpipe had broke when I replaced my whole exhaust piping. The work went fine, start it, moved it out the shop to get ready to leave. I go back out to the car, I left it running, got in and notice the battery and brake light flickering. I was like WTF... So I turned the car off to take a look if I had snagged a wire, wouldn't start back up. Got a jumpbox, did nothing, battery was good. After trying the jumpbox, turning the key to start, the starter gear can be heard spinning but was not punching out to the flywheel. Here's the weird part, at the START position, the fan would come on, the hi-beam indicator and both left and right turn signal indicators would fully light up (not flash).

So I figured if anything I did budge the alternator connector a bit from working on the exhaust manifold. I go to jiggle it a bit, tried to start, it started like nothing happend. Plus, the RPM has not act up...

weird, eh? Like the alternator is one of the major part of the brain or something. I seriously thought at first it could've been the ECU somehow got fried because I smelled smoke when I first opened the hood to investigate the bat/brake light flicker. But the smoke smell AND SMOKE was coming from the anti-sieze I had used on some of the bolts.

... I hate remanned parts sometimes.

[eage8]

I have a 4af alternater I'll sell you for cheap

[SCT]

I would've said I'm interested... still am! However, now I have a bigger problem... FML...

I think my head gasket is now blown! Or could just be the distributor stemming from yesterday, but for some reason, I have a doubt.

I drove to Va today to work on a Ferrari, ran fine (my car). After I got done, started it and it didn't sound right, a putt after every few seconds. Didn't think nothing of it. On the drive home, it lagged power. The closer I got to home, the worse. I had to get gas so I stopped in Beltsville. The car wouldn't restart. The engine was turning over with super ease, a few putts here and there. My friend happend to show up there so I talked to her for a minute, when I went to start my car to show her what was wrong, it fired up but just not right away (maybe after 4 or 5 full rotations). Managed to drive it home, where I am now. I tried to restart it to see if it would, only managed to get one run. And that one run, it miss fired throughout. Revved it up, still missfired. After that, any restarts, engine turns over and over and over for nothing but maybe a putt here and there.

No overheat, haven't checked the oil or rad yet for any signs of milk. Haven't check for sparks yet to see if it's the dizzy (which I hope is).

... FML...

And the 20V is no where near done and it wasn't meant to replace the 4AF when it blows up.

[Flashmn]

weird, eh? Like the alternator is one of the major part of the brain or something.

Well it is a big part of the charging system.

I think your ignitor/coil crapped out on you, hence no start. BTDT, had to get my mom to tow me home with her benz from the local supermarket parkinglot...

Reason why I believe it is that is this:
[img]my RPM gauge would act up between 1k and 3k like there are spikes in the sensor although the engine ran fine.[/img]
Usually ignitor failure does that when it warms up.

[SCT]

I'm actually hoping it is the distributor because it's been doing that for a while now.

I just don't know why it does it now not even a day after I get my exhaust fully replaced.... Fix one thing, another is waiting... I'm in my happy mood though. Humor in misfortune

[Flashmn]

These are old cars so what can you expect.

[SCT]

Originally Posted by Flashmn

These are old cars so what can you expect.

I know. I should be used to it now. By the time all said and done, I may have a fully rebuilt AE92.

[eage8]

I already sold my 4A-F dizzy to someone else :-P. But there should be tons in crazy rays... simple enough to go pick one up for cheap and give it a try.

I was just there yesterday

[SCT]

Ok, so I put in an order for a remanned distributor that I still have to go pick up.... $200.

Anyways, I've taken a look at the car for the first time since it went bizerk.... IT'S MY TIMING BELT!

For sure, no spark at any of the plug wires. Could be distributor but I checked to see if the cam shaft move. It doesn't which brings it down to the timing belt

The timing belt is exactly 2 years old with only less than 40k miles. Not exactly sure why it would fail so early. But it could be just the idler pulley that somehow gotten loose, I'm quite sure the timing belt didn't snap. It "slowly" died. Took about 5 starts, the 6 was the last straw. Each start, the car ran worse and worse with each.

So now, I have to tear apart the timing belt side... The same time two years ago, the timing belt snapped on me, died right there and then accelerating from a green light. Of any time, it would be during the cold.

[Flashmn]

[SCT]

Conclusion:



Missing teeths and dry rot all over. About 35954 miles/ 2 years on the belt. The car manage to start and run 3 times before it no longer could in front of my house. How lucky.

The timing belt is from Pepboys. DynaFlex brand about $20 bucks.

I'm changing my water pump as well. I half-assed it before and didn't put in a gasket, only sealant. It's leaks a bit ever since, so since I have access to it now, I might just well go full throttle and re do it.