Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » [GMCnet] very high idle... bad distributor... engine killer (?)
| [GMCnet] very high idle... bad distributor... engine killer (?) [message #345581] |
Sat, 20 July 2019 19:55  |
Ek_Lektro
Messages: 167
Registered: March 2011
Karma: 2
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On the way home from jumping the starter with a screwdriver 10 days ago
i was experiencing a very high idle when coming to a stop at traffic lights.
It didn’t seem like a stuck accelerator cable, and considering the uncertainty of being able
to get it started again at the side of the road, we just made our way home through LA rush-hour traffic.
So now that its starting up properly in the driveway, i was looking further into that acceleration phenomena
and consulted with Miguel at MGM GMC who told me to take a look at the distributor, and see if the weights
are snapping back, or if they’re frozen up with rust, etc.
Well, the little “weights” on top seem to move just fine, but lo and behold, the part just underneath it
(centrifuge advance?) feels really gummy, and needs to be manually moved back by hand.
Comparing these to the distributor on the ’78 Eleganza, there’s definitely an issue here with the Birchhaven.
(Nice call Miguel!). I tried a little WD40 sprayed in from the top (not wanting to remove the distributor just yet,
not without a plan), and this doesn’t seem to be helping. Not wanting to skimp when it comes to vital parts,
i’d just assume order a distributor at Napa #48-1892 Reman Distributor (NRD) (75-76) and drop it in on monday.
With this part number listed on the GMCMI parts index, Is this indeed the recommended part to drop in?
Or… Is it worth one’s time trying to clean and lubricate my original? It was running pretty smooth up until the acceleration phenomena.
I know that if i’m replacing, i should also do the cap and rotor… probably time for the wires… check the plugs…
Hopefully no damage was done to the engine on the 1 hour drive home that day!
Any quick advice appreciated, thanks
Greg / SolarSonic / Los Angeles
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| Re: [GMCnet] very high idle... bad distributor... engine killer (?) [message #345582 is a reply to message #345581] |
Sat, 20 July 2019 20:05  |
jimk
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
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Don't think any damage.
Pull the distributor and take it apart and clean and use sun grease and
reassemble
On Sat, Jul 20, 2019 at 5:55 PM Ek Lektro via Gmclist <
gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
> On the way home from jumping the starter with a screwdriver 10 days ago
> i was experiencing a very high idle when coming to a stop at traffic
> lights.
> It didn’t seem like a stuck accelerator cable, and considering the
> uncertainty of being able
> to get it started again at the side of the road, we just made our way home
> through LA rush-hour traffic.
>
> So now that its starting up properly in the driveway, i was looking
> further into that acceleration phenomena
> and consulted with Miguel at MGM GMC who told me to take a look at the
> distributor, and see if the weights
> are snapping back, or if they’re frozen up with rust, etc.
> Well, the little “weights” on top seem to move just fine, but lo and
> behold, the part just underneath it
> (centrifuge advance?) feels really gummy, and needs to be manually moved
> back by hand.
> Comparing these to the distributor on the ’78 Eleganza, there’s definitely
> an issue here with the Birchhaven.
> (Nice call Miguel!). I tried a little WD40 sprayed in from the top (not
> wanting to remove the distributor just yet,
> not without a plan), and this doesn’t seem to be helping. Not wanting to
> skimp when it comes to vital parts,
> i’d just assume order a distributor at Napa #48-1892 Reman Distributor
> (NRD) (75-76) and drop it in on monday.
> With this part number listed on the GMCMI parts index, Is this indeed the
> recommended part to drop in?
> Or… Is it worth one’s time trying to clean and lubricate my original? It
> was running pretty smooth up until the acceleration phenomena.
> I know that if i’m replacing, i should also do the cap and rotor… probably
> time for the wires… check the plugs…
>
> Hopefully no damage was done to the engine on the 1 hour drive home that
> day!
> Any quick advice appreciated, thanks
>
> Greg / SolarSonic / Los Angeles
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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jimk@appliedairfilters.com
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1-800-752-7502
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| Re: [GMCnet] very high idle... bad distributor... engine killer (?) [message #345583 is a reply to message #345582] |
Sat, 20 July 2019 20:20 |
James Hupy
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
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Senior Member |
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WD-40 is not a lubricant. Principal ingredient is stoddard solvent. Parts
cleaner. Use a volatile chemical that evaporates quickly, Brake-Kleen is
one that I use. Spray it in the distributor, chase it with compressed air.
Use the tip of a small screwdriver, dip it in silicone grease, and
sparingly apply it to the phenolic buttons the weights rest on. The springs
should return the weights easily, without sticking. No joy, repeat until
success is at hand. Usually no need for a replacement distributor.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or
On Sat, Jul 20, 2019, 6:06 PM Jim Kanomata via Gmclist <
gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
> Don't think any damage.
> Pull the distributor and take it apart and clean and use sun grease and
> reassemble
>
> On Sat, Jul 20, 2019 at 5:55 PM Ek Lektro via Gmclist gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
>
>> On the way home from jumping the starter with a screwdriver 10 days ago
>> i was experiencing a very high idle when coming to a stop at traffic
>> lights.
>> It didn’t seem like a stuck accelerator cable, and considering the
>> uncertainty of being able
>> to get it started again at the side of the road, we just made our way
> home
>> through LA rush-hour traffic.
>>
>> So now that its starting up properly in the driveway, i was looking
>> further into that acceleration phenomena
>> and consulted with Miguel at MGM GMC who told me to take a look at the
>> distributor, and see if the weights
>> are snapping back, or if they’re frozen up with rust, etc.
>> Well, the little “weights” on top seem to move just fine, but lo and
>> behold, the part just underneath it
>> (centrifuge advance?) feels really gummy, and needs to be manually moved
>> back by hand.
>> Comparing these to the distributor on the ’78 Eleganza, there’s
> definitely
>> an issue here with the Birchhaven.
>> (Nice call Miguel!). I tried a little WD40 sprayed in from the top (not
>> wanting to remove the distributor just yet,
>> not without a plan), and this doesn’t seem to be helping. Not wanting to
>> skimp when it comes to vital parts,
>> i’d just assume order a distributor at Napa #48-1892 Reman Distributor
>> (NRD) (75-76) and drop it in on monday.
>> With this part number listed on the GMCMI parts index, Is this indeed the
>> recommended part to drop in?
>> Or… Is it worth one’s time trying to clean and lubricate my original? It
>> was running pretty smooth up until the acceleration phenomena.
>> I know that if i’m replacing, i should also do the cap and rotor…
> probably
>> time for the wires… check the plugs…
>>
>> Hopefully no damage was done to the engine on the 1 hour drive home that
>> day!
>> Any quick advice appreciated, thanks
>>
>> Greg / SolarSonic / Los Angeles
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>
> --
> Jim Kanomata
> Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
> jimk@appliedairfilters.com
> http://www.appliedgmc.com
> 1-800-752-7502
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
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| Re: [GMCnet] very high idle... bad distributor... engine killer (?) [message #345585 is a reply to message #345584] |
Sat, 20 July 2019 21:56 |
jimk
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Dick Patterson showed us at International how to do it properly.
Takes more time, but it will last longer if oe were to seperate the shaft
and lightly go over the shaft area that is gummed up.
Nothing wrong with Jim H's way either, makes sense.
On Sat, Jul 20, 2019 at 7:29 PM Ek Lektro via Gmclist <
gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
> thanks Jim and Jim,
> I’m on it!
> should return the weights easily, without sticking>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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>
--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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| Re: [GMCnet] very high idle... bad distributor... engine killer (?) [message #345588 is a reply to message #345587] |
Sat, 20 July 2019 23:32 |
jimk
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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This never happens on a car or med truck as they do not have the wind load
that our coaches have.
Be prepared to do it again in sever thousand miles.
On Sat, Jul 20, 2019 at 9:28 PM Ek Lektro via Gmclist <
gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
> Good news is that the WD40 i had sprayed earlier was doing its job
> apparently
> (After i had given up, and was writing the email, it was working behind
> the scenes... ended up doing the trick…!)
> Just needed to sink in for a couple hours. Everything’s snapping back
> perfect now.
> So i blew it out with brake cleaner and compressed air to clean things up.
> Monday, i’ll remove the distributor and take a closer look, see what i can
> do.
>
> Many thanks for the info… and especially to Miguel for pointing me towards
> the distributor.
> Major relief, cheers!
> G
>
> and lightly go over the shaft area that is gummed up.
> Nothing wrong with Jim H's way either, makes sense>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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>
--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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| Re: [GMCnet] very high idle... bad distributor... engine killer (?) [message #345589 is a reply to message #345582] |
Sun, 21 July 2019 01:37 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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jimk wrote on Sat, 20 July 2019 20:05Don't think any damage.
Pull the distributor and take it apart and clean and use sun grease and reassemble
Please follow Jim K's suggestions. More than one GMC owner has lost an engine due to a distributor being stuck advanced. I would disassemble the distributor, clean it thoroughly and polish out any traces of rust ro roughness. Carefully inspect the pivot points and holes in the weights for wear and rust. I have seen a few that the pivots were worn half way through and weight holes worn egg shaped. Lube them very light coating of lubricant. I like silicone grease because it does not take much, is very slippery and does not flush away easily. Dick Paterson or Jim K. might have a better suggestion.
If you decide to replace the distributor, I strongly suggest that you get one curved for a GMC from Dick Paterson (Springfield Ignition) or Jim K. (Applied GMC). Forget the one from NAPA it is not set up to the optimum advance curve for an 11,0000 pound GMC.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] very high idle... bad distributor... engine killer (?) [message #345610 is a reply to message #345581] |
Mon, 22 July 2019 07:12 |
JohnL455
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
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Senior Member |
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It's stiction. The distributor is a shaft within a shaft. Engine oil is supposed to enter down by the gear and lubricate. But liquids don't flow up that well and the oil gets cooked over time. There was also a bit of factory lube up top that went to the great offgasing farm in the sky back around 1984. Mark things and use punch to knock out roll pin. I wipe it all down with denatured alcohol or similar and coat moving parts with Valvoline Full Synthetic grease film (formerly called Synpower). This is also a good time to remove the module and remove the dried out white heat sink compound and replace with fresh. Not dielectric grease, heatsink compound. Reassemble in reverse order.
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
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| Re: [GMCnet] very high idle... bad distributor... engine killer (?) [message #345612 is a reply to message #345610] |
Mon, 22 July 2019 08:51 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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1984? Did George Orwell have something to do with this problem?
JohnL455 wrote on Mon, 22 July 2019 07:12It's stiction. The distributor is a shaft within a shaft. Engine oil is supposed to enter down by the gear and lubricate. But liquids don't flow up that well and the oil gets cooked over time. There was also a bit of factory lube up top that went to the great offgasing farm in the sky back around 1984. Mark things and use punch to knock out roll pin. I wipe it all down with denatured alcohol or similar and coat moving parts with Valvoline Full Synthetic grease film (formerly called Synpower). This is also a good time to remove the module and remove the dried out white heat sink compound and replace with fresh. Not dielectric grease, heatsink compound. Reassemble in reverse order.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] very high idle... bad distributor... engine killer [message #345773 is a reply to message #345581] |
Sat, 27 July 2019 00:59 |
Ek_Lektro
Messages: 167
Registered: March 2011
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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Just an update.. and a question:
First, the distributor cleaning and lubricating seemed to go pretty well.
Replaced the rotor and cleaned up the plugs while we were at it.
Wouldn’t start at first, so timing had to be set from scratch via directions from Miguel MGM,
and with the help of an experienced mechanic friend, going off cylinder #1, manually turning the engine…
setting timing… voila! Took it for a 40 mile test drive today, seemed to perform just fine, didn’t hear any ping.
But when i stopped at a gas station and went to start it again
with a hot engine, it turned over ‘slowly’, as if it was a low battery, but i know the battery and connections are solid.
(replaced starter, battery cables and ignition switch 10 days ago)
So, i remember once hearing something about how bad timing can cause difficulty starting... with a hot engine?
The engine starts up just fine when its cold. but after a hot drive, it turns slowly.
So do i need to advance or retard the timing slightly?
Thanks for the ongoing education, GMC mechanic friends!
cheers
Greg / SolarSonic / Los Angeles
> i was experiencing a very high idle when coming to a stop at traffic lights.
>
> consulted with Miguel at MGM GMC who told me to take a look at the distributor, and see if the weights
> are snapping back, or if they?re frozen up with rust, etc.
> Well, the little ?weights? on top seem to move just fine, but lo and behold, the part just underneath it
> (centrifuge advance?) feels really gummy, and needs to be manually moved back by hand.
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| Re: [GMCnet] very high idle... bad distributor... engine killer [message #345775 is a reply to message #345773] |
Sat, 27 July 2019 08:26 |
 |
Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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Senior Member |
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Ek_Lektro wrote on Sat, 27 July 2019 01:59Just an update.. and a question:
First, the distributor cleaning and lubricating seemed to go pretty well.
Replaced the rotor and cleaned up the plugs while we were at it.
Wouldn't start at first, so timing had to be set from scratch via directions from Miguel MGM, and with the help of an experienced mechanic friend, going off cylinder #1, manually turning the engine...
setting timing... voila! Took it for a 40 mile test drive today, seemed to perform just fine, didn't hear any ping.
But when i stopped at a gas station and went to start it again with a hot engine, it turned over 'slowly', as if it was a low battery, but i know the battery and connections are solid. (replaced starter, battery cables and ignition switch 10 days ago)
So, i remember once hearing something about how bad timing can cause difficulty starting... with a hot engine?
The engine starts up just fine when its cold. but after a hot drive, it turns slowly.
So do i need to advance or retard the timing slightly?
Thanks for the ongoing education, GMC mechanic friends!
cheers
Greg / SolarSonic / Los Angeles
Greg,
I think you still have a base electrical problem.
If advanced timing were the issue, the cranking speed will have very notable stalls at each compression and maybe even a backfire through the carburetor. But, after driving in heating up the connections, you may have one or more high resistance connections in the starter power circuit.
Remember to check both the power cable and the ground connections to the engine.
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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| Re: [GMCnet] very high idle... bad distributor... engine killer [message #345776 is a reply to message #345775] |
Sat, 27 July 2019 09:09 |
James Hupy
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
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Senior Member |
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Sounds like a heat soak problem in the starter motor. Try some temporary
heat shield around it between the exhaust system and starter. Not near any
wires please, if you make them out of metal. Might also try high
temperature sleeving around positive battery cable that feeds the starter,
and absolutely, for sure, check all grounding points, including the strap
between the transmission and frame.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or. (Presently at a combined rally at the Great Oregon Steam Up.
Funny, steam engines don't have any electrical or starter problems to fuss
over)
On Sat, Jul 27, 2019, 6:42 AM Matt Colie via Gmclist <
gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
> Ek_Lektro wrote on Sat, 27 July 2019 01:59
>> Just an update.. and a question:
>> First, the distributor cleaning and lubricating seemed to go pretty well.
>> Replaced the rotor and cleaned up the plugs while we were at it.
>> Wouldn't start at first, so timing had to be set from scratch via
> directions from Miguel MGM, and with the help of an experienced mechanic
>> friend, going off cylinder #1, manually turning the engine...
>> setting timing... voila! Took it for a 40 mile test drive today, seemed
> to perform just fine, didn't hear any ping.
>>
>> But when i stopped at a gas station and went to start it again with a
> hot engine, it turned over 'slowly', as if it was a low battery, but i know
>> the battery and connections are solid. (replaced starter, battery cables
> and ignition switch 10 days ago)
>> So, i remember once hearing something about how bad timing can cause
> difficulty starting... with a hot engine?
>> The engine starts up just fine when its cold. but after a hot drive, it
> turns slowly.
>> So do i need to advance or retard the timing slightly?
>> Thanks for the ongoing education, GMC mechanic friends!
>> cheers
>> Greg / SolarSonic / Los Angeles
>
> Greg,
>
> I think you still have a base electrical problem.
>
> If advanced timing were the issue, the cranking speed will have very
> notable stalls at each compression and maybe even a backfire through the
> carburetor. But, after driving in heating up the connections, you may
> have one or more high resistance connections in the starter power circuit.
>
> Remember to check both the power cable and the ground connections to the
> engine.
>
> Matt
> --
> Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
> Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
> OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
> SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
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| Re: [GMCnet] very high idle... bad distributor... engine killer [message #345777 is a reply to message #345775] |
Sat, 27 July 2019 09:08 |
jimk
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Just retard it a hair by turning Dist counterclockwire
On Sat, Jul 27, 2019 at 6:42 AM Matt Colie via Gmclist <
gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
> Ek_Lektro wrote on Sat, 27 July 2019 01:59
>> Just an update.. and a question:
>> First, the distributor cleaning and lubricating seemed to go pretty well.
>> Replaced the rotor and cleaned up the plugs while we were at it.
>> Wouldn't start at first, so timing had to be set from scratch via
> directions from Miguel MGM, and with the help of an experienced mechanic
>> friend, going off cylinder #1, manually turning the engine...
>> setting timing... voila! Took it for a 40 mile test drive today, seemed
> to perform just fine, didn't hear any ping.
>>
>> But when i stopped at a gas station and went to start it again with a
> hot engine, it turned over 'slowly', as if it was a low battery, but i know
>> the battery and connections are solid. (replaced starter, battery cables
> and ignition switch 10 days ago)
>> So, i remember once hearing something about how bad timing can cause
> difficulty starting... with a hot engine?
>> The engine starts up just fine when its cold. but after a hot drive, it
> turns slowly.
>> So do i need to advance or retard the timing slightly?
>> Thanks for the ongoing education, GMC mechanic friends!
>> cheers
>> Greg / SolarSonic / Los Angeles
>
> Greg,
>
> I think you still have a base electrical problem.
>
> If advanced timing were the issue, the cranking speed will have very
> notable stalls at each compression and maybe even a backfire through the
> carburetor. But, after driving in heating up the connections, you may
> have one or more high resistance connections in the starter power circuit.
>
> Remember to check both the power cable and the ground connections to the
> engine.
>
> Matt
> --
> Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
> Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
> OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
> SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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| Re: [GMCnet] very high idle... bad distributor... engine killer [message #345778 is a reply to message #345773] |
Sat, 27 July 2019 09:26 |
Russell Mehlenbacher
Messages: 128
Registered: June 2010
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Not sure if it applies here... I had a SBC (45 years ago!) that had similar
hot start issues. I went thru the usual starter/cable/timing exercises.
Time it to start cold and no hot start. The problem went away after I
replaced the timing chain. Stretched quite nicely it was.
Russ
On Sat, Jul 27, 2019, 2:00 AM Ek Lektro via Gmclist
wrote:
> Just an update.. and a question:
> First, the distributor cleaning and lubricating seemed to go pretty well.
> Replaced the rotor and cleaned up the plugs while we were at it.
> Wouldn’t start at first, so timing had to be set from scratch via
> directions from Miguel MGM,
> and with the help of an experienced mechanic friend, going off cylinder
> #1, manually turning the engine…
> setting timing… voila! Took it for a 40 mile test drive today, seemed to
> perform just fine, didn’t hear any ping.
>
> But when i stopped at a gas station and went to start it again
> with a hot engine, it turned over ‘slowly’, as if it was a low battery,
> but i know the battery and connections are solid.
> (replaced starter, battery cables and ignition switch 10 days ago)
> So, i remember once hearing something about how bad timing can cause
> difficulty starting... with a hot engine?
> The engine starts up just fine when its cold. but after a hot drive, it
> turns slowly.
> So do i need to advance or retard the timing slightly?
> Thanks for the ongoing education, GMC mechanic friends!
> cheers
> Greg / SolarSonic / Los Angeles
>
>> i was experiencing a very high idle when coming to a stop at traffic
> lights.
>>
>> consulted with Miguel at MGM GMC who told me to take a look at the
> distributor, and see if the weights
>> are snapping back, or if they?re frozen up with rust, etc.
>> Well, the little ?weights? on top seem to move just fine, but lo and
> behold, the part just underneath it
>> (centrifuge advance?) feels really gummy, and needs to be manually moved
> back by hand.
>
> _______________________________________________
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Russ & Linda Mehlenbacher
Rochester Hills, Michigan
'76 Eleganza
'74 Sequoia
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| Re: [GMCnet] very high idle... bad distributor... engine [message #345784 is a reply to message #345581] |
Sat, 27 July 2019 13:39 |
Ek_Lektro
Messages: 167
Registered: March 2011
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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OK, thanks for the recommendations; I will investigate over the next few days.
(And sure hope its not the timing chain… although i guess this could be handled when doing the water pump, soon)
The Eleganza would also have this hot start problem at times, even with a brand new timing chain, brand new battery
So for this Birchhaven, we’re hoping for either slight timing adjustment, retarding it a bit, like Jim K suggested,
or maybe the heat shield issue….which is pretty interesting… and makes sense, having headers and all…
OK, Thanks again, and have a great weekend!
> Time it to start cold and no hot start. The problem went away after I
> replaced the timing chain
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| Re: [GMCnet] very high idle... bad distributor... engine [message #345790 is a reply to message #345784] |
Sun, 28 July 2019 09:38 |
jimk
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
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My suggestion to just retard a bit is based on the fact that he did not
have that issue before.
On Sat, Jul 27, 2019 at 11:39 AM Ek Lektro via Gmclist <
gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
> OK, thanks for the recommendations; I will investigate over the next few
> days.
> (And sure hope its not the timing chain… although i guess this could be
> handled when doing the water pump, soon)
> The Eleganza would also have this hot start problem at times, even with a
> brand new timing chain, brand new battery
>
> So for this Birchhaven, we’re hoping for either slight timing adjustment,
> retarding it a bit, like Jim K suggested,
> or maybe the heat shield issue….which is pretty interesting… and makes
> sense, having headers and all…
> OK, Thanks again, and have a great weekend!
>
>> Time it to start cold and no hot start. The problem went away after I
>> replaced the timing chain
>
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--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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| Re: [GMCnet] very high idle... bad distributor... engine killer [message #345791 is a reply to message #345778] |
Sun, 28 July 2019 09:41 |
jimk
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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I feel that the reason the issue disappeared after the timing chain change
was that some if the main battery cables were disconnected and reconnected.
On Sat, Jul 27, 2019 at 7:27 AM Russell Mehlenbacher via Gmclist <
gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
> Not sure if it applies here... I had a SBC (45 years ago!) that had similar
> hot start issues. I went thru the usual starter/cable/timing exercises.
> Time it to start cold and no hot start. The problem went away after I
> replaced the timing chain. Stretched quite nicely it was.
> Russ
>
> On Sat, Jul 27, 2019, 2:00 AM Ek Lektro via Gmclist gmclist@list.gmcnet.org>
> wrote:
>
>> Just an update.. and a question:
>> First, the distributor cleaning and lubricating seemed to go pretty well.
>> Replaced the rotor and cleaned up the plugs while we were at it.
>> Wouldn’t start at first, so timing had to be set from scratch via
>> directions from Miguel MGM,
>> and with the help of an experienced mechanic friend, going off cylinder
>> #1, manually turning the engine…
>> setting timing… voila! Took it for a 40 mile test drive today, seemed to
>> perform just fine, didn’t hear any ping.
>>
>> But when i stopped at a gas station and went to start it again
>> with a hot engine, it turned over ‘slowly’, as if it was a low battery,
>> but i know the battery and connections are solid.
>> (replaced starter, battery cables and ignition switch 10 days ago)
>> So, i remember once hearing something about how bad timing can cause
>> difficulty starting... with a hot engine?
>> The engine starts up just fine when its cold. but after a hot drive, it
>> turns slowly.
>> So do i need to advance or retard the timing slightly?
>> Thanks for the ongoing education, GMC mechanic friends!
>> cheers
>> Greg / SolarSonic / Los Angeles
>>
>>> i was experiencing a very high idle when coming to a stop at traffic
>> lights.
>>>
>>> consulted with Miguel at MGM GMC who told me to take a look at the
>> distributor, and see if the weights
>>> are snapping back, or if they?re frozen up with rust, etc.
>>> Well, the little ?weights? on top seem to move just fine, but lo and
>> behold, the part just underneath it
>>> (centrifuge advance?) feels really gummy, and needs to be manually
> moved
>> back by hand.
>>
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--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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