49 replies to this topic

[Dylan720]

Hi all i recently replaced my head gaskets on my 2001 subaru liberty ej25 sohc engine. I had the head cleaned shaved and new valves put in it i put the engine back togeather with manual specfications. Just to have the engine knock on idle when i accelerate it sounds ok. In saying that if i have the fan belts on the engine will not accelerate if i have the belts off it accecerates. I dont really know what could be the cause of it any help would be great thanks.

[Barbbachello]

When you say knock do you mean detonation or rod knock? 

Are you sure you put the timing belt back on properly?

[Dylan720]

It dont seem to be knock like eather deternation or rod cause when you accelerate it goes away its only on idle it does it and yes the timing is done properley i done it by the marks and set 1st position to middle dead center as it says in the manual

[El_Freddo]

I had this issue with our EJ251. It'll be your cam belt tensioner. If you can get a solid bar on the cam cover bolt closet to the tensioner you'll hear it clear as day, on the other side of the crank it's quiet. Bottom end quiet too.

If there's any oil sitting atop the piston area of the tensioner replace it.

Cheers

Bennie

[Dylan720]

Its a brand new timing kit including tensioner

[Beckers]

Did you adjust the tappet clearances as per the manual ??

Double check timing.

[Dylan720]

Yes they were adjusted by the manual and the timing has bee cnecked 3 times

[Dylan720]

Anybody here now how to upload a video i have one of the engine running on acceratuon and idle and you can here the knock and see the shake in it also the catalytic converter is glowing red and a massive flame is coming out the exhaust to

[duncanm]

seriously sounds like the valve timing is out.

 

There have been reports of non-OEM tensioners being completely shite and failing upon installation -- could this be the issue?

[Dylan720]

Well its a brand new timing kit with tensionor and the mechanic who came over and installed it after i baught it said it was good
Is there anyway i can send a video to you of it running

[duncanm]

Have a look at the cam belt while its running (belt cover off) - it should be obvious if its flapping around or not.

 

Also take a pic of the cam and crank timing marks

 

In particular - note the arrow on the crank is NOT the alignment mark.

 

 

[Dylan720]

Yeah ive looked at that the tensionor is fine the timings set right when it revs its fine backfires but no knocking at all bit at idle it shakes knocks then dies

[duncanm]

well - its clear that a whole shite load of unburnt fuel is being dumped in the exhaust for some reason.

 

Other options are something wrong with the injectors, or more likely, no spark on some cylinders. I'd start there.

[Dylan720]

Yeah thats what im thinking to mate is there anyway i can send you a video of it running thow see if maybe you mihht be able to pinpoint it at all

[El_Freddo]

Upload vid to YouTube and drop link in here

A red cat converter wasn't one of our issues, nor was the engine shaking at idle.

I can't really help any further on this one sorry.

Bennie

[Dylan720]

Could the cams be in the wrong place like or wrong heads can that happen cause thats the only thing left i can think of

[crjohnson]

Pull all the spark plugs out and see if any are a different colour to the others. 1 might be black, ie not running..

[Dylan720]

There all black i put 4 brand new ones in the other day and ran the car for 30 seconds and pulled them out there pure black and wet

[duncanm]

Are valve clearances ok?

[Dylan720]

Yeah they have been checked by 4 mechanics now only thing one of them can think is the cam shafts have been put in the wrong head right one in the left head and vise verser but he said he wasnt 100% sure if that was even possible