Fed up with engine stumbling...

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Okay, I'm getting frustrated with the stumbling and skipping I have been experiencing with my 1988 200SX SE V6 (S12 Silvia w/ VG30E) for like 2 months now. I've been putting it off taking in because of my temporarily tight financial situation. Well, that's not going to get better for at least another month and I can't live with this skipping that long. The engine is missing and stumbling on low-rpm acceleration (between 2500 and 3000 rpm).

I am determined to find the problem myself. I plan on renting a timing light this weekend. The car is pinging on acceleration, too, which suggests to me the ignition timing is off, and I had the timing belt replaced last summer, so the valve timing should have been set then and should be fine.

I'm also going to go through the full ECCS diagnostic procedures as described in my Chilton's manual for confirming the working status of my emissions and fuel control components.

Does anyone have any more ideas on things I could do at home to try and find this problem? Would the shop that did the timing belt have reset the ignition timing as well as the valve timing? And as far as checking the timing goes, I've seen it done but never done it myself, are there any tips anyone can give me? I'm going to whip this thing or die trying! http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/mad.gif

[67PATROL]

I bought a timing light for my turbo zx from schuck's, it was around 40 bucks. They are all the same, and real easy to use. First, I would clean off the timing marks on your crank pulley and surrounding area. There should be a notch on your crank pulley, and a graduated thingy next to it on the block or front cover. Now when you get your timing light, just attach it to your battery (power source) and then put the one inductance wire over your #1 cylinder ignition wire. The light will flash and such, just point it at your crank pulley, and you should be able to see where your timing is set. Loosen up your distributor and then turn it around a bit to see where the timing is. Once you get it set right, tighten it back down. Watch your fingers in the fan!! it can be dangerous!! You might want to check out zcar.com, and their z31 forum. They basically have the same motor that you do and are quite knowledgeable. It could be your timing, but it could also be your mass air flow meter or throttle position sensor, or a number of other things. Do yourself a favor and get a real nissan manual for working on the thing. Well good luck!