festiva not running right

[festers]

I have a 91 fester 5 speed with 140,000 miles on it. I just replaced the plugs, plug wires, distributor cap, rotor, air filter, and fuel filter. After the tune up it still has a delay/miss when i tap the throttle. My brother has 2 of them and they run smooth and do not miss a beat. I want mine to run the same way, but can't get past the miss. Any help as to why there is still a delay would be appreciated.
Thanks.

[Meepersly]

Only thing I can think of is ignition timing or intake leak. Mine likes to do this when the engine is cold. When it warms up it runs great and responds instantly.

[ryanprins13]

Check the hose that goes from the air filter to the throttle body. Theres a section that looks like an accordion. Remove it, hold it up to some light and flex it around to check for cracks. They like to crack on the bottom where you cant see.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[festers]

It seems to run better when it's cold, it's more responsive. And once it warms up it seems to have a delay.
Thanks

[Meepersly]

When you set your timing did you let it warm up to operating temp?

Sent from my Z936L using Tapatalk

[nonamekid]

Where in ND are you? Nice to see someone else on the forum from ND.

[festers]

I have never set the timing on the car, is that something I should do? And I am 20 miles south of valley city

[Meepersly]

I mean ignition timing. That would involve loosening the two 12mm bolts that hold in your distributor and rotating it then tightening the 12mm bolts. If I am correct if it is fuel injected 10 degrees btdc and carb is 0 degrees btdc

Sent from my Z936L using Tapatalk

[nonamekid]

If you didn't move the distributor, and it was running fine before that, I would suggest not changing it. Is your intake still stock?

I have bought a few festivas from south of valley city. Bought 3 from one guy.

[Meepersly]

For sure check the intake. I just have distributors on the mind because mine came loose and rotated itself

Sent from my Z936L using Tapatalk

[festers]

The accordion part of the intake tube does have some cracks but I can't tell that the cracks actually go through to the inside. Is it worth putting aftermarket air intakes on these cars?

[festers]

There are cracks on the accordion part of the intake tube and I think they do go through. I did not take it off I can just see them on the sides when I flex it. I know k&n makes aftermarket intake systems for these cars, is it worth it?

[festers]

And the intake is stock

[nonamekid]

There isn't a readily available aftermarket intake system. It does sound like you have an air leak after the VAF. Alot of people have duct taped the accordion section up tight to stop the leak. There isn't much of a benefit to upgrading the intake if that is the only upgrade. I would suggest swapping the intake tube with your brother's festiva and see if that is the problem.

[harpon]

The air intake tube may very well be the problem- I tried to put an aftermarket cone on my 95 Escort, and it simply would not run.

I used to have an 88 carb Festy that was so reliable I first hoped I could carb any replacement- like the 91 I have now. I've seen that any variation in the airflow really messes up the mixture- like with NO filter it just shuts down, and so the whole MAF system seemed frail by design. Yet now on the other hand I've driven my 96 Aspire for almost 14 years without fail, so I don't worry about carburetion being dependent upon a 12v circuit with little tolerance for change in air flow.

My advice would be to tape it up and look for a better one on ebay or here and then keep that protected with rubber protectant. If the timing isn't right, I'd take that to a shop to get that set right and eliminate it as a possibility of problem.

I was going to suggest checking the MAF vane for both power and to be sure it is moving freely and perhaps lubricate, before you mentioned the tube cracks. In my experience, cracks would likely cause a problem with fuel injector/ air mix.