Knock knock

[Meepersly]

Who's there? Anyways actual problem I replaced the ignition coil and plugs on my festiva. Now I hear a knocking and one or more cylinders is firing early. The distributor is moved all the way to the right because that's the only time it will start. Is something wrong? Did possibly the previous owner install the "new" plug wires wrong? I recently bought it trying to fix the little problems that make the car so low on power.

[bravekozak]

The correct firing order is 1-3-4-2 reading counterclockwise.

[fastivaca]

The correct firing order is 1-3-4-2 reading counterclockwise.

... With #1 being the one at the opposite end from the distributor and #4 being closest to the distributor. Another thing to check is whether or not the timing belt has skipped a tooth or two.

Ian

[Meepersly]

right I know that I will have to go back to the garage and review the wires again and make sure tomorrow. Is there anything else that could cause this? I'm surprised it is doing this now unless due to the factory coil whatever are pre-igniting weren't before until I got a new coil and plugs put on.

[tooldude]

The old coil may have been producing a lowered peak voltage. With a new coil, there could be arcing between the plug wires, firing plugs out of order if the insulation is compromised. Look for arcing in the dark or widely separate the plug wires. Also, there could be arcing in the dist cap.

[Meepersly]

That shouldn't be a problem the car has new plug wires. Thanks for the help I will check all this tonight after work.

[WmWatt]

You can try cleaning and checking the gap on the sparkplugs.
Also that the ignition wires are firmly attached to the sparkplugs and distributor.
A bit of WD-40 will help the rubber boots slide up the wire so you can inspect the ends.
The contacts at the ends of the wires can be squeezed a bit with a pair of pliers for better contact.
Connecting the ends back on before sliding the boots down will put the boots at the right position.
A vacuum guage will show misses. Good luck.

[Meepersly]

You can try cleaning and checking the gap on the sparkplugs.
Also that the ignition wires are firmly attached to the sparkplugs and distributor.
A bit of WD-40 will help the rubber boots slide up the wire so you can inspect the ends.
The contacts at the ends of the wires can be squeezed a bit with a pair of pliers for better contact.
Connecting the ends back on before sliding the boots down will put the boots at the right position.
A vacuum guage will show misses. Good luck.

I had just replaced the plugs and gapped them appropriatly

[Meepersly]

OK just checked timing belt its good, wires go to their correct sparkplugs. what else could it be? I'll try doing the timing again and see how it runs.

[Meepersly]

So after some investigating I found out my harmonic balancer is wobbling like a drunk sailors legs. Is my crank shaft bad? I know they can snap but can't they get out of balance and it be a matter of time even if I change out my harmonic balancer? Do I need to pull the engine out ot change said harmonic balancer it looks terribly tight where it is at.

[Meepersly]

So all of those who were wondering. Could it have been too rich of a fuel to air ratio? When I pulled my carb off as well as pulling sparkplugs the plugs and intake were soaked in gasoline. I assume that was the problem.

[Movin]

If it runs this way long enough and the problem with your sailer is the keyways and key wearing because the hub came loose it can damage your crankshaft.

A damaged crankshaft can usually be salvaged with a little JB around the new key and proper torque of fasteners.

[Advancedynamix]

Too rich shouldn't cause a knock, but it will cause a loss of power. Your loose crank pulley will cause a rattle that could be confused with a knock. The loose crank pulley will also throw off your ignition timing, which is why you have to adjust the distributor so drastically, and the timing belt may have skipped a tooth, which will cause poor power output, timing being off and possibly a knock. It sounds like it's time for a major service on that old b3 before something catastrophic happens.

[Dragonhealer]

What He ^ said. the infamous small nose crank problem because someone didn't torque the crank bolt properly.

[Meepersly]

so its my pulleys aren't tight enough? Strange but I will take a look at them. Aren't they held on by 4 10mm bolts and one 21mm bolt in the middle? also this is how it is right now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8xFMjptqfk