skipping all the problems when i bought the car. replaced alternator, battery, coil, wires, plugs, shocks, water pump.

 

i had to take off the right (drivers side, north america) timing belt to get at a water pump bolt. when i put the belt back on i was too lazy to check the timing marks. when i started the car the engine jumped around alot, i screamed in terror and turned it off. i calmed myself down, telling myself its a non-interference engine. so i aligned the timing and now it seems like half the engine isnt working. it still drives for some reason though it backfires alot in the intake in the low rpm range and seems like im down to about 30hp. on another note i replaced the spark plugs on that side to no effect. do i need to pull the head off?

 

--- it seems like im running on 5, 4 or even 3 pistons. theres no grinding sounds and its very quiet except for the backfiring which isnt very loud either. (sounds like popcorn in the microwave)

Edited July 21, 201015 yr by Turbone

check your timing belts again

To correctly install the belts, when the timing mark on one cam is in the 6:00 position, the other timing mark on the other cam has to be in the 12:00 position.

then why are the timing marks both at 12:00? well thats a relieving answer. thanks alot guys

You do know about the 3 marks on the flywheel used to time the belts? After 1st belt installed, rotate one full revolution and install the 2nd.

no but i do now i guess. new to the car