94 2.3L Timing issue?

[LeftOfSanity]

Trucks been running real bad, wont stay running when cold. Found cylinder 2 & 3 on exhaust side wasnt firing. Found out bad ICM, changed. replaced coolant sensor and IAC valve. Better, but stil runs bad.

Decided to test timing, this is what I found.

I disco'd the SPOUT connector ( I think, I followed the pink wire in the diagram from book and found a single connector, with 2 pink wires, had a single plastic plug)

I then checked the timing with the light, and the plastic guide was labelled BTC---->20--->10--->TC

The mark was showing halfway between 10 and 20. While idling, the engine would "stutter" and the line would drop down to TC

EDIT:

With the SPOUT in, it was idling @ 20

 

[v8318cid]

Timing is typically tested with the SPOUT (spark out) lead disconnected. If you're doing that and getting 20 BTDC, your timing is off. Check the VECI (vehicle emissions control information) label on the front frame (rad support) to be sure. I know the 92's were supposed to be set at 10 BTDC, and I doubt that changed much in 2 years, but it never hurts to check. If it is off, check your base timing via the timing belt. Any slack in that belt will cause it to jump time.

 

[LeftOfSanity]

Thanks. Yea label says 10 BTDC. With SPOUT disconnected it shows 15 BTDC. Can 5 degrees cause drivability issues?

Heres a pic of of the camshaft gear timing marks. The mark on the crankshaft is lined up with the "TC" on the timing belt cover.

Camshaft mark is only slightly off, is that enough to cause timing issues?

(I know the crankshaft mark looks off, but its from the angle I took the pick at.)

Could the mark be off?

 

[Moreflying]

Don't start throwing parts at it. Diagnose the problem. I would make sure the engine is sound by running an easy compression check. I'll tell you now that my truck's idle was crappy because of a couple of bad exhaust valves. If you’re good there (compression wise) than it may be something simpler like a vacuum leak. I hope it is. But I've seen too many people buy hundreds in parts and never diagnose the problem to begin with. I’ve been guilty of that in the past too.