Isuzu 3.2 deteriorated to non starting

[MartinH]

Parts turned up a week early. Ive installed them and got her running again. There is very strong spark seen on my timing light on all cylinders. She is very powerful when running but its still erratic and its idling at about 2000 rpm when warm.
Im down to 2 theories. The ICM is faulty or the timing belt may of slipped a cog.
Now and again a CEL comes up but when ive gone to check it its disappeared.
Any further theories are most welcome

[MartinH]

i also have an exhaust leak, im wondering if this could stuff up an o2 sensor. i dont even know if they have them

[MartinH]

There are some sensors pre and post catalytic converter. Ive unplugged them to no difference.
Its acting like there is a air leak but i just cant find anything

[MartinH]

by the way, the timing light was sensitive to direction, on some cylinders it worked pointing the opposite direction of the arrow.
Ive removed the brand new plugs and they are fouled with carbon having only driven it and ran it for ten minutes.
So something is making it run rich

[geeves]

Dont know if its changeable but check the polarity of the coils that fouled the plugs. It does make a difference to the quality of the spark.
If seen something similar on my sons Astra to your black plugs. His car was hard to start and would miss and stall when cold. The problem disappeared within a minute of starting. First guess was both o2 sensors ($300+) second guess ecu but he put up with the problem instead of that bill. 2 years later it was hit while parked by a van with the driver changing radio stations and written off

[MartinH]

Thanks Geeves il give it a go, i didnt know there was such a thing.
Those van drivers are either really good or really bad

[MartinH]

Checking the polarity thing confused me, so im not too sure what to do there.
I checked timing and it is firing at 10degs and also just past 0 degs at idle. I dont know if the past 0degs is the exhaust dumping spark setting that happens each rotation, or if its firing is actually off.
Seriously considering scrapping it

[geeves]

Ive heard this double spark before. If Im right its intentional but yours isnt right. 2 banks of 3 cylinders and 3 spark locations on the ecu output. Each cylinder fires twice every cycle 180 degrees apart. First spark drives cylinder A and is wasted in cylinder b then vica versa. 10 degrees different isnt right or logical

[gunyalizop]

Ive Ohmn tested the two pins on the sensor and its open, that is apparently a fail. So im ordering one new from the US $32 including freight, due in two weeks, will update with results.