Questions and Answers

Reliant Got New Head Runs Bad Q. I have a 1985 Plymouth Reliant, 2.2 liter 4 cylinder carburetted engine with 160,000 miles. Head was replaced at 155,000 according to manual. Since then car has run poorly. Start car in morning and it stalls as soon as it starts, retry and it will stay running if I keep steady pressure on gas pedal. Put car in reverse and it stalls, restarts same as above.

Get to a stop sign/light, car will stall if not shifted into neutral while idling. As car warms up, it doesn't stall as often. Acceleration is just slightly lower than pre-head replacement, noticeable mainly when car is cold. When I turn on the A/C fan car stalls right away and wont start unless fan is turned off. Took car to mechanic who adjusted timing because it was 180° out (according to him).

After adjusting, car would start perfectly, but would not accelerate, making the car undrivable. Timing was put back to 180° out and car is drivable in the same condition as before. Mechanic said mixture is too rich in carburetor, so timing cannot be set. Was wondering how to get an accurate diagnosis so I don't waste money and time.

Allyson

A. I didn't think any of those engines were left. They were so poorly made that they usually self destructed at a very early age. The one I had threw a connecting rod through the block at 39,000 miles and joined the pile of destroyed engines out back.

If the timing is, indeed, 180° out, then when it was put back together and installed the timing belt, they messed up the base ignition timing. That will have to be corrected before you can do anything else. There is a real possibility that this will solve the problem for you.

I would also check the vacuum lines and make sure they are properly connected. Also, the carburetor base gasket and rubber mount were know for sucking air causing all kinds of driveability problems.