mx5_leo

So this all started when I spun a rod bearing. Car always had a lumpy idle but never really dropped passed 600. Spun a rod bearing, took crank and bearings, rods and bearings, out of a spare engine I bought for 50$ that supposedly had a bad head gasket and threw all that in my block and reused my pistons since the cylinders looked ok. So I carried on with my budget rebuild threw it all together. Car starts right up runs great don’t notice any lack of power, just idles like garbage, dies sometimes when throwing it into neutral and coming to a stop. Idle is sometime randomly spot on, but after touching the pedal the idle usually lingers from 200rpm-650rpm. Getting a p0021 intake valve timing control, bank 2 code. I put 12v to the vvt solenoid on that side and I can see the plunger go up and down. Surprisingly there were no metal shavings on the screens of the solenoids but cleaned them and threw them back in. Code doesn’t come back till maybe a half hour of driving.
-Possible I’m off one tooth on my timing?
-waiting for a new solenoid I just ordered
-possible vacuum leak, hear a slight hiss next to my pcv, and one off the long plenum mounting bolts that screw into the top of the lower plenum/ inside the plenum, one was always stripped out since I got the car so I decided to helicoil it, and the helicoil maybe have went in ever so slightly crooked , screw still went right in but I noticed the slight angle with the plenum off and screw in. Sprayed everywhere with brake cleaner trying to find a vacuum leak but nothing found.
-also got a a lean code but that’s probably from the cat deletes

Any insight appreciated

Vas_Z33

iTrader: (39)

Its possible that timing is off when you put it back. But, before you assume the worst -- I would replace the cam sensors with Nissan OEM Hitachi ones. I've had a p0021 too, which made the car either stall after it cranked over or stall at times coming to a stop sign.

Also, make sure the Cam sensor plugs are plugged all the way. There is a rubber seal in the plug, if that is slightly off, it may not make a proper connection. Check them. Regardless, order some new cam sensors if you are still on the factory originals.

You need to have a HUGE vacuum leak for it to stall. I doubt its vacuum or the PCV valve. A new PCV is like $11. Change it while your'e at it.