Problems with decent running engine

[WhiteFinish]

Who could help me into the right direction?

I had to put a 1.8 in my car since the 2.5's seem to hate me and leak all the time.

Now this 1.8 doesn't run very well. It seems to be missing somehow.

Problem:
- Seems to be running on 5 cilinders every now and then
- Backfires through the intake

Things I've done:
- exchanged distributor with my friends car
- exchanged spark plug wires
- tested each spark plug (they are old, but still providing decent spark)

The 1.8 has a 1 coolant sensor neck, while my ODB1 car has 2 coolant sensors. Now only the green is connected and the black is hanging loose.

Any tips ?
- Recheck my timing belt?
- Get an adapter to also mount the black temp sensor ?
- re-tune the idle with TPS / Idle Screw / Timing light?
How could I check if the injectors are firing (with good amounts of fuel)?

[marcdh]

Hmm got the Midas touch there!

So are you confident you're getting spark at sensible times on all cylinders?

I'd check for codes
Check timing marks are all good on the belt / pulleys
Check compression is good
Check timing is set with timing light

Is the black sensor coolant for the ECU? You could plug in the sensor and have it dangling, at least it'd be roughly correct on startup.

I assume you've reverted to the correct ECU? With matching disty?

[WhiteFinish]

I'm confident I get spark.

If it's timed correctly, don't know yet. That will be the next thing I have to check.

Codes are there, but related to VRIS and EGR.

Do we have a table somewhere ? Matching ECU-VAF-Disti?

[toomanyangelz]

sounds like you have an intermitten misfire, are you running an internal or external coil. The internal coils are notorious for failing. Also make sure you timed the disty at TDC on the Compression stroke. on cyclinder NO. 1. Just because the pistons going up doesn't mean its the compression stroke. It could very well be on the exhaust stroke instead. Some people rig up ballons to a threaded fitting, others using their finger. Some are master mechancis and use a gage.. its really up to you.