This morning I started with a comprehensive review of all engine management systems, because yesterday the car was running very poorly (missing routinely at low rpm's). Started by printing the tech manual linkage tour (thanks again Joe ...) and proceeded with some basic things. First checking the air filter, to make sure no small rodents had taken up residence there during the long periods of inactivity over the past years. Then swapped out the spark plugs, even though they were fairly new, because the no. 3 had fouled up last week, when I changed the timing chain. Enriched the idle mixture two clicks, re-set the ignition timing, re-set the intake venturi air flap to 'binding'. Checked whether the rack in the FIP was free. I already knew the WRD was free and had adjusted the valves only 2 thousand kms ago, so those should be fine. So I did nothing methodical yet according to 'the Tour', just 'here and there' checks to rule out obvious things. Then went for a test drive and WOW the car has never run so strong and smooth. When the engine had fully warmed up, stopped by the side of the road and adjusted the air screw on the intake manifold to fine tune the idle to 750 RPM (car was running at 620). Later I went for a longer drive, some 100 km, to check whether anything had changed, but it's all great. I will still go through all the Tour steps, just to make sure, but couldn't be happier with how it runs now. I think replacing the timing chain has made a marked difference, so the engine timing (valves vs pistons) is now where it should be for the first time in many years. it's always nice when a bit of tinkering delivers such good results.
