Replaced the headgasket on a 91 integra gs, (which btw, was a nightmare) and I got everything back together--finally got the timing belt and tensioner to cooperate, hooked everything back up, turned on the car, and it barely idles at 100 rpm, jumps between that and 400 rpm, and then the car dies. There is also a rhythmic thumping sound --aka, doesn't sound normal, when you rev it. Any ideas? I don't really want to take everything back apart again...please help!

 

timing could be off, did you plug all the sensors in the right spot?

 

yes, after about 4 times of having the timing belt on and back off, the timing was dead on. the tension was great. every thing is plugged back in, everything is checked and double checked..

 

bizzlbizzlbizzump

 

It still seems like your timing to me...you might be off a tooth. I'd recheck that. Even just one tooth could cause the problems you're seeing.

 

I had that problem. Seems that i connected 2 sensors with the wrong plugs. I had them backwards.

 

ok, i will double check--its weird though, because it ran perfect before i put everything else back together. I'm wondering if maybe possibly a broken tensioner?

 

How is the tension in the belt? Is it loose, or is it ok? Check that, because if it's loose, that could cause you to jump teeth at the cam gears, and your timing to be off. And like other people said, check your sensors too.

 

Definitely triple check the timing.

 

I've just been through the same thing you are going through. First I realized my spark plug wires were plugged in incorrectly, so make sure they are right. Then I was having a big problme with overheating still. I was sure the timing was correct, but after breaking down and taking it to a shop, my timing was the problem