Running Rough...New timing belt, water pum and spark plugs

[lanies_ptcruiser02]

Well it's me again....(sigh!)

I have a 2002 Pt Cruiser w/manual transmission, just over 1000K miles.

I Just had New Timing belt, Water pump, Tensioner, Shift Lever Bushings (not booger bushings, but something similar) and Autolite Platinum Spark Plugs (set to 0.40") installed this week.
No spark plug wires, my boyfriend's "friend" who installed the Plugs, said it didn't need new wires right now.........Oh, and I had the Oil changed.

Here's the problem......It's running really rough! I haven't driven it yet, so that is the best description I can give you right now.

Would new wire clear up the problem, or could it be something else? The car is not showing any codes.

Thanks again!!!........

[SeattleMike]

First things first: With the car off, check for obvious things, like hoses disconnected, loose spark plug wires, etc. If you find anything, correct the problem and see if solves the issue. Anything more than the basic troubleshooting should be done by someone who has a working knowledge of automotive repair. If your BF's "friend" didn't check the plug wires for resistance and continuity with a meter, his visual inspection may have missed something.

I hope it turns out to be something simple.

[Hooligan]

Definitely wires. I changed mine to Crane Wires from www.raceandstreet.com when I had less than 1,000 miles on the 2008. Have had no problems.

[lanies_ptcruiser02]

Because I am going on vacation at 3:00 a.m. tomorrow morning, driving to Florida from Atlanta.....Should I go ahead an put new wires on and change the spark plugs to Champion?
I have read that Champion plugs work better on Cruisers?

[Hooligan]

Autolite plugs are good. If you have time to change the wires, go to Advance Auto or equalivant and get their the best plug wires, if not, enjoy your trip, watch the weather as T.S. Fay may greet you as you are in Florida.

[bobs turbo pt]

wires for sure !!

[slartyblarfast]

Definitely wires and sounds like the timing may be off. It's easy to get the timing wrong when putting a new belt on.

[CREWZIN]

I've read lots of posts on this and other forums where after a timing belt change, owners were having problems and it turned out to be the timing was off by just a tooth.

[gojeepgo]

If the timing belt was off by a tooth would the car still run without pistons and valves hitting each other? Or would it cause it to run rough?

I had my timing belt changed about 3K ago and when I got the car back it ran rough. I bought it back to the shop and they took it apart again to confirm that it was correct. I was told it was. I changed the plugs and wires thinking maybe that was the problem. I used bosch plat +4's and Accel wires. Didnt change a thing. It almost feels like the car has a miss. No check engine light. No trouble codes. It just runs rough. I have put about 3k on it since the timing belt change. It has the same power as before, I cruise to work @ 70mph and I am still getting good MPG's but the rough idle is making me nuts.

My PT is an 02 Non-turbo 5 spd with 83K on it now. Its making me crazy since it ran great before the belt change.

[CREWZIN]

GoJeepGo Welcome to the forum.

There's an IAC (Idle Air Controller) located behind the Throttle Body. It can't hurt to take that off, clean it or maybe even replace it to try and clear your idle problem.