Squeals and stalls after changed belts and plugs

[jdeight]

I replaced my belts, tensioner bearing, water pump, thermostat and plugs. I pulled the radiator and air duct and have not yet re-installed them.

After doing the work and reconnecting the battery, I was overjoyed when the car started, but my joy was short lived. There's a loud squealing noise, and it stalls after a few seconds. I cannot give it gas-- when I pump the pedal the engine doesn't rev. I also note that the timing belt is moving back on the cam pulleys. When I first installed it, it was flush with the front of the pulley, but after the few revs I've needed for this paltry diagnosis, it has moved to be flush or even a bit over the rear edge of the pulleys.

The car is a 1980 spider, w/ injection.

Is this enough for any of you Fiat sages to diagnose my problem? Is there any other info that would be helpful?

[vandor]

Check the large intake hose for looseness or leaks. Timing belts do walk. Makes sure the auxiliary shaft pulley has a lip on the rear. That is what keeps the belt from going too far back.

[RRoller123]

Valve timing? Cams could be off alignment. Mine also had a problem where it wouldn't accelerate. It would run but had zero power, would just make noise when pushed the gas pedal down, but not go any faster. I had the exhaust timing way too far retarded.

The squeal might be from running the water pump dry? Or just too loose the water pump/ alternator belt?

[FiatMac]

I replaced my belts, tensioner bearing, water pump, thermostat and plugs. I pulled the radiator and air duct and have not yet re-installed them.

If the air duct you are referring to is the one between the air filter/air flow meter and the throttle body, then that is the reason you cannot get the engine to rev. That has to be installed. If not the ECU has no signal to tell it how much air is flowing into the engine.

[RRoller123]

Yes! If that is correct, the AFM won't work. A pic of the current setup would really help solve your problem.

[jdeight]

Thanks for your help, all. It was indeed the missing air duct that prevented the car from revving. The squealing noise has not been solved, however.

Are there any highly attuned mechanic's ears out there who can help diagnose from a video? Here's a vine loop:

https://vine.co/v/5aZvYYlq2iv

Up close, it sounds like it might be coming form the cam pulleys. Anybody have any great ideas?

[jdeight]

Eureka! I've solved it! More later...

[seabeelt]

And the answer is???

[jdeight]

I've removed the plastic timing belt cover, which means that I had also removed all the bolts that held the rear metal covers, too. The noise was the rear cover rubbing against the cam pulley. I replaced the middle bolt below the two cam pulleys, and the noise stopped!