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When any changes are made to the engine of a car, the ignition timing is adjusted accordingly. If not, you could experience several problems with your engine with improper ignition timing like knocking, hard to start, increase fuel usage, overheating, and reduced power.Jun 26, 2020
If the timing is off, damage can occur. In some engines, called “interference engines,” the consequences can be especially bad. … You could end up having to have your engine rebuilt, or even replaced. If your cam timing is off, chances are you’ll know because your car will not be running well, if it’s running at all.
to set your base timing without a light, you just turn the motor over in it’s normal direction of rotation until the mark lines up with where you want it.. loosen up the distributor and hook up a spare spark plug to the #1 plug wire.. turn the distributor until it sparks..
Listen for a metallic sound that resembles a rattling or scrapping noise. The sound can be intermittent or constant, but it will be a metal to metal contact. … If you hear a rattle, metal to metal slapping or scraping coming from inside the cover, it indicates a timing chain noise.
Valve timing
In order for a four-cycle engine to work correctly, the valves must open and close at fairly precise times. … If the valve timing is incorrect, not only will the engine not run, but the piston could smash into the valves, causing catastrophic damage. Usually, the result is bent valves and damaged pistons.
Having a timing belt replaced before it breaks will cost between $500 and $1,000 on average while waiting for it to break before replacing can cost upward of $2,000 or more.
Incorrect timing is the most overlooked and misdiagnosed cause of a no-start. Perhaps you automatically think of ignition timing as the position of the crankshaft when the No. 1 plug fires. While this is important, it isn’t the only timing condition that can influence a no-start.
I call this method of adjustment, “Timing by ear”, because you literally set the timing by sound. It’s not as hard as it sounds (no pun intended). Automotive manufactures do supply ignition timing setting for every application. You could simply use a timing light, and set the engine to that setting.
A broken timing chain will cause an engine to not start or fail while driving. If the belt is already broken, the engine won’t have enough compression to start. … If your engine won’t start or starts driving rough, indicating it may be on its way to failing, contact a certified mechanic for inspection and repairs.
Once your valves start to lose their proper clearance, they’ll be easy to notice. Your car may have a rough time idling, especially before it has time to warm up. This rough idling is caused by the valve opening late, choking off fuel. Stalling after a cold start is common.
It can be varied by modifying the camshaft, or it can be varied during engine operation by variable valve timing. It is also affected by the adjustment of the valve mechanism, and particularly by the tappet clearance.
It is an intricate, labor-intensive process that can take 4–8 hours, depending on the vehicle. But replacing the timing belt before it breaks will prevent engine damage and save you money in the long run.
When your engine cranks but won’t start or run, it could mean your engine is having trouble producing a spark, getting fuel, or creating compression. The most common causes are problems in the ignition (for example, a bad ignition coil) or fuel system (for example, a clogged fuel filter).
This is usually due to battery failure, poor connections, damaged battery terminals, or a dead battery. Another sign of your “car won’t start, but lights come on” issue is that you have to jiggle the key to start the car. This shows you have a bad ignition switch, and the solenoid is not being activated.
It might be a battery or alternator problem.
A rapid clicking noise when trying to start your car could mean there’s something wrong within the electrical system. Perhaps your battery’s dead, or your alternator, which charges the battery, isn’t working correctly. … You may need to replace your alternator or battery.
You can turn the crankshaft back and forth (by hand ) while observing motion of the ( screwdriver; coat hanger or straw ) to get a better idea of the location of the piston. When you see it has reached its highest point of travel, it is at (TDC).
Once the top dead center timing mark is lined up with the marker on the engine, the motor should now be at top dead center. To verify, shine the flashlight down into the spark plug hole. You should be able to see the top of the piston clearly near the top of the cylinder.
Overheating. If ignition timing is too far advanced, it will cause the fuel-and-air mixture to ignite too early in the combustion cycle. This can cause the amount of heat generated by the combustion process to increase and lead to overheating of the engine.
Turn the distributor in a counterclockwise direction to advance the ignition timing. Do not over-adjust the distributor, as even a slight movement will yield a significant change in the ignition timing.
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