DIY: Adjusting Ignition Timing
Disclaimer: The following is provided as a GUIDE ONLY, and neither myself nor Ozhonda take any responsibility for the outcomes of someone else doing the following. You follow these steps at your own risk!
Any additional/relevant information gained from this thread has been added to the first 2 posts.So all the info you need is in the first 2 posts.No need to look through the thread for any additional information.
Aim:
To adjust/set the timing.
Required:
* Timing light ($60 from repco - The one I'm using,and it's great!)
* Spanner/shifter
* Paper clip
Steps:
This is so easy.It really is.Anyone can do this,so simple!
Firstly,make sure all electricals are off,that means the interior light too! :)
Then short out the SCS connector which is located with the ECU,next to the passenger’s feet:
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l2...2/100_0960.jpg
Remove the cover to expose the ECU and 2 large plugs:
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l2...2/100_0962.jpg
The plug we want is the one with the 2 and 3 pin plug BUT we only want to use the 2 pin plug!
Note: This plug is not connected to anything,it just hangs there.
Bend your paperclip into a 'U' shape and insert it into the 2 pin connector:
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l2...2/100_0964.jpg
This will remove any compensations/changes the ECU might be making due to temperature/electrical load etc and the ECU will hold the timing at a fixed value.
Now,start the car and let it idle for 10 minutes,or at least let the fan come on twice.This will ensure the engine is at normal operating temprature.This is Important.The engine must be at warmed up to normal operating temperature to do this.
Your timing light has 3 connections:
Positive and negative onto the battery (this is just power supply,some timing lights are battery operated and therefore don’t need these 2 clips)
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l2...2/100_0983.jpg
The 3rd connection is a clip and clips over the sparkplug lead on cylinder 1 (as shown in pic).There is an arrow on the top of the clip,make sure that is pointing at the spark plug.
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l2...2/100_1014.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l2...2/100_1015.jpg
So here it is,ready to go:
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l2...2/100_1016.jpg
Now,making sure the engine is warmed up,point the timing light down into here:
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l2...2/100_1017.jpg
Or here,if it works better.I have an engine torque damper in the way,so I need to use the above method.
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l2...2/100_1035.jpg
Pull the trigger on the timing light,the timing light will strobe.This strobe light is flashing when the 1st cylinder is sparking,which means the cylinder is at Top Dead Centre (TDC).
While you are doing that,look straight down here:
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l2...2/100_1029.jpg
And you will see something like this:
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l2...DeadCentre.jpg
Which means:
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l2...DeadCentre.jpg
So the timing is set at 12 degrees BTDC which is the factory/stock setting.
Just as an example,here's what 10 degrees BTDC would look like (That is - 2 degrees retarded.14 degrees BTDC would be 2 degrees advanced etc):
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l2...egreesBTDC.jpg
VIDEO: it's flashing constantly but the video doesn't pick it up,so it looks like it's flashing periodically:
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l2...h_100_1031.jpg
The Pointer/Marker is a fixed marker,it does not move,this is your point of reference.
The other marks are on the crank pulley,the crank pulley spins around and every flash it's back in view again,completing 1 rotation every flash.
In this picture the timing is set at 12 degrees BTDC.You can see the Pointer/Marker,when viewed from directly above lines up with the 12 deg BTDC.So the timing is set at 12 degrees BTDC,which is the factory setting for the d16y4.
If the Pointer does not line up with the factory timing mark,you will need to make an adjustment.
There will be 2 or 3 bolts,depending on the engine,on the distributor that you will need to loosen off a bit:
Here they are on the y4:
1.
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l2...2/100_0974.jpg
Close up:
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l2...2/100_0975.jpg
2.
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l2...2/100_0976.jpg
Close up:
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l2...2/100_0977.jpg
Loosen them off and turn the dizzy a bit,then check the timing again.Don't touch the dizzy cap as you may get zapped.Lever it up from underneath:
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l2...2/100_1023.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l2...2/100_1026.jpg
Or tap it down to move it the opposite direction:
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l2...2/100_0979.jpg
Do this until the timing is set at the factory setting.On the inside of the hood,it will have written your timing setting for your car.For all cars,the principle is the same,just the settings varies.On b-series it's 16 deg BTDC but check first!
When your happy it's set,tighten the distributor back down and Re-check the timing to make sure it hasn't moved after you tightened it.
After you have satisfactorily completed that:
Turn off the car
Remove the paperclip from the SCS connector
Reset the ECU
And your DONE!
Just incase you are working on the y4,here's the main battery fuse and the back up fuse location,otherwise John's thread above will help you:
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l2...100_0982-1.jpg
Other comments:
Here's a thread on finding the best timing position without a dyno.
There's talk of gains in performance being had if you are running an aftermarket Ignition system.Well,I am running the MSD Ignition System and there is no advantage on my car when I advance or retard the timing.It makes the car surge/hesitate a bit when it's not set to factory settings.
Factory/Stock timing is best for my car.
You can 'play' a little with your timing though,advancing or retarding it,say 1 degree at a time,then take it for a drive and see how it is,you may find a better position for your timing than factory setting but I doubt it.Worth trying though.
So saying that,stay with stock timing,all the smart car guys say to stay with stock timing settings too!
btw - Are you lacking low end power,that all too important 'pep' ya need off the line? Car not revving smoothly to redline?
This and many other small niggling problems can be fixed by doing -
THIS!
It costs 5 bucks and will more than likely improve performance and driver experience substantially!
