How to change engine timing...

[AsH_]

i would like to know how to change my timing accuratly...

i gotta B16A and the mech said my engines timing was "Retarded"

and my engine is running lean... can this be easily rectified???

aside from that, my ignition leads are "Fu*k*d" was told probably misfiring... running off 3 cylinders...

wata pain...

my poor car...

[panda[cRx]]

how many kms has the car done?

oem leads are normally very good for quite a while

as for the timing i'd invest in a workshop manual for step by step instructions (with diagrams). i can't say i've done in on a civic but when we did it on my mates mx5 it was pretty simple. head down to repco/autobarn/burson and get a timing light and a manual and ur set

[aaronng]

i would like to know how to change my timing accuratly...

i gotta B16A and the mech said my engines timing was "Retarded"

and my engine is running lean... can this be easily rectified???

aside from that, my ignition leads are "Fu*k*d" was told probably misfiring... running off 3 cylinders...

wata pain...

my poor car...

First, check why it is running on 3 cylinders (it should be vibrating like a mofo at idle). Pull out each spark plug to check as well as check if your leads provide spark. To change your ignition timing, you loosen a bolt and turn the dizzy a little bit. If your engine is running lean, check your fuel pump and fuel filter too.

[AsH_]

the engine done about 120,000km. i got aftermarket leads... i think its X-SPEED or something like that... fat leads...

is it difficult to change the timing belt???

also how do you know if by adjusting the timing that its set correctly???

[Slow96GSR]

the engine done about 120,000km. i got aftermarket leads... i think its X-SPEED or something like that... fat leads...

120k isn't that much. The aftermarket leads might have gone bad if they were cheap but I bet it's more like a bad plug.

is it difficult to change the timing belt???

No just follow the manual and you'll be fine.

also how do you know if by adjusting the timing that its set correctly???

Timing gun.

[AsH_]

ill try and do all this myself...
just gotta get a hold of a service manual...

[NSPYRE]

i took my car down to my local mechanic. for $10 and 10 mins of my time, advanced my timing by 3 degrees from 16 to 19. to be honest, i've never heard of a case where a car runs LEAN with RETARDED ignition timing...

correct me if im wrong, but i was under the impression that retarding ignition timing causes the mixture to go a bit rich where as advancing it leans it out.

[aaronng]

Timing belt and ignition timing are different.

Which one is retarded? Ignition timing is adjusted by adjusting the distributor.

Cam timing on the other hand is different and it involves the cam/timing belt.

[AsH_]

ignition timing... was out... he was adjusting the dizzy but didnt use a timing gun...

also the mech said that my cam belt might be jumping a tooth...
so he said i might need 2 change my belt, has 2 inspect that first...

1 of my ignition lead's plug that goes on the dizzy has a broken clip inside it...

the mech said my car was running lean... but i quickly saw the spark plugz and they lookz black... which i fink meanz itz running rich... am i right???

my car currently does under 400km 2 a tank... stock B16A

wen i put my foot down on the throttle the car doesnt really go any faster... just louder...
and i noticed wen i drive my car for a while... on the freeway it startz 2 slightly overheat... i guessing i just need 2 flush the radiator system out...
he said its coz i gotta single core radiator.

oh yeh... one hot evening the other day... i was braking to the red light and i noticed my brake pedal started sinking... and i started 2 roll... i had 2 use the handbrake while i was stationary... only happened once... i suspect it was the hot weather combined with a hot engine... not sure...

anywayz... my ignition, maybe even my cam timing is out...

[aaronng]

ignition timing... was out... he was adjusting the dizzy but didnt use a timing gun...

Weird that he decided to adjust the dizzy before changing your spark plug lead.

also the mech said that my cam belt might be jumping a tooth...
so he said i might need 2 change my belt, has 2 inspect that first...

It's either jumped or not. It's not something that occurs once in a while (if it did, you'd have your pistons being very close friends with your valves. But I'd change the belt anyway since it has been 120,000km.

1 of my ignition lead's plug that goes on the dizzy has a broken clip inside it...

Change it. Honda OEM leads are reliable.

the mech said my car was running lean... but i quickly saw the spark plugz and they lookz black... which i fink meanz itz running rich... am i right???

You're right. Running lean gives you white or melted electrodes.

my car currently does under 400km 2 a tank... stock B16A

wen i put my foot down on the throttle the car doesnt really go any faster... just louder...
and i noticed wen i drive my car for a while... on the freeway it startz 2 slightly overheat... i guessing i just need 2 flush the radiator system out...
he said its coz i gotta single core radiator.

Many other Honda's with a single core radiator don't have overheating problems. But do a coolant change.

oh yeh... one hot evening the other day... i was braking to the red light and i noticed my brake pedal started sinking... and i started 2 roll... i had 2 use the handbrake while i was stationary... only happened once... i suspect it was the hot weather combined with a hot engine... not sure...

Get your brake fluid, clutch fluid and transmission fluid all changed. Please do this asap since you have experienced brake failure. Could be a master cylinder problem too, but change brake fluid first.

anywayz... my ignition, maybe even my cam timing is out...

Do a proper 100,000km service as scheduled out by Honda. Just find out what is done by a Honda dealer as per Honda's instructions, and give that list to your mechanic or a trusted one so that he can do everything that is required.

[AsH_]

i had it serviced at hondaworld and they said they did a fluid flush...

my timing belt is about 30,000km old...

[JasonGilholme]

Sounds like you need to do a descent service to your car.

I'd follow aarong's post word for word.