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Repair Topics / Engine Timing
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Engine Timing
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Car and Truck Engine Timing Belt Problems This
category contains featured questions as
examples. They relate to most vehicles.
Question: 1992 Toyota Pickup,
mileage: 105,000. I live in CA and this
truck has always passed smog with flying
colors. It still does as far as emissions
are concerned, and runs well too. However,
the smog test shop told me my ignition
timing was way advanced, and I confirmed it
(about 25 degrees). When I adjust it to
spec. (5 degrees with the check pins
shorted), it barely runs. The timing has
never been touched before. How could it run
so lousy with the correct timing? Is there
something else that has stretched (timing
chain?) or is bad, like the throttle
position sensor? No engine warning lights
have ever come on.
Answer: It sounds like your
distributor advance is stuck in the full advance mode,
Replace distributor with new to repair problem.
Question: 1992 Honda Accord, miles:
189,000. While timing my Honda with a timing light, I
noticed the advance mark did not move when I revved the
engine. What could be wrong?
Answer: A common problem with older
Honda distributors (this is true for a lot of older car
makes) is the advance shaft in the distributor seizes up
causing no spark advance. Take the distributor cap off
and manually move the rotor button. It should move with
a springing action. If not it must be disassembled,
freed up and lubed. On newer cars, the computer controls
the advance and there is no mechanical advance in the
distributor.
Question:
1999 Toyota Camry, mileage: 140,000. Hello, My
timing is about 15 degrees too far advanced after
retarding it as much as possible by rotating the
distributor. My question is: what is the most
likely cause of this problem, a slipped timing belt, a
distributor problem, or something else. I would
appreciate your insight in this matter. Thanks
Answer:
If the timing belt has recently been replaced, there is
a chance that the sprocket that drives the distributor
was aligned incorrectly, or the belt has gotten loose
and has jumped a tooth or two.
Question: 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee
mileage: 114,000. Gentlemen, My once trusty Jeep has
been sitting for a while now and is badly out of time,
or so it seems. It will start, but it misses badly. I
cannot even move the truck for it will stall. I have
checked the plugs and wires, which were all recently
replaced, and even the cap and rotor, which all seem in
good condition. Get this, I can even remove one of the
plug wires while it is running, and it runs the same!
I'm really confused. Any help you can give me would be
greatly appreciated.
Answer: Check the choke assembly on
the carburetor that it is functioning properly. Have the
engine scoped to isolate the problem. Are the spark plug
wires installed correctly? The proper firing order?
Question: 1999 Honda Accord
mileage: 88,000. I'm considering having my timing belt
changed early. Are their any other repairs I should do
at the same time?
Answer: With the timing belt
service, the balance shaft belt, belt tensioner and the
water pump should also be replaced. Flush cooling system
to refill as needed.
Question: 2002 Dodge Caravan mileage:
75,000. How do I retime my engine and install a new timing belt? What do I do
first?
Answer: A auto repair manual
will have diagrams showing locations of each timing
marks on the sprockets. The manual also gives
step-by-step instructions.
Click here to find out more
Question: 1994
Chevrolet Astro, miles: 67,000. How do I check and
adjust the timing on it.
Answer: Disconnect the
tan/black wire EST (electronic spark timing) by-pass
connector located near the heater housing in the engine
compartment on the S/T series, or near the distributor
on all other V-6 models. Do not disconnect
the four- (4) wire connector at distributor. Connect the
timing light to the No. 1 spark plug wire. Check timing
and adjust to "0" degrees BTDC. With the engine off,
reconnect the EST by-pass connector and clear the ECM
trouble codes by disconnecting the battery.
Repair Topics / Engine Timing
Belt-1 / Engine Timing
Belt-2 /
Engine Timing
Belt-3 / Engine
Timing Belt-4
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