this is the situation, yesturday i was bored and looking for something to do. I attempted to adjust my timing. First i reved that car past 3k 3 times, then i unplugges the throttle position sensor. i didnt have a timing light so i just rotated the distributor back a lil. got in turned it on and it idled up then down three times...this is normal. Drove it, i didnt think it was felling any better, i actually thought it pulled less. So then i did that all over again to set it back to normal. Only this time when i turned the car on it didnt idle up and down a few times, and today i notice that its running a little rough. Its idling fine but the engine its self is running kinda rough. any ideas?



ALSO: It was pulling pretty nicly after i adjusted the timing back so i was just taking off in bursts in first gear around town. now if i do that and mash in my clutch i can feel something weird like my engine settle back down i cant really explain it, i don't know if its axles or motor mounts. am i making myself clear?

Well, first of all your supposed to unplug the tps first, then rev it past 3k 3 times in a row. That will put the car in timing mode. Also make sure your idle is set to around 750-800 so you can get an accurate reading with the timing light. It also sounded like you didnt use a timing light, which can be kinda dangerous considering you dont know exactly what your setting it to. So, i say do it all over again, using the above procedure and get a timing light and point it at the crank pulley. If its jumping around a lot, then try revving it again. IF it still jumps around alot, then readjust ur idle. Hope this helps. oh yeah, and dont forget to run at least 91 octane when running 17-19 degrees. :)

Thanks, i always run 93 :-) (primera engine)But the idl;e doesnt jump around the engine just runs a little rough, unless im thinking about it too much. Another thing is my idle is at 1100, then occasionally it will go down to 800, its random though. im going to goto walmart and get a Light and try it the right way. just to make sure though, the TPS is the sensor (brown) DIRECTLY behind the throttle body correct?

Ok so after unpluggin the TPS you rev the engine 3 times? Then you get under your car and aim the light at the crank pulley? I'm asking this somewhat ridiculous question because i can't see my crank pulley from up top all i see is a bunch of clutter and wires and hoses , so to be able to aim a timing light down there would seem impossible.............

Did you plug the TPS back in? Don't ask me how I know. :)

Chris

::Buzzz:: Chris you were wrong, you didnt know;) My tps was plugged in. The reason why my car is feeling funny when i put it in gear 1) My tranny mount came unbolted from Driving hard last night, so my tranny basically was just hanging there:( Im about to bolt that back in and use a nut as well, cause it did this before. Then im going to readjust my timing, i just got a timing light from wal-mart! ill keep you guys posted:)

Damn! As far ask 'knowing', I meant that I had made that mistake once, and know someone else who did it too. Glad you found your problem.

Chris

HOYL SMOKES MY TIMING WAS WAAY ADVANCED!! NOT GOOD!


these are the marks

| | | | | |
________^-thats where my timing was!


how do i know when its at 17* the marks are in increments of 5

ok i put it between the Last and the second to last mark, this should be around 17-19

Well, by the looks of things, you were pushing over 20 degrees....so, if you want to set it to 17, then eyeball it and set it between the last two marks. I have mine at 19 just for the record. And to answer that question, a timing light gives of a strobe type light...it is the only way you can see the timing marks. YOu dont have to stick it so its right on top of the crank pulley, u can do it from outside the engine bay, just aim it in the general direction. Once u set you unplug the tps, set your idle to 800 and rev it 3 times, then you should get a stready reading. Just look at the crank pulley while flashing the light on it. You will see dash marks and the crank needle, which shows what ur timing is at. Make note of where it is, and then do the above, set it between the last two marks. Plug your tps back in, tigthen the distributor bolts, and ur good to go. Oh yeah, to advance the timing, turn the distributor towards the firewall, and to retard, turn it towards you.

John

Thanks jon, i did set it a little past the halfway mark between the last two marks. I wonder if this was the cause of my car running hot, not overheating just hot. well im about to go test her out :)

RESULTS:

Likes:
1) My idle is perfect now
2)My car doesnt run as hot as it used to.
3)This my actually help me slow down and stop speeding.

Dislikes:
1)I Feel like im dragging 500punds of blubber behind me! its like the car is screaming for more power :(

I think i just got used to running hi timing, so when i turn it down to 19ish my car feels so slow.


I might set it back to a lil above 20 where it has been for the past 6 months, and jst keep running 93. I also have a primera engine so i don't know if it runs better with higher timing, but mine feels so much more powerful. Some people complain of loosing power with hi timing, i find just the opposite, jsut not run to high of timing.

I might just mark it, 1 mark for low and one for high. So if i feel like having power ill put it hi, all other times ill keep it on the low setting.;)

i used to have an idle just like yours, before you fixed it that is. turns out my timing was at 10* :D once i set it (to ~14, because i'm spraying) it fixed my idle as well.

Turbo Classic...empty your PM box. I can't send you messages. I will give you a call this evening or tomorrow morning.