Setting timing

[johnj]

Hi

The car has been at the local garage since last year when it was diagnosed with a leaking head gasket. I thought he was going to to it between jobs but it is not yet done. Had some lovely weather so now pushing. On further reading I see the timing needs set up in 'Sevice mode' I am sure my garage will not know this. I have printed out the relevant pages from wiki. The instructions say

'Put the car's ECU into "Service Mode"--this mode locks out all engine sensors from inputting to the ECU. This is done by inserting a paper clip into the ALDL. Put in the clip while the car is running at idle with all electrical accessories "off." The clip should be oriented the same way as you would to check your "check engine" light.'

Just checking that the paper clip is put into A pin (Black wire) and pin B (Black/white wire) while the engine is going.

Any thing else I need to make them aware of?

[Simon_P]

See here for paperclip method.
http://wikilec.com/view/CEL

Also worth getting them to set the idle since the inlet and pipes will have been off.

Might be worth printing the cambelt change section from the manual as well.

[johnj]

Thanks section now printed out and delivered.

[steve411]

BASIC TIMING QUESTION
Hello to the useful forum from Athens! Can you tell me the reasons why the basic timing is lost over time and needs to be checked with the timing-strobe light on our car? That is, if you do not do an important job, such as changing the cambelt and replace it incorrectly (losing teeth), what else can go wrong? Is the CAS the main part that loses adjustment?

Thank you in advance
Stavros

[Tuga2112]

theres no reason to check the timing periodically.

no harm in doing it. but if you set it right the first time an got the CAS (or dizzy cap) set correctly.. thats it. it will be correct for decades.

i have changed the timing belt twice on my car and the timing didnt need resetting, you only check it if theres something not right....

[dapinky]

theres no reason to check the timing periodically.
....... you only check it if theres something not right....

No disagreement from me - except to say that I do it regularly as I find it is a good indicator that something else may be wrong......

... Yes. I know that this statement is somewhat contradictory so let me explain.

The timing should stay exactly as set - unless there is a disturbance in anything that affects it. Some of these 'disturbances' are intentional (removal of CAS for any reason, changing of cambelt) and some may not be (wear in mechanical parts, bolt holding the CAS working a bit loose).

In theory, every time you replace the cam belt (or adjust the tension on your current one), the rotational relationship between the exhaust cam and the crank will change due to the "length" or "stretch" of the belt.... but it is so small that setting up the timing afterwards should be more of a 'check' than a 'reset'.

Where it can be useful is to check the timing every 6 months (it takes me about a minute to do as I have 12v socket to plug the light into, and can clip it onto the HT lead without removing anything - I also have 'good' marks painted onto the crank pulley and cover to line up at a better angle than the OE marks which can be hard to see) - if the timing is 'out' it indicates that the CAS has slipped, there is wear in the mechanical parts, or the cambelt has stretched significantly...... so it is a check which leads on to other work, NOT just to reset the CAS position and ignore the reason for the timing change.

[steve411]

Thank you all for the answers. So the change of the hall effect sensor for example could be the reason of checking-losing the ignition timing? And what do you mean mechanical parts wear ( what parts include this)?

[dapinky]

Stavros,

Yes, changing the Hall effect sensor could put the timing out.

When I say "wearing parts" I was meaning anything in the whole system which could wear over time - the exhaust cam has a slot which engages in a tab on the CAS - and those parts may wear over time.... also, the shaft through the CAS is in 2 pieces, joined with a spring-pin through a 4mm hole - if these parts wear there can be some play in the CAS...... none of these things happen very often, so that is why I check my timing, as it can give me a clue that something unusual is wearing, and I need to look at it.

[steve411]

Stavros,

Yes, changing the Hall effect sensor could put the timing out.

When I say "wearing parts" I was meaning anything in the whole system which could wear over time - the exhaust cam has a slot which engages in a tab on the CAS - and those parts may wear over time.... also, the shaft through the CAS is in 2 pieces, joined with a spring-pin through a 4mm hole - if these parts wear there can be some play in the CAS...... none of these things happen very often, so that is why I check my timing, as it can give me a clue that something unusual is wearing, and I need to look at it.

Thank you very much!!!