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Ignition timing

Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2011 8:50 am
by honda76
Hi, I just went to service my distributor at the workshop. Before it was removed, i made some marking on the distributor and engine so that I can put it back to original state (i.e. Original ignition timing) after servicing it. Anyway, my mechanic changed for me some seals in the distributor and assemble it back.

My question:
Is it sufficient I use the marking I made (before removing the distributor) to set back the ignition timing? Or MUST I re-adjust using a ignition gun because the marking is no longer accurate after I service my distributor?

Please help or advise...Appreciate!

Re: Ignition timing

Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2011 4:34 pm
by cloviskilla
should be the same if he just changed the seals. doesnt your mechanic have a timing light

Re: Ignition timing

Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2011 7:17 pm
by honda76
Yes. He does not have a lighting gun as his is spolit. The reason why i asked is because after he serviced the distributor (e.g. dissembled the unit, clean it, replace seals etc), i can drive to another location and everything was ok. But once i try to move off from that location, the car can only crank but engine cannot started anymore. After testing , he told me it is the distributor coil (which was all along working before i change seal) going bad. Will honda distributor coil get spoilt when removed for cleaning?

Re: Ignition timing

Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2011 11:25 pm
by cloviskilla
Look at coil for bluish round burt looking discoloration on the black plastic. Or you can ohm it out to haynes manual specs. Why rebuild it when there cheap to buy?? I put money on it that your ignitor is faulty. Advance auto sells them under ignition module.

Re: Ignition timing

Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2011 6:47 am
by honda76
can't seems to see any discolouring. But mechanic replaced the coil and everything is fine now.

Re: Ignition timing

Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2011 7:16 am
by honda76
As i am using p287 for Hondata s300, I realise I need to disable knock sensor at all times. I just monitored my ignition reading by adding a IGN sensor under "DISPLAY".

Observations for value of IGN sensor:
>> Ignition during idling is usually between 18 to 21.
>> When i am driving below 5000rpm (4th and fifth gear), it seems to be around 30 - 43. Is that normal?