*SOLVED* Disappearing timing marks
abnormal
New Wagonist
Recently I adjusted the valve lash and it made a world of difference. While I was at it I went ahead and checked the ignition timing. This is where the problems started.
I warmed the engine up, shorted the service connector, and hooked up my inductive timing light. I wasn't able to see any timing marks. So I thought maybe I just need to add some bright paint to the crankshaft pulley. After dabbing on some bright fluorescent paint, I checked the timing again. This time I could see a split second flash of color and it would disappear.
Confused, I decided maybe the timing was really advanced, but this was a contradiction to how well it was running (no detonation). To eliminate some possibilities I advanced the cam timing, so the ignition timing would retard. After adjusting the cam one tooth, I hooked up the timing light and I could see stationary timing marks, but the timing was pretty retarded, even after maxing out the distributor adjustment. After having the timing light on for about a minute I noticed the timing marks on the pulley were starting to disappear just as before. The only difference this time was how long the timing light was connected to power before use. This last time I hooked it up and immediately used it.
I am wondering if my timing light is bad. The bulb flashes, but the inductive pickup maybe having problems. Has anyone else had problems like this? I don't think anything is wrong with the distributor. Even if it was advancing the timing at idle, I should be able to see this.
I will try to rent or buy a new timing light to check that tomorrow and I need to fix my cam timing back to where it was.
Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
I warmed the engine up, shorted the service connector, and hooked up my inductive timing light. I wasn't able to see any timing marks. So I thought maybe I just need to add some bright paint to the crankshaft pulley. After dabbing on some bright fluorescent paint, I checked the timing again. This time I could see a split second flash of color and it would disappear.
Confused, I decided maybe the timing was really advanced, but this was a contradiction to how well it was running (no detonation). To eliminate some possibilities I advanced the cam timing, so the ignition timing would retard. After adjusting the cam one tooth, I hooked up the timing light and I could see stationary timing marks, but the timing was pretty retarded, even after maxing out the distributor adjustment. After having the timing light on for about a minute I noticed the timing marks on the pulley were starting to disappear just as before. The only difference this time was how long the timing light was connected to power before use. This last time I hooked it up and immediately used it.
I am wondering if my timing light is bad. The bulb flashes, but the inductive pickup maybe having problems. Has anyone else had problems like this? I don't think anything is wrong with the distributor. Even if it was advancing the timing at idle, I should be able to see this.
I will try to rent or buy a new timing light to check that tomorrow and I need to fix my cam timing back to where it was.
Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Comments
When you say the mark disappears, is it creeping away to the front(advance) or rear? It seems if the timing were really fluctuating it would run badly too, no?
Make sure you're looking thru the 'rifle sight'- sometimes it's hard to get a good line of sight, especially with power steering.
I put my cam timing back and still runs fine. I'll go get a new timing light and see if that solves my problem. It's annoying because this timing light is only about two years old and its was a fairly nice one.
mattyj