1998 Civic Ignition Timing

Hi,

I have recently replaced the distributor on my 98 Civic because my
sparks were all over the place when I measured the KV. Even though I
was getting sparks they weren't consistent and the car wasn't starting
but was cranking. With the new distributor the car starts, but when
I've tried to adjust the ignition timing by rotating the new
distributor, I can't get it in the specified range. The manual said to
be 12 Degrees from TDC (white) mark, but the most I can get is the TDC
mark to be a bit retarded from the pointer on the engine block. I
suspect I'm about 14 degrees retarded in timing. I've already rotated
the new distributor maximum counter clock wise(for advancement). I've
read somewhere that timing belt allignment might shift the timing, but
I haven't touched it except to visually inspect it while I was
debugging. I didn't check the timing with the old distributor, but it
seemed to have more power while I was driving with the old one. Could
anybody help me advance my timing 14 more degrees.

Thank You.

 

wrote in

When you use a timing light, is the timing mark lined up anywhere near the
group of *three marks* on the pulley??

 

doubt it. he doesn't know about shorting out the timing adjust
connector yet.

 

The OP has emailed me privately, saying this:

"The marker on the engine block is close (a little advanced)from the TDC
mark (which is the white marker, 12 degrees prior to the group of three
marks). The distributor is rotated maximum allowed for advancement. This is
the closest I can get to the center mark of the three marks group."

My reply to him:
"Then your timing belt is not installed correctly. It's off by one tooth.
It needs to be removed and reinstalled with the cams lined up properly."

 

The basic schema of the current timing is the following:

||| | V

the 'V' is the indicator on the engine and the lines are the markers on
the wheel. This is the most advanced I can get. I will try changing the
timing belt because there might have been 72 months. Is it safe to
drive it for short distances in order to pick up some suplies for the
repair? If the timing belt is indeed mis-aligned what would have been
the danger driving with it like that because the belt was untouched
since I've bought it a few months ago. The compression test suggested
150 psi on each piston and I hope I'm in good shape.

Thank You

 

1. you still need to find the timing adjustment connector to stop any
computer advance of the spark. you'll never be able to set it properly
without that.

2. from what i have seen, it's apparently easy to not set the timing
belt tension correctly if the tech does not follow the honda
instructions exactly. if the belt's loose, it can jump a tooth and
suddenly not only is your cam timing out, your ignition timing's out
too. presubably, your belt was changed some time before you bought the
vehicle. if so, there's no need to buy a new one - just make sure this
one's set right. instructions in tegger's faq's.