Ignition system overhaul cost?
- Thread starter Perrin21
- Start date
geoff pine
Well-Known Member
For what people charge for the hour it would be cost effective to buy a timing gun and do it your self all the info you need is on here 
geoff pine
Well-Known Member
My local Nissan could not even fit a alternator belt on mine after 4 weeks with them I had to take it back of them and send it to hi teq in wigan where they discovered it was also runnig unlimited boost .They liked using the word grey and import a lot they basically could not cope with any car over 10 years old
williams
New Member
I'm assuming they are on about base timing so would of checked with a timing light, get yourslef one off ebay for a 5a and read the guide on here, you'll have it set within half an hour.
I think it's the same thing; base timing needs to be set with a gun, then conzult can hapily read the advance/retard based on what you've told it is the base timing. - In theory, you could tell consult the base timing is 10 degrees BTDC and it would then reasonably accurately read-back the timing at other points in the rev range, and you may even be able to set the base timing correctly using it once it knows where it's starting from.
I could have that slightly arse-about, but I'm pretty sure that's the way it's supposed to work.
I could have that slightly arse-about, but I'm pretty sure that's the way it's supposed to work.
williams
New Member
Consult and timing light can show you different readins. At idle consult may say 20 dbtdc, but if your dizzy isn't set correct it could actually be running 10 dbtdc at idle. You need to use a light to set base timing at idle. You'll need to get your idle under 1000rpm aswell to set it.
When mapping a car, the first thing I do is match the base timing to what the ECU thinks it should be. Then when you read 40deg or 5 deg in the ECU, you know that is what the engine is experiencing. Afterwards you leave the base timing alone and do all modifications through the ECU.
If you have a standard ECU with a fixed map then adjusting your base timing a few degrees to improve response or reduce det is normal. If you change the base setting from 20 to 15 deg then you have to remember everything you read in the consult is 5 degs out.
@perrin21, 10deg if read from the ECU or crank implies a problem as it's too low and would explain a lumpy idle. I have a decent timing gun in my garage that you can have a go with if you like. Takes 10 minutes to check timing.
I wouldn't change anything else until you've fixed that first.
If you have a standard ECU with a fixed map then adjusting your base timing a few degrees to improve response or reduce det is normal. If you change the base setting from 20 to 15 deg then you have to remember everything you read in the consult is 5 degs out.
@perrin21, 10deg if read from the ECU or crank implies a problem as it's too low and would explain a lumpy idle. I have a decent timing gun in my garage that you can have a go with if you like. Takes 10 minutes to check timing.
I wouldn't change anything else until you've fixed that first.
thanks for the offer as usual but excuse my ignorance, I wouldn't know a timing gun if you shot me with it lol. I work as a business manager, a calculator is my weapon lol. I just love driving my pulsar, not fixing it.
bensmith907
New Member
they should use a timing gun, however its not exactly a tool most garages have lying about these days (I only know one garage near me). the next problem is can the mechanic use it- as 'Williams' mentioned the base idle needs to be below 1000rpm and base timing mode needs to be initiated before timing can be set reliably.
The mechanic I took my car too didn't quite set it up right and the next thing I know he's asking me if he can file the adjustment hole bigger on the dizzy so that he can get in to 20deg. luckly I had bob on the phone at the time who said thats unlikely, so I asked the mechanic to set it up again, this time 20deg fell right in the middle of the adjustment hole. Ive since got my own timing gun and had a play about with it and my car is quite tricky to get into "base timing mode" but a good way of telling is- the adjustment hole should be somewhere in the middle. If its all the way one side or the other chances are its been set up wrong.
what im saying is- when you get the car back from the garage just have a glance at the adjustment hole, this will give you confidence that the timing is good and you can move on to the next problem
The mechanic I took my car too didn't quite set it up right and the next thing I know he's asking me if he can file the adjustment hole bigger on the dizzy so that he can get in to 20deg. luckly I had bob on the phone at the time who said thats unlikely, so I asked the mechanic to set it up again, this time 20deg fell right in the middle of the adjustment hole. Ive since got my own timing gun and had a play about with it and my car is quite tricky to get into "base timing mode" but a good way of telling is- the adjustment hole should be somewhere in the middle. If its all the way one side or the other chances are its been set up wrong.
what im saying is- when you get the car back from the garage just have a glance at the adjustment hole, this will give you confidence that the timing is good and you can move on to the next problem
bensmith907
New Member
nice! it should drop to 850rpm +/-50 when the TPS is disconnected. ignition off then on, Rev 3 times then bobs your uncle, fannys your aunty its in "base idle mode"
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I realise that, I don't mind helping other members out as others have helped me in the past. If you just want to go to a mechanic then you could always go back to spikey again?
Ben has already described the process, you stick the timing gun on the car which takes a minute and read if it's 20 or 10 deg. 10 deg equals less power and economy, 20 equals leave alone. Adjustment only takes a few minutes more.
As Ben has also said, you can check if the paint mark on your dizzy still lines up. If it does then it's normally good.
:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::doh:
My thought exactly. Set it back to 20degs and find out where you are leaking air.
geoff pine
Well-Known Member
Or Jim's engine out day at Southport ,