Engine Idle Timing

[sloEJcivic]

Here's a little article for all you 6th genners out there to time your civic. Im not sure if it works the same for the others, but im sure its similar. It shouldnt take you long at all, and its well worth knowing if its right or not. You only have to set it at idle, the computer takes care of the rest from there.

First off, get yourself a timing light. The one i used was my dad's, so dont ask me how much it was!



Ok got your timing light? Now start the car and let it idle to normal operating temperature. Around 600-800 RPM in other words. Now connect the red aligator clip to the + on the battery, and the black aligator clip to the - on the battery.



Now you want to clip on the RPM sensor to the #1 spark plug wire. This is the wire coming from the plug that is closest to the drivers side. So if youre looking at the engine, it is on the far right. If you do not connect it to this one, your timing will be way off, so get it right!



Check your engine idle. Has it idled down low enough yet?


Now comes the fun part. Your light should be flashing intermittently, take the light and shine it on the pointer on the timing belt cover. You should then see three marks on the pulley directly below, (drive pulley). The middle one should align with the pointer on the timing belt cover. The notches on either side of the middle notch, represent 2 degree increments. The notch to the right is -2 degrees, and the notch to the left is +2 degrees. As long as one of these marks is aligning with the marker on the timing belt cover, it is within spec.



Its too dark to see them, but youll know it when you do. Its also too hard to take a pic the exact moment that it lines up! But you get the idea. Spec for hondas is 16 degrees BTPC (before top dead center). But 14-18 degrees is considered within spec. So if the mark is lining up to the right, then it is 16-2 or 14 degrees, which is within specs and is ok. Now lets say you need to adjust it a click. That is done by loosening the distributor, and turning it the appropriate way. Loosen it by turning the 3 bolts holding it on enough to where you can turn it by hand with a little resistance.

Turning it toward the taillights will advance the timing:



And turning toward the headlights will retard the timing:

http://www.civicland.net/users/sloEJcivic/forward.JPG

Move the distributor according to what you need to do, tighten it, and re-check timing. Once it is final, honda reccomends tightening the nuts to 13 ft-lbs.

Now you should be all set to hit the track or just hit the road. Once the timing is set, it rarely ever changes, but its a good idea to check periodically. My timing ended up being tits, so that deserves a:

http://www.civicland.net/users/sloEJcivic/done.JPG