possible dumb question about engine timing

[LJRuddy]

How might I be able to test engine timing during every day driving without the access of a tweecer handy? Is it even possible?

Or would I be able to detect improper engine timing solely by raising the rpms while in neutral? Or would the timing be different under higher engine loads?

 

[SHOtime2511]

first can you clue us in on the issue that your having?

 

[yamahaSHO]

Really all you can do is check base timing for any meaning. You won't be able to adjust it without something like a TwEECer, and not knowing what your timing should be would also be pointless.

 

[LJRuddy]

first can you clue us in on the issue that your having?

http://www.shoforum.com/showthread.php?t=94979

In brief, zero low end, almost zero top end. Cant maintain highway speeds unless i am in 3rd or 4th

Checked TPS, coolant sensors and MAF. All were good. Moving on to bigger and more expensive ideas to diagnose.

Please keep any ideas pertaining to the issue in above thread to that thread. I simply made this one to ask a somewhat separate question. :wave:

Really all you can do is check base timing for any meaning. You won't be able to adjust it without something like a TwEECer, and not knowing what your timing should be would also be pointless.

Well that answers my question I guess. Thanks. It looks like you are no longer the only one with SHO probs in the club... But at least I can finally say that mine is now faster than yours.... But at the rate I am going, we will both be dead in the water before long.

 

[jpSHO]

Sounds like you have a bad computer.

 

[SHOtime2511]

id check fuel pressure next.

 

[93rev2sev]

Inspect mechanical timing:
Remove upper timing cover. Rotate the engine with a breaker bar by rotating the crank until the dot on the FRONT CAM GEAR is lined up with the 12 o'clock mark on the timing cover back plate. Pay no attention to the marks on the belt.

At this point, the REAR CAM GEAR mark should ALSO be pointed at 12 o'clock and the crank gear mark should be pointing at 5 o'clock.

If you can confirm the previous statement with NO slack in the belt between the rear cam gear and the front cam gear AND between the front cam gear and the crank gear then the cam timing is most likely correct. The only way to be 100% sure is to re-install the belt using the marks provided(that's quite a bit bigger job).

Inspect Plugs:
Pulling and inspecting your spark plugs one at a time will tell you bunches about your engines health AND timing. Pull them, take GOOD pictures and post them up here with labels so we know which is which.