I just had my distributor and Ignotion Module replaced along with the distributor cap. When I got the car back the mechanic said my timing was 15 deg retarded and he put it back to factory spec. He said the timing being that retarded would make it run poorly. But now that I am driving the car with the timing at spec it has a lot less torque and lags when I step on the gas (manual trans). Please help me out with this thanks.
Dist and IM replaced at shop now car runs horrible
- Thread starter 92_pony
- Start date
You know, if the timing was retarded 15 degrees, the darn thing probably wouldn't run. Is the mechanic smart enough to 1) read a timing light 2) know what the timing marks mean 3) remove the spout connecter by the distributor while reading and adjusting the base timing ? Sounds like he should find another line of work or stick to the old school stuff. How does the car idle now anyway?
Fact of life: If you are going to own a high performance car, learn how to work on it. Otherwise you will be the victim of every mechanic, good and bad.
The money you spend for manuals and tools will be recovered in savings over time if you keep the car. Doing simple stuff like tune ups, brakes and suspension will build skill and confidence to tackle more difficult jobs.
The money you spend for manuals and tools will be recovered in savings over time if you keep the car. Doing simple stuff like tune ups, brakes and suspension will build skill and confidence to tackle more difficult jobs.
I agree, i dont think a car would run with 15* retarded timing. I think the guy's a dumbass personally (i sure hope he's not family or a close friend). I'd get a second opinion, or buy yourself a timing light and learn to do that stuff yourself!
would it be possable he stabbed the distributor off a tooth or so? and thats causeing him to be reading the timing way off?
92_pony said:
Yea i can tell you a few things about living in an apartment, and working on a car in the parking lot...lol Step 1 is to get in good with management. Step 2 is to find a lot with as few cars as possible and park way out in the corner. Step 3 is to get as many friends who know more than you do to join in so you can get the job done and running again before someone either gets pissed or screws with your car.
Believe me, it sucks, but i've swapped 5 speeds in parking lots. Not trying to be hard on you or anything though, just relating to your situation.
As for buying the light, that's a good start. A timing light is a tool no at home mechanic should be without. If you dont have any tools aside from that you can get a decent cheapo set that'll do this job fine untill you can get something better. As for reading up on how to do it, you're looking at the biggest collection of car facts in the world, the INTERNET. I'd try the search function here first.
What do you mean a timing light is too expensive?? How much did you pay that mechanic to jack up your car because about an hour of labor is the price of a new timing light. There are many to choose from that are well under $100.
SmockDoiley said:
he was talkin about all the tools to do other work on his car. meaning he doesnt have the money to buy a set of tools
first check to see if the balancer has spun on the hub causing incorrect timing marks(common to 5.0 with abuse or mileage)second verify the spout connector was removed to check the timing.i personally worked on a truck today (92 chevy 1 ton )that had a new motor but lacked power and sucked gas like no tomorrow because they had set the timing without removing the timing wire under the hood.the timing was 15 degrees off and i set it to 0 as by factory specs,runs fine now.hope it's as simply as something like that.
i would check the timing. the first time i adjusted my timing, i was way off. boy did it run like garbage. but i asked around and found out how to do it the right way.
i'm the farthest from a mechanic, and i just put a new distributor in and adjusted the timing myself. and before that: plugs, wires, coil, cap, rotor and ignition module. it's really not that hard. just need time to work on it thats all. i think you can get a cheapo timing light at like autozone for like 40 bucks.
oh yeah. i have one the cheapest set of socket anyone could own. my new timing light, ramps and jacks to hold up the car. and i got by. i'm, buying as i need them. lol
i'm the farthest from a mechanic, and i just put a new distributor in and adjusted the timing myself. and before that: plugs, wires, coil, cap, rotor and ignition module. it's really not that hard. just need time to work on it thats all. i think you can get a cheapo timing light at like autozone for like 40 bucks.
oh yeah. i have one the cheapest set of socket anyone could own. my new timing light, ramps and jacks to hold up the car. and i got by. i'm, buying as i need them. lol
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