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Today’s task was to put on a new distributor cap & rotor along with setting the ignition timing on my 94 Honda Civic. To be clear, I’d followed the steps specified from several website forums, in addition to watching the video made by Eric on Youtube.
The only thing that’s confounding me is that when I did my test drive, the RPM gauge would hover slightly under 1000 RPM’s at idle. The sticker however indicates an idle speed of 600 RPM’s +-50. What am I not understanding? Am I under the mistaken impression that the idle speed should have dropped to 600 RPM’s after I set the ignition timing?
In case there are any questions to what I did, I followed the steps in this order:
-Referred to the specs on the sticker under the hood: 16 +/-2 degrees, with an idle speed of 600 rpm +/- 50rpm.
-Warmed the engine up to operating temp.
-Shorted the check connector with a paper clip.
-Hook up the timing light and at 90 degrees, shined it down the V-groove and indicator marking on timing cover.-Lined up the middle/red timing mark perfectly to the indicator mark on the timing cover.
-Tighten up the bolts on the distributor & rechecked the timing marks with the timing light.
-Pulled out the paper clip & shut the hood.Everyone’s feedback is greatly appreciate.
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[quote=”college man” post=101528]Does it look like someone has adjusted the base idle screw?[/quote]
I don’t know, I haven’t looked at that yet. Correct me if I’m wrong; but aren’t those pre-set at the factory? Maybe it’s worth a look.
As for the steps listed, were they done in the correct sequence and would adjusting the ignition timing be expected to lower the idle speed?
They’re done in right sequence, but I think you missed the fact that the idle speed should be what’s listed when you adjust it, not just after it’s adjusted. If it’s just off now, and it wasn’t when you set it, then you’re good as far as timing goes. Just need to work out the cause of the high idle as collegeman intimates.
IE “with an idle speed of 600 rpm +/- 50rpm.”
[quote=”Davo53209″ post=101531][quote=”college man” post=101528]Does it look like someone has adjusted the base idle screw?[/quote]
I don’t know, I haven’t looked at that yet. Correct me if I’m wrong; but aren’t those pre-set at the factory? Maybe it’s worth a look.
As for the steps listed, were they done in the correct sequence and would adjusting the ignition timing be expected to lower the idle speed?[/quote]
The screw is preset but does not stop people from turning it.
When you jumped the connector did the cel illuminate to ensure
it was jumped? seems like the procedure was right. If your having
an idol issue or timing mechanical issue. Trying to set ignition
timing won’t solve this. You may want to check mechanical timing
to ensure thats not a problem. To properly check ignition timing
the base idol must be met.[quote=”college man” post=101554][quote=”Davo53209″ post=101531][quote=”college man” post=101528]Does it look like someone has adjusted the base idle screw?[/quote]
I don’t know, I haven’t looked at that yet. Correct me if I’m wrong; but aren’t those pre-set at the factory? Maybe it’s worth a look.
As for the steps listed, were they done in the correct sequence and would adjusting the ignition timing be expected to lower the idle speed?[/quote]
The screw is preset but does not stop people from turning it.
When you jumped the connector did the cel illuminate to ensure
it was jumped? seems like the procedure was right. If your having
an idol issue or timing mechanical issue. Trying to set ignition
timing won’t solve this. You may want to check mechanical timing
to ensure thats not a problem. To properly check ignition timing
the base idol must be met.[/quote]
Well, there is the issue of having the cracked exhaust manifold. I may have mentioned it recently in another post, and have just ordered a new one along with a Bosal aftermarket catalytic converter. All parts should in by Monday, whereby I should have them installed by then.Ignition timing should not be messed with unless you’re replacing a distributor. It’s not part of a maintenance schedule for that vehicle. If it’s off, the first thing to check is the timing belt alignment as that has a direct effect on ignition timing since the distributor is splined to the cam shaft. That said, if you adjusted the timing and the timing belt is off, all you did was correct for a mechanical condition and you’ll have to reset it when the timing belt is installed correctly again.
With the idle speed, I’m with College man. I see it all the time. People adjust the idle screw to correct an idle issue. This is so wrong. If your timing belt is installed correctly, and your ignition timing is set correctly, you’ll need to reset the idle. That is IF there aren’t any other issues causing the idle problems. For those, I’d recommend you read through this first.
http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solving-automotive-idle-problems
Once you’re sure there are no other issues you can use the procedure in that article to reset base idle.
Good luck and keep us posted.
[quote=”EricTheCarGuy” post=101721]Ignition timing should not be messed with unless you’re replacing a distributor. It’s not part of a maintenance schedule for that vehicle. If it’s off, the first thing to check is the timing belt alignment as that has a direct effect on ignition timing since the distributor is splined to the cam shaft. That said, if you adjusted the timing and the timing belt is off, all you did was correct for a mechanical condition and you’ll have to reset it when the timing belt is installed correctly again.
With the idle speed, I’m with College man. I see it all the time. People adjust the idle screw to correct an idle issue. This is so wrong. If your timing belt is installed correctly, and your ignition timing is set correctly, you’ll need to reset the idle. That is IF there aren’t any other issues causing the idle problems. For those, I’d recommend you read through this first.
http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solving-automotive-idle-problems
Once you’re sure there are no other issues you can use the procedure in that article to reset base idle.
Good luck and keep us posted.[/quote]
When I bought the car about six months ago, I received a lot of paperwork indicating what had been done, including a new timing belt, which appears to have been installed a year or so before the car was sold. I will have to get back to you on that one to be sure.
Prior to adjusting the ignition timing, I’d noticed that the three indicator marks were advanced well past the mark on the timing cover and whenever I’d advance the timing back to where it initially was, the idle went down.
Since I’ve adjusted the timing, I’m noticing that the car back fires every now & again, in addition to the higher idle (i.e. Around 900 rpm).
In terms of adjusting the idle screw, you’ll be pleased to know, that’s something I don’t plan to mess with, given that I’ve read enough threads indicating how it’s pre-set at the factory. BTW, thank you for the link regarding idle issues.
As for the moment, the car is sitting in the garage as I await my catalytic converter to arrive. In the meantime, I’m taking my other car to work.
Latest update. A few hours ago, I had just taken the O2 sensor out of the old EX manifold that the former owner had rigged onto my 94 Civic VX. When it came out, the sensor was black & sooty. Correct me if I’m wrong; but doesn’t that mean that my car was running too rich? With that in, I’d mentioned earlier that the ignition timing was way far advanced.
I’m also starting to think that in addition to checking the alignment on the timing belt, I may also want to consider why the stock catalytic converter might have gone bad. With said, I would be open to suggestions as to what I should consider in terms of diagnostics.
Interestingly enough, at no time was I ever getting a check engine light while all of this was happening.
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