how do i check my timing and adjust it? - Honda Prelude Forum

redloudlude · 09-30-2003, 04:57 PM

i know i need a timing gun and you aim it at the fly wheel but what specificly??? help!

19924ws · 09-30-2003, 05:43 PM

The red line on the flywheel, that's the timing mark. You adj it by loosening the 3 12mm bolts on the distributor and turning it toward the firewall for advance and toward the front for retard.

Preyluder · 10-01-2003, 10:01 PM

And should you have a partner under the car looking at that indicator on the flywheel while you turn the distributor or what?

X01VTEC · 10-01-2003, 11:26 PM

actually there is a rubber plug right next to where the engine code is printed on the block. pull that thing out and point the timing light in the hole the rubber plug was plugging =)

red92si · 10-02-2003, 12:33 AM

yeah, just pull the little rubber plug, hookup the timing light and point it in the hole that the plug covered, then run the engine and watch for your timing mark.

the mark may be hard to see so once you find it, do what I did and mark it with some white-out correction fluid. Then when you need to check timing, the mark will be unmistakeable.

if you are obd-1 then adjusting is easy, loosen the bolts on your distributor cap and rotate. Just rotate a little and keep checking with the light and you'll be fine.

its really simple

ds2000 · 10-02-2003, 06:56 AM

It looks like this if your having trouble

19924ws · 10-02-2003, 08:14 AM

No don't mark it with white out, the timing mark is RED why would you want to make it look like the TDC mark?

Preyluder · 10-02-2003, 10:13 AM

So, where's this timing light you guys are talkin about located?

19924ws · 10-02-2003, 10:43 AM

You to buy it at the parts store. It is not part of your car. You take out the plug next to the engine code and point the timing light in the hole and pull the trigger, after hooking up an setting the light according to the makers directions, then turn the dist. accordingly.

CDR_UK · 10-02-2003, 05:10 PM

You should jump the service connector behind the centre console before and during any adjustments.

X01VTEC · 10-02-2003, 06:01 PM

if youre going to go buy one and dont mind spending the extra loot, get the advanced timing light with the dial on the back so you can set the timing to a certain degree, that takes out the guess work, and just makes life much easier.

Preyluder · 10-02-2003, 06:09 PM

Well, how does the timing light work? I could find out myself I guess, if you don't want to take the thread OT.

red92si · 10-02-2003, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 19924ws
No don't mark it with white out, the timing mark is RED why would you want to make it look like the TDC mark?

My timing mark was just a "+" engraved into the flywheel, so marking it with whiteout makes it way easy to see. Plus, you can easily tell the circle of whiteout versus the white TDC mark.

19924ws · 10-02-2003, 09:59 PM

Are ya sure bec that's the TDC mark on mine and there is a red on at 15 deg. Is yours aftermarket? I just assumed that is was stock and that if it was it would be the same as mine.
I had a friend who worked with me at Honda set my timing to show me how and he timed it off the white + at first and it was reading 30deg advance....oops he had the wrong one.

Preyluder · 10-03-2003, 09:19 AM

I'm pretty sure Tyler has an aftermarket clutch/flywheel, but I'm not sure.

roby · 10-10-2004, 12:20 PM

does anyone have a writeup on advancing timing to get more gains out of the motor? someone was telling me to advance my timing to get more out of it

Preludeian · 10-11-2004, 10:15 PM

I thought you had to jumper the ECU while you timed!? Maybe I'm mixed up... grrr!