Of course, to understand and adjust timing, it helps to have at least a fundamental knowledge of how an internal combustion engine works. And just a couple more steps (again, relatively simple) let you adjust your engine's timing, making sure you don't have to take an extra, expensive trip to the automobile doctor just to address that cylinder that keeps knocking or misfiring at 4,000 RPM.
It's worlds easier than, for example, a brake job. Don't worry this isn't an involved process. Opening the hood and inserting strange, flashing gadgets into the engine compartment can seem intimidating at first, especiaally to the non-gearhead. A simple and readily available tool, the timing light can enable you to check this integral setting on your vehicle from your very own one-car garage.Ī simple and readily available tool, the timing light can enable you to check this integral setting on your vehicle from your very own one-car garage. But timing is one test you don't necessarily need to have done at the shop. In all of these cases, it's absolutely worth making sure that your engine's timing is properly set, and a mechanic will charge you a minimum fee simply to offer a diagnosis. Other times, enthusiasts create customized vehicles, complete with specialized, high-performance engines. Sometimes, they have rough idles or get choppy during a certain range of RPM. Don't Let The Mechanic Get The Best Of You If those little explosions pack enough punch to hurtle a two-ton vehicle down the road at 85 mph, there must be a pretty exact science to making sure that each of these ingredients is applied in the proper volume and at the exactly right time.įear not, because engineers have developed an intricate system of air/fuel/spark timing, ensuring that our trusty engine is getting its gasoline and oxygen meals at precisely the right intervals. They comprise the most energetic part of the internal combustion engine: the combustion itself.īut cars are big machines. In fact, cars have been scooting down the road for decades now thanks to millions of little, tiny, violent explosions happening in quick succession. And if that fire happens under enough pressure, there'll be a violent explosion - and who doesn't love (safe and controlled) explosions?Ĭars certainly love them. Or, more accurately, you could say that together they cause fire. No, they're not a 1970s soul band, but they are on fire. Incorrectly setting timing can result in catastrophic engine failure. Distributors are obsolete and have been phased out by ignitions like the popular coil-on-plug system found in many dual overhead-cam engines.Īuto repair and timing changes should only be performed by trained automotive technicians to avoid permanently damaging your engine. The drop in timing light quality is likely attributable to the decline of distributor-based ignition systems in modern engines in favor of electronically controlled ignitions that use information from crank angle sensors to determine when current should be transmitted to the spark plugs. The 5568 is particularly appealing because it has tachometer, dwell, and voltage read-out functions, which just add to the information you have available to make your repairs.
#Automotive timing light pro#
There are still some good options like the Innova 5568 Pro and the Generic F04823 which both offer advancing and retarding settings with easy-to-read displays, durable leads, and potted electronics. In general, the quality of timing lights has suffered in recent years. They're consistent, precise, and durable, and both have an easy-to-use interface and easy-to-read LCD.Īdded the Generic F04823 and the AB Tools SPR01. Our top picks for most users remain the Innova 5568 Pro and Innova 3568. MSD has been a top aftermarket manufacturer for decades, and you can trust just about any of their products. If you want a fixed, pistol-grip timing light, the Actron CP7527 and PMD Products Xenon Spark Checker are both affordable and effective, but for full-time commercial use, consider the MSD Ignition 8992 instead. Both were relatively poorly constructed pistol-grip types.
The only changes made were the removal of a couple generic brands that got poor long-term reviews for durability and reliability.
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