Stag Paranoia - Timing issues

[Ian F]

Having just "gloated" about having done 1000 miles to Maastricht and back with no issues at all, I decided to take the Stag to work Monday because of the glorious weather.

Returning (around the M42) she seemed to be running a little warmer than usual and felt even more lethargic than I did in the heat. I also noticed that she was popping and banging through the exhaust on the over-run. Having read that Ford have done an automatic retard on the Focus RS ignition to generate such pops & bangs on the over-run I thought I would check the timing.

Did this last night ( having checked it before going to Maastricht but for some reason I checked at against 6deg btdc and it was OK) and it now appears to be firing almost at TDC. Adjusted it to what I now understand is the correct 12 deg btdc and the tickover revs have picked up and the engine feels much sweeter - but now for the worry!

Have the timing chains stretched so much in the 1000 miles to put the timing 6 deg out? Could there be an impending problem. Chains were done by supplier 12 months ago, no noises from them and car runs sweet as a nut. Stag Paranoia or what?

Ian F

[2ndstag]

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Hi Ian,

I wouldn't have thought that your problem is chain related, as you are talking about ignition timing. Is your distrubutor done up nice and tight?

Pete

[Thurlo Squire]

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2ndstag wrote:

Hi Ian,

I wouldn't have thought that your problem is chain related, as you are talking about ignition timing. Is your distrubutor done up nice and tight?

Pete

The timing chains will affect the timing given that the jackshaft is driven by the chain on the left hand head and in turn the jackshaft drives the distributor.

Nigel

[Ian F]

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........ Stag Paranoia or what?

Ian F

Pete/Nigel

Thanks for the responses - i'm with Nigel on this one, the chain stretching could have affected the jackshaft and in turn the distributor drive. Yes the distributor is now nice and tight (having removed the coil to get at it!) so at the moment its watch, re-test in a week or so, wait and keep listening for any chain rattles!

Hopefully just me having a senior moment when I checked it first time?

Ian

[stustag]

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Hi Ian

If your engine number is before LF20000 then the timing should be set to 14 degrees BTDC not 12 Degrees.

I would have thought being an L reg your car would be prior this number?

Who set the timing before? When was the last service done as the timing should be checked every 6000 miles or 6 months which ever is sooner.

I suspect the distributor was not adjusted correctly by the previous people and you have just found out, so no need for paranoia!

Stuart

[Ian F]

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Stu

Took her out tonight to put some fuel in and what a difference! Obviously been retarded since I bought the car. Much smoother and less noise from the exhaust on over-run. Although engine braking does seem reduced, although that could be a sensation because its quieter?

12 deg is enough for me on regular unleaded, never tried her on Optimax or Super unleaded but wonder what correct timing will do for the fuel consumption?

Soon find out.

You visiting Worcs meeting anytime soon?

Ian

[stustag]

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Hi Ian

Hopefully be there tomorrow night.

Stuart

[nib]

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The lesser octane rating of todays petrol and head skims can affect your ignition timing,it can be trial and error, around the 12 or 10 degrees BTDC on my Mk1 stag works about right,as long as ive got my points set correctly.

Mark