Setting Ignition Timing
standard timing light
Setting ignition timing on cars today is usually not required. I still own 2 timing lights and find it necessary to adjust the engines timing on rare occasions. This is only possible on vehicles that still have distributor type ignitions.
Although most vehicles nowadays have direct ignition my 2004 Chevrolet Blazer with a 4.3 L V-6 engine still has a distributor and you can adjust base timing. Remember only engines equipped with a distributor may need to have their ignition timing set or adjusted.
Although the computer still controls ignition timing on distributor ignition, having the base timing correct is critical for proper performance and fuel economy. If the base timing setting is wrong the advance curve settings can also be wrong.
On modern vehicles with distributor type ignition the timing is advanced as rpm’s increase. These controls are the function of the computer and the curve is not adjustable. To set the base timing there will be different procedures to follow to disconnect the computer from the distributor so that the setting can be adjusted. Read more
Improper Ignition Timing
Timing Tester
Improper ignition timing can cause several car problems. Anything from hard starting to lack of power might be traced back to the root cause of incorrect base ignition timing.
In rare occasions I have also seen a hard start condition from this as well. Often when people are having poor performance from their engine they may wonder if it is an issue with the engine timing.
You have to remember that poor engine performance can also be caused by poor compression, overheating, incorrect valve timing that can be caused by a timing belt that slipped one notch. Clogged catalytic converters and probably about 20 other things can also cause this condition.
How to test for improper ignition timing
When the ignition timing is not correct there are a few tests that can point to the car problem. Read more
Distributor Cap and Rotor Ignition
Distributor Cap and Rotor
This post is for people that still have a distributor cap and rotor ignition like me instead of the more modern ignition systems such as direct ignition or coil on plug type systems. Some vehicles including my 2004 Chevrolet Blazer still use a distributor cap and rotor to fire off their spark plugs.
This type of ignition system can cause car problems like an engine misfire or shudder under load. Caps and rotors have been around for a long time and for the most part they are extremely reliable. There is no shame in having a distributor ignition.
Sure your friends may say your vehicle is old-fashioned as they point and laugh at you while you’re in the parts store buying replacement parts. When this happens remind your friends that your cap and rotor only cost $28 while their individual coil that has failed might cost $200. A direct ignition coil and module assembly could cost around 350 bucks.
Problems with cap and rotors
The reason I’m writing this article is that I continue to see a common problem that develops on vehicles that use a distributor cap and rotor ignition systems. Read more
Coil On Plug Ignition Problems
High Performance Coils
The coil on plug ignition system has been out for quite a while and seems to be gaining in popularity. Although the system does seem to be extremely reliable I have ran into a few problems with individual coils. Note that I have some replacement and high-performance ignition parts available below the article.
The problems I have seen included an intermittent rough engine idle that would set a check engine light code for random misfire. I have also seen a few completely dead coils that set misfire codes for specific cylinders. If you set a p0303 code this would indicate a malfunction needs to be diagnosed on the number three cylinder.
In my worst-case scenario I had an extremely intermittent engine miss on a Ford van that would only misfire when the engine was extremely hot. It set a code for a random misfire which did not help me narrow down which cylinder had the problem. This was a V10 gas engine and the cost of replacing 10 coils just to find the bad one would have been huge.
I tried purchasing one new coil and then rotating it through each individual cylinder to see if the problem was solved. Read more
Car AC Compressor Replacement
AC Compressor
When Car AC repairs are required one of the worst-case scenarios is having to replace the AC compressor due to an internal failure. When I say internal failure I’m talking about the compressor coming apart inside and spreading metal throughout the air-conditioning system.
Often both professional and driveway mechanics will just try to replace the compressor by bolting on a new part. This is an invitation to further repair and ongoing problems with the air-conditioning system. The small metal pieces that are hiding throughout the lines and other components will circulate and continue to cause problems.
Proper compressor diagnosis
In most cases when a compressor suffers internal damage the telltale sign would be the noise generated from the compressor itself while the clutch is engaged. You do want to take some time and verify that the noise is actually coming from the AC compressor and not another belt driven accessory. Read more
Why Properly Torque Bolts
Beam Torque Wrench
Professional mechanics, driveway mechanics and most people that work on cars hate taking the time to torque bolts properly. As a professional mechanic myself I don’t like it either. First you have to break out your torque wrench and maybe even get it calibrated.
Next you have to find the actual torque specification in an online car repair manual for the bolt that you are going to tighten. Then you’ll have to take extra care and get your torque wrench on the bolt and finally torque it to specification. This is a lot of effort when you can just put a wrench on that very same bolt and just pull on it for two grunts and a groan.
Not applying proper bolt torque would be considered a shortcut that can reduce the quality of the car repair and may cause a repeat failure or additional repairs to be performed. This is more critical in some areas such as intake manifold bolts. If these are not torqued properly they can allow coolant to run inside the engine and damage expensive internal parts. Read more
Rear Window Defroster Problems
Defroster grid repair kit
Rear window defroster problems can cause poor visibility through the rear glass and on some models the side view mirrors are connected to the same system. This article covers a few of the common problems with electrically operated defroster systems as well as a few facts about how it operates.
Whether you call it a window defroster, deicer or defogger what were all talking about is heating the rear glass to remove moisture particles that can collect on the glass and reduce visibility. The major components of the rear window defroster on most models will include a manually operated on off switch, one or two relays and the heating elements on the glass surface.
The front windshield uses forced air that has had the moisture removed from it by the air conditioning evaporator to dry the front and side windows with warm low humidity air. This is a more efficient method than the heated grid that is commonly mounted on the rear window glass. Therefore slower defogging should be expected. Read more
Automobile Power Window Problems
Power Window Motor
Power window problems on cars and trucks could be considered one of the most annoying problems you could have on an automobile. When you think about it how often do you actually operate the power windows on your car.
When you roll up to the drive-through window at your favorite fast food restaurant or you are going to pay a toll I’m sure you would like your window to operate properly. Many times electric window operation can become intermittent. This is even more frustrating than if it stopped working altogether.
When you have intermittent operation the tendency is to put off repair of the system until either the problem gets worse or the Windows stops working all the time. From a safety point of view you really shouldn’t put off repairs because you never know when rolling up or down that window will be important for safety reasons.
Power window systems Read more
Car AC Not Blowing Cold Enough
Car Airconditioning Compressor
I get a lot of questions about car air conditioning systems not blowing cold enough. Especially during hot humid summer days. Most people would like to see frigid cold air blasting from their small dash vents instantly upon request.
Remember when your car has been baking in the sun heat is stored up in large quantities and must be removed before it starts to feel cool inside. But what if the air does not seem to get cold after 5 minutes or so?
There are many factors involved that affect the actual output temperature at the dash AC vents. To follow will be a few examples of common problems that I find when inspecting a car air conditioning system that is not performing as well as it should be.
Without a doubt the most common problem that I find is an incorrect Freon charge. The amount of Freon in the system is extremely critical. The manufacturer installs the exact amount that is required for the system to perform at its peak. This exact charge is so critical it is documented in the vehicle’s engine compartment down to the ounce. Read more
