Everyone says check the timing. Why??

[Prelude Guy]

Hey all,

I have a question regarding the timing. I have an issue with my car and everyone keeps telling me to check the timing. I am going to do that. However, I am wondering what causes the timing to change?

How does the tiing setting change if it has not be altered by anyone?

Just curious.

Thanks,

Andy

[navysnail]

normaly, it doesnt. but if your distributor slipped or there is somthing retarding or advancing your timing from were it should be, that will show it.

[s13sr20chris]

chain stretch, dist slipped, crankshaft broken, etc.

[Prelude Guy]

Thanks for the help, guys.

One more question; A few people have told me that it is somewhat common for the timing chain to skip a tooth. Can I find that out when i have the ignition timing checked?

[navysnail]

no, thats cam timing, and it is not very common at all.

[s13sr20chris]

yeah, this is a sohc motor right? the dist is driven off the crank so a jumped chain would not affect the ign timing. the dohc dist is driven off the exhaust cam so ign timing thats way out of whack and wont come back could be a jumped chain.

i doubt you have a jumped chain because on the sohc motors they usually make lots of noise before they jump.