How does ignition timing work in a car?
Ignition Timing is a process to deliver spark at the correct time. It sets the pointer with respect to the piston’s position and the crankshaft’s velocity. Thus, it delivers the spark at the most accurate timing to burn the air-fuel mixture.
What happens if ignition timing is too early or too late?
If the spark occurs too early or too late in the engine cycle, it results in excessive vibrations. It may also cause damage to the engine. Ignition timing also affects several variables. They include the engine power, torque, fuel economy, and also engine’s life to some extent.
How does a mechanical ignition system work in a car?
Mechanical ignition systems use a mechanical spark distributor to distribute a high voltage current to the correct spark plug at the correct time. In order to set an initial timing advance or timing retard for an engine, the engine is allowed to idle and the distributor is adjusted to achieve the best ignition timing for the engine at idle speed.
How do you check the ignition timing on a Honda Accord?
If not already done, remove the wire from the test connector. Connect a timing light to the engine and check the ignition timing. The initial timing should be 12°11°BTDC (Before Top Dead Center).
What are the symptoms of bad ignition timing?
SYMPTOMS OF INCORRECT IGNITION TIMING Symptoms of incorrect ignition timing are poor fuel economy, sluggish acceleration, hard starting, backfiring, or “pinging” or “spark knock”. Too little spark advance will cause low power, bad gas mileage, backfiring, and poor performance. Too much advance will cause hard starting and pre-ignition.
Which factor affects ignition timing?
The major factors affecting ignition timing requirement are volumetric efficiency, engine speed and burn rate. Volumetric efficiency, or VE, is an expression of how much of a lung full a cylinder gets for each breath. As it turns out, a full cylinder burns faster than one that is only partially full so any improvements to VE also affect timing.
What does ignition timing mean?
Ignition timing is the relation of spark to the position of an internal combustion engine’s pistons.
What does the ignition timing control system do?
The ignition timing affects many variables including engine longevity, fuel economy, and engine power. Many variables also affect what the ‘best’ timing is. Modern engines that are controlled in real time by an engine control unit use a computer to control the timing throughout the engine’s RPM and load range.