What does it mean when a car has a spark advance?
As the engine goes faster the spark needs to happen earlier and earlier. This is called “Spark Advance”. Older cars had vacuum advances, centrifugal advances, or a combination of both. On newer cars the computer controls the spark advance.
Can a lack of spark timing cause an engine to run rough?
Lack of proper spark timing can cause a different problem: one or more of the cylinders may misfire. That is to say combustion may be disrupted. You will feel, and maybe hear, this as a brief stutter in the engine. You might feel that the engine runs rough or vibrates at idle, say, when you’re sitting at a red light.
What happens if you don’t know your spark timing?
Without accurate timing information, fuel injection won’t occur as efficiently as it should. That means the engine will need to use more gas and your morning commute will use up more fuel than usual. Lack of proper spark timing can cause a different problem: one or more of the cylinders may misfire. That is to say combustion may be disrupted.
How does ignition timing and spark advance ignition timing work?
Ignition timing and spark advance IGNITION TIMING Most engines (except diesels) use an electric spark to ignite a fuel/air mixture. The fuel burns and powers the car. This electric spark has to happen at exactly the right time or the engine will not run properly. This is called “Ignition Timing”.
How to know if your engine has no spark?
First Confirm Your Engine Has No Spark. 1 Disable the fuel system by removing the fuel pump fuse or relay. 2 Insert a spark plug tester into the plug boot and ground it on a piece of metal on the engine. 3 Finally, Have someone crank the engine and watch for spark.
As the engine goes faster the spark needs to happen earlier and earlier. This is called “Spark Advance”. Older cars had vacuum advances, centrifugal advances, or a combination of both. On newer cars the computer controls the spark advance.
Why does my car sputter when I Turn on the engine?
The fuel filter ‘s job is to filter the fuel going to the fuel injectors and then enter the engine. A clogged fuel filter can cause the engine to get too low fuel pressure or cause a clogged fuel injector. Low fuel pressure will cause the engine to run very leanly, and therefore it may cause the engine to sputter.
What to do if your car has a weak spark?
The fix: Adjust ignition timing. There is a problem with the ignition system, causing a weak spark. The fix: If your vehicle has them, check and replace distributor cap, rotor, ignition wires, and spark plugs. Otherwise, have the coil packs looked at. There may be a fault in the computerized engine control system.