Effects of Bad Engine Timing

engine timing belt

Though modern-day engines seem to be a lot about electrics and all that not it's still difficult to overrule the importance of proper engine timing, an engine time could either be too advanced or too retarded either of which case might lead to engine malfunction or misfire.

There are several consequences to improper engine There are several consequences to improper engine timing which can go unnoticed or misunderstood but first of all what do we mean by the engine or ignition timing.

In simple terms engine ignition timing is simply ensuring that the piston and crankshaft movement corresponds with the spark generated from the spark plugs to facilitate combustion, these processes facilitate the effective performance of the engine, but there are symptoms to look out for when faced with an issue of bad timing these symptoms if not well evaluated will be attributed to other causative s lets take a look at these symptoms on by one.

               Engine Timing


HARD OR NO START

Hard starting is one symptom of wrong engine timing this is quite peculiar with over-advanced timing cases and in some case retarded timing cases, it occurs when a spark from the plugs are discharged too soon before or too late after the air and fuel mixture might have taken place this simply means that the engine would have a problem starting, just in case you are experiencing hard starting issues with your car and have tried several corrective measures it won't be out of place to examine your ignition timing for any abnormalities.

REDUCED FUEL EFFICIENCY

Simply put, increased fuel consumption is another important signal of bad or improper engine timing, this is caused by igniting the air and fuel mixture at the wrong time, too early, or too late at this point when this is done the fuel and air mixture is unable to burn completely thereby reducing engine power and increasing fuel consumption this ultimately has its effects on the long run which simply is surge build-up when faced with the challenge of excessive fuel consumption always spare a thought for the chances of having a wrong timing.

PINGING SOUNDS

Pinging sounds are those unpleasant sounds that emanate from an engine when its in distress or better still when not properly functional, as regards bad timing pinging sounds can occur when ignition takes place earlier than normal this causes the air-fuel mixture to ignite, and the resultant effect will be pushing back the piston as it tries to compress the air-fuel mixture this is the sole reason why you hear that pinging sounds in cases of poor engine timing,

OVERHEATING

Overheating is one very common automotive menace that could be attributed to so many causative s, but our main focus here has to do with bad timing, bad timing can as well trigger overheating, if this is the case the reason is not far-fetched when faced with over advanced timing the air-fuel mixture is ignited too early leading to the amount of heat generated within the combustion chamber to increase thereby leading to the engine overheating, don't attribute that overheating problem to the cooling system alone, spare some time to examine your timing as well.

LOSS OF POWER 

Loss of power could also be a sign of poor or bad timing this could be attributed to the timing being over retarded, the effect being that the ignition taking place after the piston might have completed a cycle of movement, if you ever experience a certain loss of engine power, do not overrule the impact of bad timing.

Because our cars of today seem to be a lot smarter with virtually 80% of their components being electronically controlled, manufacturers have taken it upon themselves to also make the engine and ignition timing more electric thereby reducing much of the manual inputs however is still imperative to consider a routine check to your engine timing system when the need arises, reason because the dire consequences of bad timing are ultimately total engine damage which could prove costly.