What are the symptoms of incorrect ignition timing?
2 Answers
Symptoms of incorrect ignition timing include unstable idle and weak acceleration. In severe cases, it may prevent the engine from starting. If the ignition is too late, it can cause difficulty starting or insufficient power. Relevant information is as follows: Too early ignition timing: When starting the car, the engine turns heavily (difficult to start) with a jerking sensation. At idle, the engine shakes and may stall. There is knocking sound during rapid acceleration. After starting, during operation, the engine water temperature is high and often boils. Too late ignition timing: The engine feels sluggish, weak, or even overheats. When suddenly increasing the throttle opening, the engine speed cannot rise accordingly, and fuel consumption increases. During rapid acceleration, the exhaust pipe may sometimes backfire.
As a seasoned driver with over 30 years of experience, I've encountered several instances of incorrect ignition timing. The symptoms are truly annoying: the engine struggles to start, requiring prolonged cranking before firing up, especially noticeable in cold weather. During driving, acceleration feels sluggish, with the throttle response as soft as stepping on cotton, and the car crawls forward slowly. The most headache-inducing issue is the engine knocking sound – a loud metallic clatter particularly evident when climbing hills or under heavy loads. Fuel consumption spikes dramatically; whereas a full tank used to last over 400 kilometers, now it barely reaches 300. Idle speed becomes unstable with severe vibrations that can numb your hands; the exhaust occasionally emits black smoke with a burnt smell. Backfiring is also alarming, producing loud pops from the tailpipe. Whenever these signs appear, I immediately head to the repair shop to check the ignition timing components – any delay risks complete engine failure.
