What problems can incorrect timing cause?

[ThomasRose]

Problems caused by incorrect timing: premature ignition, delayed ignition, and erratic ignition timing. Premature ignition: The air-fuel mixture burns too early, which can easily cause knocking and disrupt normal combustion. When suddenly accelerating the engine, a metallic rattling sound may occur, potentially damaging engine components. There is also a slight knocking sound at idle. If the distributor housing is slightly rotated in the direction of the rotor, the sound may reduce or disappear, indicating premature ignition. When manually cranking the engine, there may be a reverse rotation (backfire) phenomenon. Using the starter becomes difficult, and the engine is hard to turn over. Delayed ignition: This reduces the gas pressure above the piston, leading to decreased power. The engine runs weakly, feels sluggish, and fails to increase speed when accelerating. High-speed operation becomes uneven. Severely delayed ignition can cause carburetor backfire, muffler explosions, increased engine temperature, higher fuel consumption, and difficulty starting the engine. Erratic ignition timing: The engine may experience shaking and knocking sounds, lack of power, carburetor backfire, exhaust pipe explosions, and may even fail to start or operate normally.