Technical Timing marks.

[VmanC]

Took some pics of timing marks today, thought I'd post them for anyone who doesn't know where they are or what they look like.

First one is for setting top dead centre. It's through the inspection hole in the bell housing, just below the distributor..............



Next one is for setting the camshaft in position. Notch on cyl. head is about 1cm below the top face where the cam cover sits .........



I know most of you know all this, but they might be of use to someone.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Thank you Vern, never done a timing belt myself but have always said I'll give it a try next time one of our Panda's is due.

So its just as simple as lining them up and putting new belt on is it

 

[VmanC]

Thank you Vern, never done a timing belt myself but have always said I'll give it a try next time one of our Panda's is due.

So its just as simple as lining them up and putting new belt on is it

Yep, that's pretty much it. You need to tension it once the belt is on, then turn the engine over a couple of full rotations ( BY HAND! ), then re-check that everything still lines up. Re-fit the cover and you're done .

 

[4WDPandamonium]

Thanks Vern that a good help. How do you go about setting TDC?

 

[VmanC]

Thanks Vern that a good help. How do you go about setting TDC?

Using a 13mm spanner on the centre bolt of the crankshaft pulley turn the engine over until the slot in the flywheel lines up with the long pointer in the inspection hole, this is zero on the numbers marked on the bellhousing. You can also put the car in second gear and rock it to turn the engine over, this allows you to see inside the inspection hole while you're doing it. Either method is made easier if you take the spark plugs out first. Also, take it back out of gear as soon as you have the marks lined up, you don't want to have forgotten this when you lean in through the window to try it on the key when you've finished .

 

[4WDPandamonium]

Ok cheers for that Vern im a total noob when it comes to timing (and alot of other things) i have heard that the 999cc FIRE engine should be set up 2degs before TDC. I presume if you line it all up with the notches then it is 2deg TDC.
Also another noob question, whats the need for a strobe light when setting the timing?

 

[C.McMorran]

Strobe light is excellent. It fires a bright light triggered by the spark plug lead on No 1 cyl. This, when pointed at the bell housing timing hole, illuminates the mark on the flywheel exactly at the moment is should pass the 2 deg BTDC arrow. Makes everything look stationary. To adust you just slaken off the distributor nuts slightly and gently nudge it untill the marks line up. You will need to remove the vacuum hose from the adavance diaphragm and nip it closed - and do it when engine warm.

 

[firstcar-Y10]

Ok cheers for that Vern im a total noob when it comes to timing (and alot of other things) i have heard that the 999cc FIRE engine should be set up 2degs before TDC. I presume if you line it all up with the notches then it is 2deg TDC.
Also another noob question, whats the need for a strobe light when setting the timing?

Sounds like you're getting your timing all a bit mixed up there. If you're new to this you are better knowing what you're setting up here. The timing belt you are trying to set up here controls the cam timing. That locks the crankshaft and camshaft together to make sure the valves open and close at the right time. The 2deg BTDC you've heard about refers to ignition timing, that is the stage at which the distributor fires the spark. That is set (as mentioned above) by adjusting the distributor on the end of the camshaft once you have set that up right first. That is when you need the strobe. Having said that, if when setting your ignition timing you find you are running out of adjustment on the distributor top nut that's also a pretty good hint your cambelt might be a tooth out since that needs to be right to get the distributor firing at roughly the right time to start with
Andrew.

 

[4WDPandamonium]

Thanks for that, its now clear in my head

 

[4WDPandamonium]

I have had a slight pinking noise since i bought my 4x4 and this is why i was asking about the timing marks.
I bought a cheap draper timing strobe and today i had a look at adjusting the ignition timing. I put a bit of paint on the timing mark which made it a lot easier to see with the light, I initially put the inductive pick up switch thing on the cylinder 4 HT lead and ran out of adjustment on the distributor. After discovering my error and put the thing on cylinder 1 and then i had enough adjustment on the distributor to correct the timing however I had to adjust the idle speed to keep the engine alive.
Before I did this I would usually run with the choke pulled out a little as this muted the pinking but now the engine will runs the best it ever has done in my short period of ownership. It has definitely freed a few more horses out of the motor too so im dead chuffed, thanks for the know how guys

 

[unclespevie]

i see you are in west yorkshire, what area...just for reference..in case..
ta
kevin

 

[4WDPandamonium]

Hi Kevin, it's nice to know there's some local panda's, where are you based?
I'm in Ilkley

Michael

 

[Terrafied Scouser]

Anyone tell me where the timing mark is on a 903cc flywheel? Took out the distributor and forgot to mark it. Now having a lot of trouble running the engine. Cannot for the life of me find anything resembling a timing mark.

 

[unclespevie]

hi 4WDPandamonium, i am in bradford.
not too far away really.

kevin

 

[VmanC]

Anyone tell me where the timing mark is on a 903cc flywheel? Took out the distributor and forgot to mark it. Now having a lot of trouble running the engine. Cannot for the life of me find anything resembling a timing mark.

It's a small round dimple according to Haynes manual. If you get the engine as near to tdc as possible, by putting a long rod into no.1 spark plug hole and turning the engine by hand until the rod is at it's highest, you should be able to spot it through the hole in the bell housing.

 

[Terrafied Scouser]

Thanks for the advice. In the end I stuck my thumb over the spark plug hole to feel the compression while turning the front wheel in 2nd gear with foot and hand (bit like a game of twister). Found I had the rotor arm pointing completely the wrong way. Still can't see any sign of the TDC mark (there is a dimple but its miles away from where its supposed to be). Anyway finally got it started and I am planning to get one of those TDC guages so I can accurately mark the flywheel and set the timing a bit more accurately.

 

[Good104]

Brilliant information here.
I am struggling to get my fiat panda classic timed right so this very helpful
Cheers