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Lude bogging down after the dizzy change

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2018 9:09 am
by Free Ranj Egg
Gents,

I got the dizzy changed yesterday and the engine management light is off and the car engages vtec fine. However when I picked the car up and took it for a drive, it was very hesitant and wouldn't shift like it normally does.

I waited for it to warm up before giving it the beans and it seems to be bogging down. I have had a look online and apparently the dizzy change can knock out the timing by a tooth? Is this the case?

Other things that have recently been changed on the car is the spark plugs, the fuel filter has been replaced, the leads are probably about 60k mileage old.

The car seemed to be fine before the dizzy was changed? Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

Ranj

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2018 9:18 am
by vanzep
it will most likely be the dizzy -if you put the old one back in you should know for sure ;)

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2018 9:23 am
by Merlin
Was the ignition timing set correctly after the dizzy was swapped? If the service connector wasn't jumped before timing was adjusted it hasn't been done properly. See here http://www.ludegeneration.co.uk/honda-p ... 11854.html

The Dizzy is on the other end of the cam shaft from all the mechanical timing bits (where all the belts are) and the dizzy can only go on the end of the cam one way. So it can't be that.

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2018 9:27 am
by Scott560
When replacing the distributor , its very important to recheck the 'base ignition timing' by using a timing light.

You can see that the Dizzy can pivot around its shaft, effectively you are moving the cam/crank sensors with respect to the actual position of the engine rotation.

That is to say, the ECU doesn't know what the real timing is, as it can be offset by twisting the dizzy. You cannot just plonk a new one in and be happy - thats terrible. Cambelt where, head height etc can all affect the timing, so it must be reset after any work to these areas.

To set the static ignition timing (off the top of my head, been a while since i checked mine)

0) start and warm up the car, shut it off.
1) loosen 2 of the dizzy nuts off completely, leave the top one slightly stiff
2) bridge the service connector under the dash area (the one to look at error codes), keep it bridged, fire up the car.
3) remove the little black rubber bung on the crank case/bell housing (by the engine number fron tof block)
4) use a timing strobe light , triggered by spark plug number 1 (the one closest to the dizzy at the 'front' of the engine (left side)
5) with the engine warmed up and running a static ignition (by virtue of the jumper wire):
6) shine timing light strobe into the void to view the flywheel - it has a white mark.
7) twist the dizzy by tapping it gently with your ratchet to gently move it around (either backwards or forward)
8) observe the white mark on the flywheel moving with respect to the dizzy moving (changing the static timing essentially)
9) align the white mark on the flywheel with the little indicator arm visible through the window - be sure to be looking at it dead on
10) once static timing is set with the mark, tighten up the dizzy, remove service wire, restart engine and go for a drive.

it might take a while for a change in the ignition timing to trim up any fueling adjustments, so you might feel slightly 'adjustments' as you are low/part throttle/normal driving (like on a shyte fairground ride where they notch up the power on those massive mechanical switches). Eventually it will settle down after a tank of petrol or so...

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2018 10:34 am
by Free Ranj Egg
Cheers gents. I will take it back to the mechanic with this information and see what he has to say.

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2018 10:35 am
by Free Ranj Egg
Is it worth me driving it round for a few more days and see if things change?

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2018 11:03 am
by Scott560
no - if it wasn't set properly, the timing will be all wrong.

If they didn't bridge the connector, and use a timing gun on it - its wrong, end of.

I have a timing gun depending on where you are - it was cheap from ebay <£20 but gets the job done. Only takes a few minutes to do. I'm near oxford if your local...

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2018 11:06 am
by Max
What he said ^^ im in Cheltenham if it helps.

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2018 11:15 am
by Free Ranj Egg
I'm in Birmingham bud so its a bit of a distance. If its only a few minutes work I will take it back to the mechanic on Saturday. If that fails I may take you up on your offer.

I just don't want to be driving the car long distance. In the mean time is it ok to use for short trips.

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2018 11:29 am
by Free Ranj Egg
scott560 - I may need to take you up on your offer mate. Spoke to the mechanic and he said he doesn't have a timing gun. He basically said take it to a Honda specialist.

If the car is good to drive at a lowish speed I can bring it up on Saturday morning if you are free. PM me a cost as well bud.