k guys i know nothing about timing and i own a haynes manual but its confusing.....i fucked up my timing today...i was doing a tune up and when i replaced the distributer cap and rotor......well you know the small screw that holds the rotor in place.....(93 d16z6)...well i could not at all get that back on after installing the new rotor so i figured i would have my girlfriend turn the cover over (not start it) just turn it over until the screw hole was at the top to make it easier to get the screwdriver in there....well after getting the screw on and everything back together the car misses at idle.....did i ---- up the timing? i am worried becuase im not sure what to do....i do have a timing light....but know nothing about timing......could turning the car over without the dist cap and plug wires hooked up ---- up the timing? what do i do and is it an all day thin? man this sucks.

 

Turn the engine until cylinder number one is at TDC and the timing marks line up. If the marks are aligned properly, the rotor brush should point to the plug wire for number one cylinder in the distributor cap. If it points to number one, check and make sure all plug wires are installed in the proper firing order (1-3-4-2).

 

sounds like a spark plug wire isnt in if its missing. i dont think you messed up your timing. Sounds to me like you dont have a cyl firing. check your spark plug wires and make sure you have spark.

 

thanks for the quick replys guys i really appreicate it.......how do i get the # 1 cyl to TDC? sorry for the noob question but dist, and ---- is not my specialty. 1342 is the order so 1 would be closest to the firewall and 4 closest to the headlights?........as long as i didnt ---- up my timing im sure i can figure it out........i hate timing i would never be able to di it.......thanks guy anymore any more info is appreciated.......

 

take off ur driver side front tire, and look in, you should see the crankpulley with a big nut in the middle. get a big *** extension and a good lenth socket wrench (for the torque) and turn it to the left (counter-clockwise). from the top, look down at the pulley and when u see the white little mark line up with a ridge on ur lower belt cover, that's TDC for cylinder 1

 

thanks man..........that cleard that up for me i know what your talking about......so line the white mark up with that V shaped ridge? thanks.

 

yes

 

If the marks are not too visible, you can remove remove the spark plug from cylinder number one. Insert a piece of wire rod (12'') long or cut a plastic hanger and insert it into the number one plug hole. Turn the crankshaft and watch the wire or plastic rod as it rises. As soon as the piston reaches TDC the rod will stop moving upwards. If you turn it too much and it starts going down just back it up a little. The rotor should be pointing to number one wire. The wires should be in the following firing order:

#1 - about 2 o'clock
#3 - about 5 o'clock
#4 - about 8 o'clock
#2 - about 11 o'clock

Hope you find this helpful.

 

thanks guys...ill be doing this very soon .......i appreciate it...ill let ya know how it goes.

 

There's your problem, your motor is installed sideways.

#1 should be on the driver's side and so on. Wire trick works or you could use a long screwdriver, just be careful because you can damage your engine this way... If you feel any resistance, STOP and try again. I would pull all your plugs and turn it at the cam (clockwise) instead of at the crank and for god's sake, don't crank it over with the key unless you're going to start it up!

By the way, it's easier to turn if you pull all the plugs. Once the wire/screwdriver reaches it's highest point, check that the cam gear is in the "UP" position and your crank pulley points to the white line. Maybe you jumped a tooth?

Check all your plugs/wires again and make sure your rotor and cap are seated properly.