Timing Out?

[DTM]

So I got rid of the air-con and found while doing it that I suspect the intake cam to be out of timing by probably a tooth. The reason I suspect this is that when the bottom end it locked with the slots in the cams in the correct place (can't remember if its above or below centre now) the cam locking tool doesn't fit with the intake cam probably a tooth advance of where it should be.

I noticed when I got the cambelt and dephaser changed the engine ran a bit rougher but as I'd taken it to a specialist I assumed the work had be done correctly and it would settle down, it didn't and I got used to it and didn't think anything else of it until now.

Three questions, will the car be down on power by much or do long term damage?

could it be mapped to take account / advantage of this advance?

Or am I just better taking it to bits and sorting it, which I'm more than capable of doing? :dapprove:

Thanks.

 

[Russ_16v]

Does it feel underpowered mate? with it out it can loose some power, yes

 

[DTM]

It's really hard to tell to be honest, but I do think it runs out of puff after 6K.

 

[ND04]

I'd be getting your car back to where you got it done to find out and see someone else to do it if they have done it wrong in the first place .

 

[DTM]

I would have done if it was only a couple of month ago but its about 12months since and don't really see how I can now go back to them + wouldn't feel happy taking it back to them now anyway.

 

[Russ_16v]

As standard they usually run out of puff as they close in on 7k but still should pull well to 6.5k, id get the tools and a new belt and re - do it mate, if you can do it your self then its only a mornings work at most, then its peace of mind for you

 

[DTM]

I'm with you Russ, I think that's probably the way forward, I was just also interested in the potential to make a gain from the error as I know the RS2 inlet makes use of a timing advance on the inlet similar to what I currently have.

 

[Russ_16v]

It is possible to make a gain as you say mate, depending on how it is out - id like to see the results from that Semi-grp N timing tool that a chap sells on here

 

[DTM]

So as I understand it from the thread I found with Chip talking technical, the timing as standard is suited to the standard inlet with its long inlet track, and the advanced timing is more suited to the shorter inlets due to the pressure differences attained by each, if you scroll down to the bottom of this page I've linked you can see the cam timing tool they've been talking about -
http://www.stone-automotive.com/index.php/clio-rs-products/clio-rs2-inlet

So I think even if I went to get it mapped with the advanced inlet timing I'm still going to be losing out unless I change the inlet manifold, which I don't see happening with the RS2 been over 1k, although they're saying 200bhp is possible with the advance timing and the RS2'd inlet, which is amazing really!

 

[DTM]

Just to finish this post off, I took the time belt off, re-timed the engine up (note, ensure crank pulley is free to move once crack is locked), this retarded the timing by a few degree.

I didn't realise how crap my car was before, it pulls better, accelerates faster, runs smoother and puts a smile on my face , all that from a few degree out on the cams!

 

[v16daf]

Mpg probably better as well?

 

[DTM]

Mpg probably better as well?

Yep! :race:

 

[DTM]

Just to finish this post off, I took the timing belt off, re-timed the engine up (note, ensure crank pulley is free to move once crank is locked), this retarded the timing by a few degree.

I didn't realise how crap my car was before, it pulls better, accelerates faster, runs smoother and puts a smile on my face , all that from a few degree out on the cams!

Never mind the timing think I've been retarded, maybe re-read my post next time!