Hi all,

My car is pinging, and premium gas didn't help, so my it's been suggested that I adjust the timing. I'm not sure how to do that..... tips? instructions?

It's been recommended that I adjust it by about 5 degrees. I don't know yet (since i'm at work, and my car isn't) if there are degree markings that I can reference. Also, I believe I adjust it counter-clockwise (assuming I am facing the rear of car).... sound right? I'm not going to rush out and do it, I want to get som good feedback 1st.

ANy special tools needed? Also, any suggestions for other stuff to try to make the pinging stop before I try this?


much thanks!!!!

susan.
--
Emperor for Life - Leaky Volvo Club of America (LVCOA)

You can do quite a good static timing check just by turning the engine slowly with a wrench with the ignition on, and watching the timing marks on the crankshaft pulley while listening for the click at the distributor or watching number 1 plug if you remove it.
Check this against the book for a start - it may be too advanced.
Then you can make small adjustments, say 1/2 degree retard at a time, until the pinking stops. But everything else needs to be in good order before you start making adjustments.

In the old days, especially on hight mileage engines, we used to "power time" them. You start off with pretty conservative timing then start advancing it (usually clockwise) a little then driving it under a heavy load (heavy load usually being fairly slow, high gear, up hill). If no ping, advance it a hair more, drive, listen for ping, etc.

Once you got a light ping under heavy load then back it off just a little. Ideally just a hint of very light pinging under a very heavy load (at operating temperature) would be about optimum timing for power for your particular engine.

The above applies only if you have followed dlot's suggestions about looking for vacuum leaks and other things that might cause a lean condition.

Good luck,

Justin B.
83 Turbo

You want to do a careful visual inspection of all the vacuum hoses and the
intake air ducting. Air/vacuum leaks like this can make your car ping.
Be sure to follow all the hoses to their destinations. Like the ones that
go to the charcoal canister. Also your ignition computer has a vacuum
connection on it. The ignition is the black box next to the washer reservoir.
Make sure the vacuum hose for this is good. It goes under the engine to
the intake manifold and can get a hole anywhere along the way when the hoses
get old.

To adjust the timing you need a 13mm socket on an extension with rachet. A
timing light, preferably with a clamp on style sensor. The engine should
be warmed up and idling. On the left front strut tower there is supposed
to be a sticker that tells you what the timing gets adjusted to. It will also
tell you if you need to disconnect any vacuum hoses and plug them. The sensor on the timing light goes on the cylinder closest to the front of the car.

Once you connect the timing light you are going to shine it at the crankshaft pulley while motor idles. The flash of the light signals when cylinder 1 fires.
There is a scale on the timing cover which is where you aim the light. There
is also a mark on the crank pulley that will line up with the degree marks
on the scale. Read what your car is adjusted to on the strut tower. Then
see what the light flashes on when that mark on the crank pulley lines up
with the degrees marked on the timing cover scale. You adjust this by loosening
the distributor bolt which is behind it near the block. It is in a slot
that allows for a certain amount of rotation. So, if the marks are lined
up in the right spot you loosen the hold down bolt and slowly turn the
distributor till the marks line up. Tighten the bolt. Recheck after tightening.
Now reconnect any vacuum lines, disconnect the timing light and your done.

Very common on Volvo 240s for the distributor to seize in it's location.
I've had to soak them for a week somtimes before they came loose. That's
a worst case. A timing light and rachet set aren't expensive but they are
needed. Baring any problems with the distributor it's really a quick and
easy thing to check and set on a car. Just be careful around a running
motor. Watch leaning around moving engine parts and the fan. Hope this
helps you. If you aren't familiar with all these parts look at the motor
and find these spots with it off. Once you orient yourself, go for it.

Dave 82 242ti