Checking for oil leaks
If an engine needs topping up with fresh oil more than usual, or if you see a pool of oil under the engine where the car has stood, there is an oil leak. Trace the source immediately. Read more
Timing
Articles tagged with Timing
Adjusting a camshaft timing belt
The tension of the toothed belt that drives an overhead camshaft must be checked at the intervals set by the servicing routine laid down in the car handbook. Check it also whenever you remove and refit the belt or the cylinder head . Read more
Adjusting the static timing
The timing mechanism in the ignition system causes the sparkplug to fire in each cylinder just before the piston reaches top dead centre ( TDC ) on its compression stroke . Read more
Stroboscopic timing
A static timing check with the engine stationary is never fully accurate. It does not allow for wear or between two parts such as the teeth of gears. data-term-id="1310">backlash Read more
How engine timing works
For an engine to work at its best, the fuel /air mixture in each cylinder must fire just as the piston reaches top dead centre ( TDC ). Read more