Club 80-90 Forums

1982 t25 2ltr cu engine. Quick question......think my timing is completely off and wondered if there's any way of roughly setting the timing manually as my van wont start due to the timing being way off. Is there any way of setting the dizzy up initially so i can get my van started and properly set the timing with my strobe light?

yes

get it to TDC on No1, easiest way is to take the spark plug out and turn it over with your finger in the hole ( assuming this is possible on an Aircooled, might need a bit of hose between your hand and the plug recess), you will feel the stroke with compression, if in doubt go around again, remember the crank turns twice between compression strokes.

Then take dizzy cap off and make sure the rotor arm is pointing at the spark plug lead for No1 ( or where it would be if the cap was on), if not then slacken pinch bolt and rotate dizzy until it is.

This is timed now roughly to TDC which is good enough to start it.

You could even rotate crank to the timing mark and align dissy with No 1 lead to be more accurate on initial setting.

Hello,

So you did not mark the dizzy with a tippex (or similar) pen when we set this up last time..

When are you going to buy a timing light..

Sunny and snow here, how it it with you?

Cordialement,

thanks itchyfeet, i think i understand how to do that and will try tomorrow

unfortunately thats the one thing i did'nt mark with tipex when i set the dizzy up

Have bought a timing light now so once i can get my van started i can time it properly at last!!

Cold and sunny here but we did get an unexpected hour of snow yesterday morning......first time for 5 years which was a nice surprise

I take it you've been doing lots of sking the? managed 2 weeks in the pyrenees ourselves last month....awesome.

Tried to do what you said itchyfeet but still can't get the bloody van to fire up. Also noticed when i took the spark plug out it had petrol on it......so removed another and again its wet with petrol......is this normal?

If there's no spark igniting the fuel the plugs will be wet:

Try this - basically same as itchyfeet said

Rotate engine until fan is at TDC - is the rotor arm pointing somewhere near number 1 cylinder connection on the dizzy

If it's 180 degrees out from pointing at number 1 rotate the fan one complete turn and it should be somewhere near number 1 now.

Look at the edge of the distributor (remove the plastic shield if there is one). There should be a mark / notch on the lip. Move the dizzy until the rotor arm is pointing at the mark. These are from other models, but the idea is the same



You should now have the static timing somewhere near TDC, which means she should start, you can then use your strobe to set accurately

Sounds like there is no spark. Take out a plug and fasten it to the high tension lead then rest it or hold it with a plastic handled screwdriver/pliers so that the body of the plug is earthed. Turn the engine over whilst you watch to see if there is a spark? if there isn't you need to check the points/hall sender unit etc. etc. Hope this helps.

Hello,

Did you change the coil ( ie fit an electronic/transistorised one) when you changed the dizzy..

I told you at the time to get the kit:...



This is the cheapo one where you have to solder on the terminals.

Snow here..; off skiing Monday for at least a week.

Cordialement,

yes i did buy the whole kit so the coil is new

Managed to set the timing to TDC manually, although there is no notch on the dizzy to line up the rotor arm, so i think its right.........but still can't get the engine to fire up haven't managed to check the park plugs yet for a spark as i'm doing this on my own.

Before i did anything yesterday i did check a couple of the spark plugs and they were both damp with fuel......why would this be?

don't know if this might be a factor but the van hasn't been started for 3 months over the winter until i tried the other day

Have fun skiing tomorrow.....very jealous!!

so what should i look to do if there's no spark?

Hello,

Just back down from the ski and jazz festival..

1st, check with a voltmeter that you have a working 12 feed to the + terminal on the coil when the ignition is switched on..

Cordialement,

hello

i trust you had a great week

sorry to sound like a dumb ass but what exactly do you do to check with a voltmeter that you have a working 12 feed to the + terminal on the coil when the ignition is switched on??

merci

Hello,

Live feed to coil test..

switch volt meter range to read 12 volts DC

switch on ignition

Leaving the cables connected put the red lead onto the + terminal of the coil, and the - lead to a good earth

should give 12 volts..

Cordialement.

Good afternoon

Just tried live feed coil test and the best result i can get is 11.19 Volts

i tried earthing the black probe in various places but this is the best reading i can get.

Is this ok or if not what is the next thing to check?

merci

Hello,

So if you have power to the coil...(maybe the battery could do with a good charge)..

Now check that all the leads and terminals are clean and shiny..

Then check for a spark at the plug...undo a lead from a plug, fit your spare plug on the lead,
hold against a good earth, using a pair of insulated pliers, you should see a spark when the engine is turned over.

Cordialement,