how to set timing for 87 sentra??

slazzy2k · Jul 8th, 2004, 12:21 AM

Ok, so I hooked up a timing light to my car tonight to check the timing. Haynes manual says something about disconnecting a vacuum line from the vacuum control modulator. I searched the engine bay, couldn't seem to find it and the sticker under the hood doesn't mention plugging any vacuum lines at all. Anways, I had a look at the timing at it looked to me like it was at -5 degrees which seemed really odd. I moved the distributor to set it to +7 deg, took it for a test drive, and noticed pinging right away. Did I do something wrong?? I retarded the timing down to 0 deg, and it doesn't seem to ping right now. The car is an auto, it's carbed, and it has 295,000km on it. I'm going to rebuild the carb over the weekend and maybe pull the timing cover to check the marks under there. A buddy of mine suggested a vacuum leak might make my timing look off???

Myetball · Jul 8th, 2004, 12:40 AM

The vacuum modulator is a black thingy on the passenger side fender wall. Has an electrical connector and some vacuum lines. You should be able to hear it ticking away while the engine is running. I usually just disconnect the electrical connector, this disables the modulator. Basically what you are doing is disabling any automatic advance for the distributor.