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Number 1 question is how did it run before timing belt changed. If it ran fine before there is something wrong obviously. Engine sounds like it's running late. Give us some more details and we may able to help you.
Engine ran fine but when we took it apart to fix the keyway we saw that the timing marks were nowhere near lined up where they should be even after turning everything trying to line them up, and now it just does that, also it's very difficult to get all the marks to line up with the belt on, like one of the marks Is always slightly off. Whoever did it before has sharpie marks or something on the gears but only 1 mark on each gear so not sure why those are there. Also didn't replace the belt as it looks pretty new, only reason to mess with it is cause we saw the timing marks were way off
Not even sure what that is, never really worked on engines before so this is a first, followed a video and had help from my step-dad who was a mechanic, he is very lost too cause all marks lined up
It’s the Cam Angle Sensor. It’s at the back of the valve cover. You rotate it to advance/retard the timing.
Post your question in r/miata and they’ll help you get things right.
Also, triple check all the vacuum hoses to make sure that you didn’t forget to connect one.
I had a MX-3 with the 1.8 and 2.5L KLZE, I ran into the timing issue you are describing. It’s lined up but when you pull the retaining pin it’s off a tooth or half a tooth right? Well you need to adjust it to account for that. Basically go a tooth back and when the tension comes on it’s in the right spot. It’s finicky but it’s possible. Also as the other guy was talking about there’s a small diagnostic box under the hood. The MX-3’s was near the firewall around the master brake cylinder, you use a paper clip to make the connection to pin 10 and ground. Maybe start the car without it jumped and let it warm up, when warmed up shut it down and install the paper clip, then you loosen your distributor cap and use a timing light to adjust the timing. You flash it down by the crankshaft pulley, while the clip for the timing light is on cylinder 1’s spark plug wire, the timing belt cover has markings that will coincide with a mark on the crank pulley. Consult a manual that tells you how advanced your timing should be and turn your distributor cap until the notch lines up the the degree of timing you should have. Not to add to your issues but changing your timing belt is a great time to install a new water pump as well as it’s all in the same spot and when the water pump leaks it wrecks your timing belt.
Hope this helps, I think I’m correct but it’s been a long time since I’ve done it
I've never worked on an engine before, also my step-dad is a mechanic and also has no idea what your talking about, but he's also never worked on a miata
step 1 bring car to operation temp.
2, find diagnosis port under hood, jump 10 to ground
3, loosen Cas and turn slowly left or right pick 1, and look for engine speed change
4. remove paper clip
yea timings off, it sounds too far advanced, need to back off a bit, it's called retard, I'm not calling u names, Google how to advance timing,
I can't remember which way to turn, if I have to guess, facing thr car hand on Cas, turn right, u can only do very minor adjustments
just go watch a video on it
Idk if it helps determine anything but when we had the car apart when it was running fine, none of the timing marks were anywhere near lined up. I'll try messing with the cas tomorrow but honestly doubt it's gonna do anything after everything I've tried
Thank you for posting to AskMechanics, SnooSongs3549! If you are asking a question please make sure to include any relevant information along with the **Year**, **Make**, **Model**, **Mileage**, **Engine size**, and **Transmission Type (Automatic or Manual)** of your car. *This comment is automatically added to every successful post. If you see this comment, your post was successful.* *** Redditors that have been verified will have a green background and an icon in their flair. *** # **PLEASE REPORT ANY RULE-BREAKING BEHAVIOR** ### **Rule 1 - Be Civil** Be civil to other users. This community is made up of professional mechanics, amateur mechanics, and those with no experience. All mechanical-related questions are welcome. Personal attacks, comments that are insulting or demeaning, etc. are not welcome. ### **Rule 2 - Be Helpful** Be helpful to other users. If someone is wrong, correcting them is fine, but there's no reason to comment if you don't have anything to add to the conversation. ### **Rule 3 - Serious Questions and Answers Only** Read the room. Jokes are fine to include, but posts should be asking a serious question and replies should contribute to the discussion. ### **Rule 4 - No Illegal, Unethical, or Dangerous Questions or Answers** Do not ask questions or provide answers pertaining to anything that is illegal, unethical, or dangerous. # **PLEASE REPORT ANY RULE-BREAKING BEHAVIOR** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AskMechanics) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Number 1 question is how did it run before timing belt changed. If it ran fine before there is something wrong obviously. Engine sounds like it's running late. Give us some more details and we may able to help you.
Engine ran fine but when we took it apart to fix the keyway we saw that the timing marks were nowhere near lined up where they should be even after turning everything trying to line them up, and now it just does that, also it's very difficult to get all the marks to line up with the belt on, like one of the marks Is always slightly off. Whoever did it before has sharpie marks or something on the gears but only 1 mark on each gear so not sure why those are there. Also didn't replace the belt as it looks pretty new, only reason to mess with it is cause we saw the timing marks were way off
Your CAS adjusted properly?
Not even sure what that is, never really worked on engines before so this is a first, followed a video and had help from my step-dad who was a mechanic, he is very lost too cause all marks lined up
It’s the Cam Angle Sensor. It’s at the back of the valve cover. You rotate it to advance/retard the timing. Post your question in r/miata and they’ll help you get things right. Also, triple check all the vacuum hoses to make sure that you didn’t forget to connect one.
Did you plug in the spark wires in the right location on the coil??
Yea all the coils are in the right spot
I had a MX-3 with the 1.8 and 2.5L KLZE, I ran into the timing issue you are describing. It’s lined up but when you pull the retaining pin it’s off a tooth or half a tooth right? Well you need to adjust it to account for that. Basically go a tooth back and when the tension comes on it’s in the right spot. It’s finicky but it’s possible. Also as the other guy was talking about there’s a small diagnostic box under the hood. The MX-3’s was near the firewall around the master brake cylinder, you use a paper clip to make the connection to pin 10 and ground. Maybe start the car without it jumped and let it warm up, when warmed up shut it down and install the paper clip, then you loosen your distributor cap and use a timing light to adjust the timing. You flash it down by the crankshaft pulley, while the clip for the timing light is on cylinder 1’s spark plug wire, the timing belt cover has markings that will coincide with a mark on the crank pulley. Consult a manual that tells you how advanced your timing should be and turn your distributor cap until the notch lines up the the degree of timing you should have. Not to add to your issues but changing your timing belt is a great time to install a new water pump as well as it’s all in the same spot and when the water pump leaks it wrecks your timing belt. Hope this helps, I think I’m correct but it’s been a long time since I’ve done it
ohhhh miata, sry, no ideal, mess with timing? rotate distributor u have to use paper clip and jump 10 to ground to enter programming mode
What are you talking about, you have to mess with electrical stuff to do timing??? That doesn't even make sense
ok, not everyone deserves mx5 confirmed
I've never worked on an engine before, also my step-dad is a mechanic and also has no idea what your talking about, but he's also never worked on a miata
is ok, most mechanic can't do old cars, Google what I said, I has miata na, I know alot
What would programming mode do for anything, what does that even mean.
step 1 bring car to operation temp. 2, find diagnosis port under hood, jump 10 to ground 3, loosen Cas and turn slowly left or right pick 1, and look for engine speed change 4. remove paper clip
The only issue with that is it idles fine, only issue is when trying to rev it above an idle
yea timings off, it sounds too far advanced, need to back off a bit, it's called retard, I'm not calling u names, Google how to advance timing, I can't remember which way to turn, if I have to guess, facing thr car hand on Cas, turn right, u can only do very minor adjustments just go watch a video on it
Idk if it helps determine anything but when we had the car apart when it was running fine, none of the timing marks were anywhere near lined up. I'll try messing with the cas tomorrow but honestly doubt it's gonna do anything after everything I've tried
how r u reply so fast
Cause I'm on my phone trying to figure out what I'm gonna try next cause I have no car to get to work and can't afford to take it to a shop
And it's 4 am