Combustion engines are engineered with complex designs and structures that all work together to create one end product.

Sensors measure various parameters to get your engine running properly.

Ignition timing plays a critical role in any combustion enginehere’s how it functions and affects your engine.

ignition timing gun feature image-1

What Is Ignition Timing?

Ignition timing takes place during the compression stroke, making it relevant on most petrol-based vehicles.

The compression stroke is how the piston and valves act in a junction during a revolution.

internal engine diagram with valves

Image Credit:The Engineers Post

Ignition timing is the timing of the spark relative to the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber.

How Does Ignition Timing Affect Engine Performance?

If tuned properly, it’s possible for you to get noticeably more power out of the same setup.

improper combusion resulting in knock image

Imaged By:YouTube/ MSD Performance Ignition

On the contrary, you may miss out on extra power if done improperly.

For those that own other manufacturers, dedicated Timing Lights can be used to gather such information.

What Happens if Your Engine Isn’t Timed Correctly?

timing belt image with cam gears exposed

In prolonged cases, improper spark timing will inevitably damage the engine over its lifetime.

The difference between interference and non-interference motors is the way the valves open.

Interference engines open one or more valves to accommodate the piston’s full rotation.

However, a timing service will typically be a higher expense, as the job requires many labor hours.

Preventative maintenance can mediate potential problems, but it’s better to identify them using the proper tools.

In addition, OBD-II scanners made it easier to narrow down any issues your vehicle may be having.