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Topic: Timing is everything! (Read 853 times) previous topic - next topic

Timing is everything!

Hey guys and gals!

It's been a while since I've posted. Just wanted to update ya'll on my coach and the issues we were having. Emphasis on "were".

I finally got fed up with not being able to figure out why we would have intermittent heating issues. Intermittent back firing issues. Intermittent mis-firing issues. And not being able to figure it out... so I brought in a professional to look at my baby.

He came over to check it out... and noticed in about 20 seconds that my cap/rotor combo was loose and moving with vibrations of the engine. I wasn't even aware this was a possibility. Lol.

Anyhow, he taught me how to do timing adjustments. And carb adjustments. Very kind of him. And we tightened that sucker up. She was off by nearly 10 degrees.

No she runs like a dream. More power. Lower running temps. No back fire. No mis fires. Much more enjoyable and less stress inducing to drive.

We've put nearly 1000 miles on her since that repair and life couldn't be better.

Pretty excited about that.

So... timining is everything on these engines.
Husband & Wife Team. 3 Kids. 8 yo boy, 4 yo girl, 19 mth girl. Mostly Finished Renovating 1986 Grand Villa 3300 GVF SBI for a multi year trip around the country with the kids.

Re: Timing is everything!

Reply #1 –
Yep loose distributor cap/rotor will make you nuts. Timing is the very first thing in proper operation. Vacuum leaks will also
make big troubles. Glad you got it worked out.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Timing is everything!

Reply #2 –
Shout this guy out, real pros are hard to find. I hope you slipped him a little extra cash for your education. Experience can't be bought or taught. And you don't have to have ANY qualifications to make a you-tube. And yes timing is extremely important. Happy trails.
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: Timing is everything!

Reply #3 –
Not trying to bust the bubble but was'nt that one of the things somebody mentioned back when you first posted these problems,
I thought you had installed new plugs and checked the cap and rotor.That should and would have been the first thing done to the
engine,spark plugs,rotor and cap and there are tons of videos out there on how to do it.Glad you got it fixed and I think many of
us mechanic types would have found that in the same time frame.
 Went back and read previous posts,supposedly you did install new plugs rotor and cap,so what happened?
 Read the ones from 3 months ago and at least 2 posters told you to check the timing,what happened with that?
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Timing is everything!

Reply #4 –
@John - No bubble bursting here. I have no bubble. Lol.

Anyways... problem was timing wasn't an issue when I first started having the problems over a year ago. When I replaced the cap/rotors/wires/plugs the coach ran perfectly for several thousand miles. I was having heating problems at the time that were relating to the radiator fan clutch not engaging and the fuel lines for the crappy electric fuel pump a PO installed having been run over the top of the evening and causing vapor lock.

Once I got those issue resolved the coach ran fine for several thousand more miles until I got to Texas about three months ago and started having intermittent issues... like the occasional back fire... or the occasional mis-fire... (like once or twice per 150 mile trip). And sometimes it'd run on the warmer side of it's normal range... sometimes it would run on the cooler side. I kept checking things... couldn't find anything wrong with all the stuff I'd done with the help of all the great people here. (This was 3 months ago and when I posted the posts you are referring too). I should have checked timing like suggested... but I was having other issues that I thought were the cause... for instance my wires kept getting hot and melting because of the exhaust on the cylinders closer to the back of the engine... I thought this was my issue (certainly wasn't helping) and so replaced the wires + plugs again (lovely lifetime warranty on them from AutoZone) and got heat shielding protectors for the wires. Unfortunately, this would improve the intermittent issues, but not eradicate them... so I thought I was just doing something wrong with my plug/wire installs. My naiveté showing in full force. Lol.

When I couldn't figure out why I was having intermittent issues that would get slightly better when I put new wires and plugs on... I hired the mechanic (this was about two month ago). Walked him through my issues. He came into the coach with my story from the last 1000 miles and suspected that the cap/rotor bolt below had come loose. That's the first thing he checked and he was right. It wasn't so loose that it was wobbling or moving when the coach was stationary or off. Just enough that if you grabbed it with your hand... you could move it a degree or two. It seems the road vibrations were moving it. Hence my intermittent issues... that sometimes would go away almost completely or sometimes show up a lot... I assume depending on how far in or out of time it was getting moved as I drove or hit road bumps. I've been driving it with much joy and zero issues for the last two months.

That being said... you're absolutely right. You guys did tell me to check timing and if I were a more experience mechanic myself... I'd have hired someone to look at timing earlier. But as it stands... I went a whole month and about 500 miles with intermittent issues that all related to timing... and despite having read up a bunch about how to check and adjust timing... I confess I didn't quite understand it. I couldn't translate what I was seeing in youtube videos and reading in the how to guides into what I was seeing on my coach. For instance, I didn't really understand that the base I had installed the new cap/rotor onto was the thing that turned. I kept trying to figure out how to get the cap/rotor to turn on the base thing. Which didn't make sense. The mechanic showed me the hidden mounting bolt below the whole thing had come lose and lets the whole thing rotate. It was just a disconnect born of my own inexperience. 

If I wasn't such a sucker for hard work and crazy adventures... I'd have hired a pro to go over everything before I started my trip and had them find all my issues... From a business stand-point it would have been a better use of my time... cause of how much my time is worth... but I wanted to learn... I wanted the experience... and now a year later... I understand so much more about my engine and engines in general. I've had the opportunity to maintain or replace nearly everything attached to my engine. I know how to adjust a carburetor (or at least my carburetor). I know how to do engine timing now. I know know what a temperature activated fan clutch is (seriously... how cool is it that the fan clutch is filled with a fluid that basically changes viscosity based on temperature and after a certain temp is reached it engages the clutch? Brilliant).

You guys in here have been invaluable... and next time you tell me I should do something... and I can't figure it out... I'll swallow the pride and speak up more quickly on here or hire a pro to just come get it taken care of.

@old fart phred - The guys name is Mr Jump Start. If you're ever in the San Antonio area and need engine work. He's the guy -https://www.mrjumpstart.com
Husband & Wife Team. 3 Kids. 8 yo boy, 4 yo girl, 19 mth girl. Mostly Finished Renovating 1986 Grand Villa 3300 GVF SBI for a multi year trip around the country with the kids.

Re: Timing is everything!

Reply #5 –
As time goes by, it will get harder and harder to find Old School mechanics who understand carburetors, mechanical advance point-type distributors and vacuum advance canisters.  When was the last time anyone saw a dwell meter in use?  I still have a couple of them sitting in my garage, plus a little drawer full of assorted mechanical advance weights and springs.  Not much use for them these days...

FYI: One other "distributor" component that can give problems on high mileage engines: the drive gear.  It's on the end of the distributor thats sticks down into the engine block.  It meshes with a gear on the camshaft, and is what make the distributor rotor shaft turn.  If the gear becomes worn, you might experience some of the same symptoms as were caused by your loose distributor cap and hold-down bolt.  Pulling the distributor out to check the drive gear should only be done if deemed absolutely necessary, because getting the distributor back in place correctly is kinda tricky.  Best left to a "experienced" mechanic.  Just something to file away for future reference.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Timing is everything!

Reply #6 –
Chemist,keep us posted,I am probably one of the old school guys and would love to work on a gas engine,there are some
aftermarket ignition parts out there to boost the ignition system,will do a little research.Let us know your future travel locations.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Timing is everything!

Reply #7 –
MSD Ignition is one company that has improved distributors and controls.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Timing is everything!

Reply #8 –
Thanks again guys for all your thoughts and help.

I'm actually in an interesting predicament at the moment that's not related to the engine function at all.

We just found out we are having baby #4. Which is exciting... but also mean we are gonna outgrow this coach a lot faster than I had intended. Lol.

Anyways... I've got a deal going with another gentleman who has a 95 40ft GV SE that I love and we have bunk plans for the floor plan already. I'm super excited about that... but it mean I need to sell my baby. :(

It's a happy sad thing. I love my Grand Villa and I've poured a lot of time and love into renovating her. She's almost done... just needs someone to polish her and put on new stripes... she's pretty much done. Lots of other little things I could do of course... always another project we could come up with. So I'm sad to have to let her go... but excited to move into a diesel rig and have another kid.
Husband & Wife Team. 3 Kids. 8 yo boy, 4 yo girl, 19 mth girl. Mostly Finished Renovating 1986 Grand Villa 3300 GVF SBI for a multi year trip around the country with the kids.
 

Re: Timing is everything!

Reply #9 –
Quote from: AKATheAlchemist –
Thanks again guys for all your thoughts and help.

I'm actually in an interesting predicament at the moment that's not related to the engine function at all.
We just found out we are having baby #4. Which is exciting... but also mean we are gonna outgrow this coach a lot faster than I had intended. Lol.
Congrats!! Awesome awesome!!
Anyways... I've got a deal going with another gentleman who has a 95 40ft GV SE that I love and we have bunk plans for the floor plan already. I'm super excited about that... but it mean I need to sell my baby. :(

It's a happy sad thing. I love my Grand Villa and I've poured a lot of time and love into renovating her. She's almost done... just needs someone to polish her and put on new stripes... she's pretty much done. Lots of other little things I could do of course... always another project we could come up with. So I'm sad to have to let her go... but excited to move into a diesel rig and have another kid.

Buying wasnt so bad as I walked into a big win win for me with a Foretravel.

Selling? Not so much.. HArd to sell my Child on wheels.!!  :-*