help! i think i broke it[NG/NF ign. rough running]

[Ben Swann]

Time to take a step back and methodically check that the timeing belt has not slipped on you - too far off and valves and pistons will meet in an unfriendly manner.

Quick check:
Locate car on flat surface - easy to roll.

4th gear is good for rolling to turn engine over.

Get #1 piston to TDC - I make several reference checks:  Crank pulley notch aligned with dimple on cover can not be relied upon, but may get you in the ball park if it has not slipped.  Verify 0 mark on flywheel aligns with pointer in bellhousing.  Remove  #1 plug and carfully insert 1/2" rod (big screwdriver may do) letting engine turn as engine move back and fro til rod is at highest point - CAREFUL as rod will bind as piston rises, so need to do a tiny bit at a time.  This will get you dead on TDC and should coincide with TDC mark on flywheel.

At this time the notch on back of cam gear should align with the valve cover gasket.  This can sometimes be seen through a slight opening in the back of the cam pully cover, other wise you need to remove.

At this time, the distributor rotor should align with the #1 position on the cap.

Happy troubleshooting!

Ben

[Ok, more details, plugs, cap and rotor are pretty new (ie 3000 or less). Car
was running fine for around an hour or so, until I tried some hard starts
(read 4 wheel spin hard!!!!) so imho it has something to do with the extreme
shock through the car... infact, it was so bad I checked my drive shafts
initially, expecting to see one flapping around. If the timing went out of
whack due to the t belt (guilty here, have not changed it yet, and don't
know how old!!!) I cannot see how the ecu would know that the timing has
gone bad, but would still try and time the engine as standard but x degrees
out..... I have a timing light to hand now so that is going to be my first
check. 
 
Best Regards,
 
Alan Pritchard,
Mechanical design engineer,
Network administrator.
 
Seaeye Marine LTD.
+44 (0)1329 289000
www.Seaeye.com]