checking and adjusting timing on a 97 accord
 

how can i check the timing on my 97 accord, i try a timing gun but i couldnt find the marker for it. and also how can i adjust the timing. somone told me only way its to change out the whole timing belt, but the timing belt is pretty much new already so?

Re: checking and adjusting timing on a 97 accord
 

if you are asking about igniton timing (or distributor timing) then you need to use a timing light. you can follow this procedure http://www.c-speedracing.com/howto/timing/timing.php

if you are having trouble finding the marks, get under the car and look closely at the pulley, the color may be invisble due to dirt. you can re-mark them if needed.

your timing belt relates to cam timing. you can check that be turning the crank to the 0btc (see pic in link above), line it up with the line on the lower timing cover. remove the valve cover then make sure your cam gear is pointing up and the 90* and 270* marks are in line with the top of the timing cover

Re: checking and adjusting timing on a 97 accord
 

Ok what would the reason be to change the timing? I am assuming you want to advance it. And you will not be able to on your car without taking it to a shop and having it tuned. The link provided by the post above would be good for making sure the timing is on when it comes to the actual camshaft and crankshaft teeth timing. The distributor portion you need to just not even pay any mind to becuase you have a 97. All 96 and newer cars are OBD-2 which have electronic ignition. Where as 95 and older are OBD-1 (well most are, some car companies switched their vehicles to OBD-2 before the mandatory OBD2.) The means that a 95 and before if OBD-1 has an actual real distributor (even though you have one, it is not a true distributor) and you could turn the distributor and advance or retard timing like in the link. For your car, the computer automatically retards the timing on start up and during the warm up process, after that it will very it depending on different driving conditions. So you need a piggy back program to be able to adjust the timing for whatever the need is to change.

For checking it, it is as described in the link above.