Hello All,

Can removing the distributer completely and putting it back on without proper knowledge, mess up your timing or timing belt in any way? thanks

 

bump

 

If you don't install the dist. in the same exact position as it was before then your timing will be off.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by all-mtr-teg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If you don't install the dist. in the same exact position as it was before then your timing will be off.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Aight thanks. Long story short, a friend of mine let a kid take off his distributer to try it out on his car, went to put it back and his car wouldn't start up.

 

It could be 180 out. take it off and spin the shaft all the way around. Might be it

 

Either that or the other kid shorted out the coil or module by putting it on his car.

 

On most Honda's the distributer slot is actually offset from center so that it cannot be installed 180 deg off. If the slot looks like it is lined up, but it doesn't push in easy, turn it 180 and try again. The distributer should slide right in easy.

I suggest getting a timing light so you can check each cylinder and time the engine correctly. However, without a timing light you could try the following. If you got the distributer installed, and the timing belt was never removed, and the car doesn't start, then first loosen the distributer bolts and rotate the distributer as far toward the front of the car as it will go. Tighten the bolts, and try starting the car. If it still won't start, loosen the bolts, rotate the distributer toward the back of the car a little bit, then try again. Do this over and over until you can't rotate the distributer back any further. If the coil is good, and the timing belt is on correct, the car will start. If you are able to rotate the distributer all the way and still nothing, then you have another problem. I have done this procedure multiple times on B18A's and B's. The VTEC distributer may be different.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mc-integra111 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">On most Honda's the distributer slot is actually offset from center so that it cannot be installed 180 deg off. If the slot looks like it is lined up, but it doesn't push in easy, turn it 180 and try again. The distributer should slide right in easy.

I suggest getting a timing light so you can check each cylinder and time the engine correctly. However, without a timing light you could try the following. If you got the distributer installed, and the timing belt was never removed, and the car doesn't start, then first loosen the distributer bolts and rotate the distributer as far toward the front of the car as it will go. Tighten the bolts, and try starting the car. If it still won't start, loosen the bolts, rotate the distributer toward the back of the car a little bit, then try again. Do this over and over until you can't rotate the distributer back any further. If the coil is good, and the timing belt is on correct, the car will start. If you are able to rotate the distributer all the way and still nothing, then you have another problem. I have done this procedure multiple times on B18A's and B's. The VTEC distributer may be different.</TD></TR></TABLE>
That is ALOT OF GREAT INFO.

 

ive got the same issue right now, i have a obd0 ls b18a, replaced head gasket, put it back together and it started but timing was off so i took it apart and set the timing according to the book and now im getting fuel but no spark, ive set the timing a good 5 times now and im starting to get a little pissed off cuz the car wont even start now.

 

Unfortunately, if you are not getting spark at all then the timing procedure will not work. If you are not getting spark then you need to work backwards from the spark plug and figure out where the voltage is lost (Plug, wire, distributer cap, igniter, ECU signal). The procedure for checking these parts is beyond my knowledge. If I have a problem with no spark, I start replacing each of these components until the engine runs, then I know which part was bad (I always have a whole spare ignition system for the race car cause I don't trust electrical crap).

BTW, I'm glad the ignition timing procedure can help others.