New member, need help with timing

[thedishking]

Hello Everyone!
I am new to your board, and am glad to have found it!

I have a '98 Mexican Beetle.

I recently purchased a new longblock from VW Mexico, and have gotten everything together successfully.

I am concerned about the timing.

I have the Vag Com software, and put a mark on the pulley at 7.5 degrees BTDC.

I had initally set the timing without the software and put the distributor at TDC at idle (roughly 830 RPM) and it has been running pretty good.

I thought I could make it run better, and want to make sure everything is set the way it is supposed to be to make my new motor last a long time.

I tried to follow the instructions - here is what I did:

1. I verified no fault codes existed
2. Wedged throttle so it would hold at 1500 rpm
3. Unplugged oil temp sensor
4. Turned distributor roughly 1/4", and got my 7.5 BTDC mark to line up with case.
5. Tighened distributor, plugged oil temp sensor back in


Everything seemed to work fine, however I had severe hesitation when I pressed accelerator, it was very unresponsive.
I have replaced spark plugs, wires, cap, rotor, fuel injectors, fuel filter and fuel lines, air filter, O2 sensor, etc.

I ended putting distributor where pulley shows TDC via strobe light at idle, which according to the book is wrong. The book specifies what I have listed above.

Am I missing something here?

Thank you so much for the help!

Travis in USA

[phade]

Hiya Travis,

First of all the ingition timing is NOT 7.5 degrees BTDC for the mexican beetle 1600i engine. The correct igntion timing is 6 degrees BTDC.

On the first documented method (my translastion of Manfred's original ignition timing documentation) you should set the ignition timing (and plug the oil temperature sensor plug back in) within 30 seconds after you have unplugged the engine oil temperature sensor. Whilst you are setting the ignition timing with the engine oil temeprature sensor unplugged, the engine speed should be increased back to 1500 RPM.

There's also a second (easier) method of setting the ignition timing on the 1600i website - http://www.1600i.de in the Electronics section. This method does not involve unplugging the engine oil temperature sensor, instead it involves putting the ECU into Basic Settings mode.

After you have set the ignition timing it would also be a good idea to check the ECU for faults and clear the fault memory.

Let me know how you get on.

Cheers,

Phil

[Doc]

Hello Travis,
as Phili mentioned, it's better to use the "basic-setting" method.
It's much more easier, safer and faster.
I strongly recommend it.
http://www.1600i.de/1600i-elektronik/ignition-easy/ignition-easy.html

regards
Manfred

_________________
Register Nr. 336

[thedishking]

Thank you both for the help.

I was able to successfully set my timing today using the easier method.

It does sound better.

I drove it about 6 miles and it seems good.

Thanks again for your help!!

Keep up the good work with the wonderful site!

Travis in USA