Timing

moscow_silverado · September 13, 2002

Hey everyone, I have noticed that every once in a while my pickup will seem to have a spark knock, I replaced my plugs and it didn't get any better. While I was replacing my plugs I noticed that there is no distributor or anything like that.

SO!!

How is the 5.3 timed and controled and how do I change it?

Please help if you can!!!

siskiyou · September 14, 2002

I have heard this also, mostly when I pull my trailer. I just run premium while pulling and it solves the problem. I believe there is a knock sensor on the engine that will retard the timing if knocking gets too severe. The problem with this is you get a knock and it retards the timing, this cuts power so you press the pedal down harder, then you get more knock, it retards the timing further, less power so you press down harder....... So I run premium when I ask alot of it and the problem goes away.

Shaners · September 14, 2002

I believe that a programmer like the HyperTech III will change the timing in your truck. Like siskiyou said the computer will always be adjusting the settings while the truck is running, but by installing a new program or "map" it will allow for some control.

moscow_silverado · September 17, 2002

So if I took my rado in for a tune up would they be able to change anything and make it run better?? Or should I save my money and not worry about it.???

Thanks for all the great help!!

Shaners · September 17, 2002

If your truck is still under warranty you could have them check and see if there are any updates that are available to the onboard computer system. Those updates may help a little, but for the most part you would need to buy a handheld programmer like I mentioned before to see any noticable increases in performance.

CapnDean · September 19, 2002

Hey Moscow...you're playing with fire here!

My Dodge Experience.......

My 318 pinged like crazy. The suggested fix is to retard the timing. Problem is twofold... If you retard it too much, your performance hits the crapper. Now...YOU can't retard your timing. It takes a computer program to do it (sometimes called an update, or a 'flash'). In the case of my Dodge truck, you cannot unflash it once it has been flashed.

So there you have it...Once you screw with it and screw it up...you're stuck!

High performance chips traditionally advance your base timing, so if you are pinging now I would definitely NOT put a chip in it.

How I long for the good ole day when a chap could simply rotate that distributer a bit and be done with it!