Q:
A: Do you have experience with using a strobe light, and watching the timing marks on the flywheel? Then you rotate the distributor a slight amount. I think your 1.4 engine is one of the TU versions? or is it an XU with fuel injection?? I'm pretty sure you have a TU3 carburated 1.4 litre engine. The timing should be 4 degrees BTDC at idle speed of 700 or 750 rpm. Basically, here's the procedure... 1. warm up engine to operating temp. 2. stop engine, remove plastic cover over the flywheel and timing marks. 3. slightly!! loosen two distributor mounting bolts 4. restart engine, fasten strobe light to #1 spark plug and battery. Measure idle speed with hand-held tachometer if possible. 5. KNOW in advance if your timing marks should be zero or as much as 10 degrees BTDC (Before Top Dead Center) at a specific idle speed rpm's. The engine is spinning counter-clockwise as seen from the gearbox side. TWO slots in the metal plate are: upper = x degrees BTDC. lower = TDC 6. slightly rotate distributor until the warm engine is timed according to specs. 7. retighten distributor bolts, replace plastic flywheel inspection cover. Get help if this is your first attempt. A spinning engine is dangerous to fingers, clothing, long hair. Don't be careless.