Timing advance

Tiny
BLAZEWW420
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 LINCOLN LS
  • 3.9L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 168,000 MILES
I have an obd II tool that's saying my timing advance is between 10 and 16. Is that normal?
Wednesday, February 17th, 2021 AT 10:34 AM

1 Reply

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
On these vehicles with variable valve timing, the PCM will adjust the timing on the situation it is called for. So at idle, I would expect to see less advance then at higher RPM.

Does you scan tool show what the base spark is set at? I would expect this to be around 15 degrees at idle and then less advance. However, if the base spark is around 5 degrees then it may be introducing more advance.

I would not be worried about this that much if there are no issues. The ECM monitors the desired timing and actual so if it is doing something that the ECM doesn't want it to do then it will set a code.

Here is a guide that has a little more info:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-camshaft-variable-valve-timing-works

Below you will find some info from the manual on this system.

Let us know if you have questions. Thanks
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Thursday, February 18th, 2021 AT 11:55 AM

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