CAUSE OF IGNITION TOO EARLY AND IGNITION TOO LATE

Ignition timing is an important process that plays a big role in the performance
of an engine. Considering this, it makes sense that there would be ways to affect the
ignition timing process to increase vehicle performance. The best way to maximize
engine performance is through advancing or retarding ignition timing.

Ignition timing is an important process when it comes to running an engine. If

the spark plug fires too soon or too late during the compression stroke, damage to the
engine can occur over time.

If the ignition timing becomes out of sync, the fuel-and-air mixture will not be
burned properly. This can result in several symptoms that vary in severity and can
affect everything from drivability to fuel economy.

PINGING/KNOCKING
● Pinging or knocking indicates that pre-ignition is taking place. Pre-
ignition occurs when the fuel mixture in the engine's cylinder is ignited too soon
and the piston has not completed its compression stroke. This causes the fuel
and air mixture to ignite and push back against a piston as it is still trying to
compress the fuel and air mixture. Timing that is too far advanced will ignite the
fuel and air mixture too soon and will cause pre-ignition.

HARD STARTING
● In order for an engine to start, the fuel and air mixture must be ignited
within the cylinders at the proper time. If ignition timing is incorrect and causes
the spark plugs to fire too soon or too late, the fuel-and-air mixture will not be
ignited at the proper time which will cause the engine to become difficult to
start.

Overheating
● If ignition timing is too far advanced, it will cause the fuel-and-air
mixture to ignite too early in the combustion cycle. This can cause the amount of
heat generated by the combustion process to increase and lead to overheating of
the engine.

Low Power
● If the ignition timing is too far retarded it will cause the spark plug to
ignite the fuel-and-air mixture too late in the combustion cycle. This results in
 the fuel-and-air mixture not being fully burning and ignition taking place after
the piston has already begun moving downwards in its cylinder on the power
stroke of the combustion cycle. The end result is a loss of engine power.

Increased Fuel Consumption

● Incorrect timing will cause the fuel-and-air mixture to ignite at the
wrong time within the cylinders. This results in the fuel-and-air mixture not being
completely burned and a reduction in engine power. This poor combustion and
reduced power causes the engine to use more fuel to produce enough power to
propel the vehicle forward, which results in increased fuel consumption and
reduced fuel economy.