Dodgy timing

[pacman]

My 3.9 runs OK, but I suspect the timing is out.  People tell me to listen out for "pinking" but I'm not entirely sure what pinking sounds like.  One thing I have noticed is that when idling, if I then rev the engine hard, it misses a beat and then revs fine.  And when driving it appears fine.

Is this my timing that's out?

Thanks,
Paul

[sean m]

If its running fine and does not overheat and only misses now and again would not look to timing being out look at condition and colour of plugs,check plug leads start car in dark area and look under bonnet at leads to see if you can see any leads arcing. I would look at electrics first then fuel.

[drmike]

Does the 3.9 have a vacuum advance on the dizzie? Come to that does it have a dizzie?

That's what I'd look at first of all.

Mike

[Garth]

Pacman do you mean if on tickover and you put foot on throttle there is a "lag" before engine pics up?


Pinking is a tinny rattling sound when under load.
The timing can be miles out before you would notice

Yes to vacume advance and dizzy

[pacman]

Pacman do you mean if on tickover and you put foot on throttle there is a "lag" before engine pics up?


Pinking is a tinny rattling sound when under load.
The timing can be miles out before you would notice

Yes, exactly that.  And there is a noise when under load, sounds like a sparking sound...

Paul