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MG MGF Technical - Timing light on K-Series

I have a 1800 k-series using a programable ecu and I wanted to put a timing light on the crank pulley just as a check to see what the engine is running at.
Problem is my engine has two coils one which sits on no 1 plug and has a HT lead that goes to no 4 and one that sits on no 3 and has a HT lead going to no 2.
This stops me putting the timing light pick up clamp around no 1 spark plug lead as ther is isn't one.
Anyone know the solution.
Dave Smith

Hi Dave,
I might be wrong on this one but wouldn´t you get a flash twice ,i.e when connected to 4 lead there is also a wasted spark as well as a "real" one? This means that despite there is also an offset flash somewhere aside the timing mark the correct timing mark will be flashed as well.... As long as the timing light can cope with twice the freq. of flashes it should be OK.
I assume your engine is the "new" K with integrated coils from wich I have little experience,anyway worth a try.

BR, Carl.
Carl Blom

I agree with Carl - you'll just get twice the number of flashes. You may find that the timing is not stable - modern ECUs may shift ignition advance around to maintain a nice constant idle.
What data will you be comparing the results to ?
Steve

What are you trying to acheive? you cannot set the timing with the mems, it measures the position of the crank using a sensor which is on the inlet side of the engine and points backwards into the back of the flywheel. The sensor is solidly mounted and cannot be moved. The flywheel has a series of lumps and bumps which trigger the sensor magneticly, it is anchored on six bolts and a lug, again these cannot be moved.
Will

Dave,
You cannot use a conventional timing light on an MGF.
Robert
R J Hemphill

We dont know what programmable ECU Dave is using....
Might not even use the original crank sensor. / Carl.
Carl Blom

R J Hemphill says >You cannot use a conventional timing light on an MGF.< I think Dave was aware of that Robert BUT that was not what his question was SO as an 'Automotive Engineer' perhaps you could give a more informative answer.

Ted

PS I don't know the answer either.
Ted Newman

This thread was discussed between 22/12/2004 and 26/12/2004

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