hey guys,
i got a question on what happens when your timing is too far advanced or too far retarded. the car in question is a ford laser, 1.6l sohc.
Im unable to accuratle set the timing on the engine, becuase the timing marks are stuffed and im unable to replace them.
what i wanna know is what symptoms is there when you adjust you timing too far forward or back. apart from "blowing up the engine"
what happened is, i adjusted the timing forward. the car ran mint and pulled all the way through redline. anyways, i was going down this hill and for the last couple 100 meter i used the engine to slow down, as soon as i made to the bottom of the hill the head gasket blew between cylinders 2 and 3. wa this a result of too far advanced timng?
i fixed it and retarded the timing , now the car has no tourqe at all, it barley makes it to 4000 (no pont going above) and when im cruising at e.g 100kph the engine pulls forwrd then it feels like it surges, and keeps doing it. also, when im braking using the engine, the exhaust constantly makes a popping noise. is this the result of too far retarded timing?
i know these engines inside out, but this has me stumped. the timing belt is on perfect, as well as the plugs and leads etc.
any help would be appricated.
thanks
steve