I believe my 2.3L has jumped time because it is doing the same thing my mazda did when it jumped time 'loss of power and gas mileage." Can anyone tell me how to check or get it put back in time. Just trying to save myself some money without having to take it to a mechanic. I work at a body shop therefore i have access to tools and a lift to make things easier. Thanks

 

Check it with a timing lite. If you don't have one, someone in your shop should. The timing numbers should be on your emissions label. That motor has a timing belt. aAnd it's an interference engine. Meaning if it breaks or gets far enough off time. KABLEWEY! Valves run into pistons.

 

How would i use the timing light?

 

First off, find the timing mark on the crank pulley. Clean off all the crap. Mark it with some chalk. That will make it more visable. An inductive lite is the best one. Hook up the positive cable to your positive battery term. Negative to negative terminal. Look at the pick-up assy. If it has a mark on it saying COIL SIDE, that side faces the coil. Clip the pick up onto the #1 plug wire. Make sure the cables are clear of anything that moves. Start the car. Point the timing lite at the crank pulley. Aim for the timing mark. Pull the trigger. There should be a scale on theh crank pulley or a piece of metal hanging over it. look at the scale. When #1 fires, the light is triggered. It will go off like a strobe lite. Read the number on the scale. That's your timing number. It should agree with the number on youe emission label +/- 2 degrees. It's that simple. If your car has a vacuum advance, disconnect it and plug off the vscuum line. If not, you will need reference material. To tell you what needs to be disconnected.