Re: Jump Timing?

["Dean W. Cains" <dwc@xxxxxx>]

Hi Alan:

Sounds like time for a new, and perhaps more honest and/or knowledgeable, 
mechanic.  Your Alfa's engine has 2 timing chains, not a belt, and as far 
as I can recall, that timing chain isn't going to jump and cause cam timing 
to be changed.  Even if it did, you likely wouldn't get away with bending 
just two valves as you continued to drive.  Since all 4 cylinders, and 
hence all 8 valves, would have the same timing, you'd either bend 4 (all 
intake, or all exhaust) or all eight valves.  You could certainly ask your 
"mechanic" how he's ascertained the damage, such as a compression test, 
visual inspection, etc., but to me, that's wasted time.  Without removing 
the cylinder head (not to imply that's even necessary, anyway), his 
estimate isn't worth anything, either.  Push, tow, or drag the car to 
someone that knows Alfa's and values his clients.

If you can tell the Digest where you're located, I'm sure one of us can 
point you in the right direction to finding someone to check your Spider out.

Regards,

Dean W. Cains
Lutz, FL
'74 & '87 Spider Veloce's


At 01:01 PM 4/15/2003, you wrote:

> Date: Tue, 15 Apr 2003 08:23:01 -0400 (EDT)
> From: tenkiller@domain.elided (tenkiller)
> Subject: Jump Timing?
>
> The other day,  my '91 Alfa Spider and I were going down the road at
> about 100 mph and upon accelerating,  suddenly there was little power
> and we started decelerating even with the pedal all the way to the
> floor.  When we had purposly decelerated ,  the motor ran very roughly.
> It was obviously missing but still drivable.  The spark plugs are brand
> new,  as are the plug wires.  The rotor button is also.  I had just that
> day had it serviced.
>
> I had to take it to a guy who had worked on it before because he is near
> me and where I usually take it is 2 hours away.  He "fiddled" with it a
> while and has determined that it has "jumped timing" and with doing so,
> it has warped 2 valves and needs about $700 work.
>
> What happens when a car "Jumps Time"?
>
> Alan C,
> '91 red Spider Veloce
--
to be removed from alfa, see /bin/digest-subs.cgi
or email "unsubscribe alfa" to majordomo@domain.elided