Timing Help!

[Tycar]

Alright, so I need to know exactly how to advance the timing on a GA16DE? I need to advance it about 5 or so degrees... any help is greatly appreciated!

[fugiot]

well, you need a timing light/gun. Connect it to your battery and spark wire #1. Then shine it down onto your belts(wherever you see a little pointy thing sticking out over a belt with marks on it. Then unbolt your distributor and twist it to change the timing. The big fat mark on the belt should be 15* I believe.

[FhPt]

There is an emissions control information label in the engine compartment that contain the specs and proper timing procedure.
Attach the timing gun per the timing gun instructions (to the battery and number 1 spark plug as stated in previous post).
The timing post looks like a nail sticking out of the front of the engine (front of engine faces towards the passenger front wheel).
There will be notches in the crankshaft pulley. These are the timing notches. Your emmisions label will state how many degrees separates each notch and which notch is which degree. In your case, the notch most counter clockwise should be -5 degrees, then going clockwise, 0 deg, 5 deg, 10 deg, etc.
Sometimes you need to mark the notches with white chalk or paint to be able to see them during the timing part. This is easier to do from the underside after removing the plyable panel between the wheel and the front of the engine.
Start the engine and get it to the normal operating temperature.
Rut it at 1000 RPM for two minutes, then rev it up 2 or 3 times, allow it to idle for 1 minute, and shut it off.
Unplug the throttle position sensor. It is located just above and behind where the air intake attaches to the engine.
Start the engine. Increase its speed to 2000 to 3000 RPM 2 or 3 times, then let it drop off to idle speed.
Aim the timing gun at the timing pointer/post. You should see the marks in the pulley remaining stationary.
If the timing is off, stop the engine. Loosen the hold done bolt at the base of the distributer.
Restart the enginge. Twist the distributer slowly to adjust the timing to where it needs to be (use your timing gun after each slight twist to check how close you are). When you get it where it needs to be, turn the enginge off and tighten the distributer hold down bolt, being careful not to move the distributer. I check the timing again after tightening to make sure it didn't twist while being tightened.
When done, turn the engine off, disconnect the timing gun, reconnect the throttle position sensor.
This all came out of the Haynes manual for Nissan Sentra and 200SX 1995 - 1999 models. The manuals can be picked up at parts stores are are less than $20.
The manual also states that on some models, disconnecting the throttle position sensor might cause the check engine light to have come on. The trouble code will have to be cleared if this happens. There is a procedure to do this in the Haynes manual. I just disconnect the negative battery terminal for 2 or more minutes and reconnect it. This clears the codes on my 1998.

[Tycar]

thanks alot for the great info!