My question is in the title really. I was driving today and noticed the engine was running "lumpy". I dont know if i should set the timing (which ive never done before) or should i take it to someone who know what they ae doing? Cheers
Forgot to ask if your type1 engine or type4? The timing may not be he cause of your poor running but it won't hurt to check it. This post might help. http://thelatebay.com/index.php?threads/how-to-set-your-timing-part-1.1517/
To answer your question a) when you replaced the points b) when you service it even if not replacing the points c) Anytime you have running problems Unless it's something obvious come adrift in the engine bay etc the best thing is to go through a service, starting with valve clearences. If you find any where the gap has closed up be suspicious and take a note of exactly which ones. If after regapping the valves and checking/setting the timing the lumpyness goes, but returns after a few hundred miles, check the closed up valves again. If the've closed up again, you have a valve seat problem, or more rarely a stretching valve. If it's still lumpy report back. Timing problems may perhaps make the engine "rough", but "lumpy" usually has it's roots in a lack of compression on one or more cylinders.
