What is "timing" in French?

[mint]

Hi, didn't like to put this in the French Language Section in case nobody looks at it!

Car wasn't going well and we thought it was the plugs.  But the garagiste, as well as changing the plugs, also changed one of the injectors.

OH says the car is still not quite running right.  What do you call the timing or tuning or whatever it is that is preventing the car from running smoothly?

 

[Chancer]

Engine tune up, (not engine tuning as in souping or hotting up) is réglage moteur or mise au point.

Ignition timing is calage de (l'avance à) l'allumage,.

There is no tuning per se to be done on modern engines other than what is normally done during routine servicing, the only things that can deteriorate and affect performance are the plugs, injectors, clogged air filter/fuel filter, worn fuel pump, clogged catalyst., engine sensors, often the mass air flow sensor.

Ignition timing is not adjustable in a tuning sense and is unlikely to move unless there is a sensor problem, ask a garage with the correct test equipment to check the ECU for fault codes, it sounds like the engine is running on a LOS setting (limited operating strategy) probably due to a duff sensor.

[mint]

Thanks, Chancer.  This is the car that I pranged so badly last year and I am not sure what else it needs to get it back in order.

I have made OH sit down and read your post so I hope he can get it sorted out for me.

Thanks again.

[Théière]

Even though as Chancer has said much of the old tuning is now pre set via sensors and the ECU, the injector pump is still bolted in on slotted fixings which allow a couple of degrees either way and affect the engine advance/retard which can take the edge right off performance. The main dealer checked the injection pump timimg on my van and reported it spot on yet the van chugged at low rpm. The garage tried to get me to buy a new pump! A one degree rotation of the injector pump by someone who really knew what they were cured the problem.

It is also worth checking the humble thermostat, the little wax unit doesn't last for ever and on modern injected engines if the sensor pick up a too hot or cold engine the ECU makes adjustments so you can end up running a bad fuel mix, too lean or rich. They don't cost much but are often over looked.

[AnOther]

Reading the title sweets I was going to say it was everything, until I realised what the question actually was [:D]

I agree that the only way with modern cars is to have them diagnosed with the proper equipment, tinkering, however well intentioned, rarely achieves much. Sadly, and potentially expensively, it's often only the main agents who have the full and proper facilities to do the job but that said it's better to pay once and get the fault fixed than twice or 3 times and still not.

What is the car ?

[Judie]

Have to say that I don't altogether agree with the last post.

My Alfa had a starting problem a couple of years ago. Had it transported to the Alfa franchise on two separate occasions, got charged well over 500 euros and when the problem failed to be sorted, got it towed to the local garage who charged 50 or so euros to put it right.

[Chancer]

Théière.

I didnt mention the (diesel) injection pump as I had thought that the vehicle was a petrol engined one having read about changing the (spark)plugs, now I see that it was one plug, probably being a glowplug you may well be right.

Sweet17 is your car petrol or diesel powered and what make and model is it?

[mint]

Thank you for all your input.

This is the car that I so expensively pranged last year and I wanted to get rid of it but many on here and the OH persuaded me to have it repaired.

It is a Hyundai Lantra 2000 automatic petrol model.  Lovely little thing (not unlike me, actually [:P]) and normally goes sweet as a nut.  I don't think, mind, that the present trouble has to do with the accident.

The engine is missing on a steep slope.  It is a little underpowered perhaps but I can always put on the override button and it would roar and shoot forwards. 

The garagiste changed the spark plugs (which I supplied) and one of the injectors.  Armed with the phrases that Chancer kindly gave me, I went back this morning and repeated them.

The chef wasn't there but the boy confirmed that the engine didn't sound right and I have now left the car with them.  As I have already paid in excess of 400 euros, I might well request that he took it to a properly equipped testing station to sort out the problem.

The language (lack of) is one thing, it's the car terms which I don't understand in English and have no chance in hell of explaining in French; that's what makes it hard.  Not to mention of course that these garage types will think I am talking nonsense in any case as I am a "mere" woman [:'(] 

[Les]

I have posted this site before but I think it's worth repeating. CAR PARTS TRANSLATION

[mint]

Thank you, Derf, I do remember you posting it but I couldn't think how I could find it again.  Will now add it to my Favourites for future reference.

[Chancer]

Please tell me Sweet that it hasn't cost you €400 to have the plugs fitted and one injector supplied and fitted?

If you get the impression that they are stabbing in the dark and you are paying for the priveledge take the car to a garage that can interrogate the ECU, it will be interroger  and I suspect controle moteur numerique but you have me on that phrase.

In any case as a women and one that speaks good French you are better armed to know if they are taking the proverbial than most men.

The garage doesnt need to be a Hyundai main dealer just any independant garage that looks like it may be in at least the 20th century or a Japanese specialist, yes I know its Korean!

Good luck.

[AnOther]

'Override button' ?

Obviously I know about kickdown with an automatic but an override button is a new one on me.

[mint]

OK then, Erns, it's the button on the gear lever that you press to make the car go vroom-vroom and allows you to overtake the car in the front?[:D]

And, yes, Chancer, that was the charge and he told OH the injector cost just under 300 euros.

Anyway, the car is now back with them as I didn't expect it to still have problems after paying him all that money.

Wish I'd just gone back to the UK and bought a secondhand car and at least I wouldn't still be grounded now!

Hindsight, sometimes it's best not to have this facility as it only makes one discontented.[+o(]

[AnOther]

[quote user="sweet 17"]OK then, Erns, it's the button on the gear lever that you press to make the car go vroom-vroom and allows you to overtake the car in the front?[:D][/quote]Crikey, that sounds handy, what does it do then, blast the car in front into the undergrowth, launch you over it, vapourise it [:-))], come on sweets do tell. I really want one, is it available as a retro fit.

Hang on a mo though, golly just remembered my MGB has already got one - for the overdrive - not such an innovation at all then [:)]

[mint]

Told ya it was the override button but you came over all manly and turned your nose up at me and said what's that?

See, just like a man, won't listen.......not even when the little woman knows best [:P]

BTW, talk about little woman, I trust Mrs Bluecat has now fully recovered?

[AnOther]

Not even going there !

Seriously I have never seen such a thing but then again I would never voluntarily go within 100yds of an automatic, it doesn't qualify as driving in my book [:P]

Mrs Bluecat is indeed fully recovered thank you although she still has a, thankfully painless, large hard subcutaneous bruise on her hip.

[mint]

Bruise will go away in time, don't worry.  But, she won't be Mrs Bluecat then, without the bruise, will she?

Oh dear, she'll just have to be Mrs Cat![;-)]