You can establish timing in a "ballpark" fashion without the car running,
only by cranking. So long as the ignition signal for #1 is in harmony with the crankshaft (and flywheel) you will see the 14/16 number in the window.

However if you have never done this before it might be better left to an experienced mechanic. When you read the timing during cranking (no running) you essentially get a series of pictures when the light illuminates the flywheel; when the car is running you get more of a "movie" because the pulses are so close together it appears continuous. It is trickier to stare at the pulses, but it is doable.

A poor mans check still w/o timing light is to make sure all plugs are firing. You can do this by pulling individual plug wires, insert a long screwdriver into the female end of the wire, lay the screwdriver across a good ground, and have someone crank it to see if the spark jumps from the screwdriver to the ground. This only verifies distribution, not correct timed distribution. You still ultimately need a timing light to verify #1 BTDC timing, as if it is right they must all be right.

Watch the screwdriver test, these ignition systems will knock you on your
A__ if you let them, or worse. Make sure you are NOT touching the vehicle during the cranking.

As far as toasted valves, this depends on engine design and as I am a newcomer to SAABS I don't know this. On certain designs the valves hit the pistons and you have major carnage. I do not know about these 16V motors. Typically when things collide the engine will not crank freely so if she still turns smoothly then you probably have not had a collision.

Good luck & post your findings please!

DET
90 900S

• Spark, Fuel, no air leaks, still no start., Jhammer, Sat, 16 Dec 2000 19:03:17
  • I'm no SAAB techie, but check your, DET, Sun, 17 Dec 2000 22:18:38
    • DET: I thought the engine had to be running to check the timing., Jan Hammer, Sun, 17 Dec 2000 22:33:09
      • Re: DET: I thought the engine had to be running to check the timing., DET, Mon, 18 Dec 2000 12:25:23 <-- Viewing This Message
  • Re: Spark, Fuel, no air leaks, still no start., Bill N, Sun, 17 Dec 2000 19:33:42
  • Re: Spark, Fuel, no air leaks, still no start., chrisx, Sun, 17 Dec 2000 13:06:36
  • pop..., Monster, Sun, 17 Dec 2000 10:28:50
  • Re: Spark, Fuel, no air leaks, still no start., wade taylor, Sat, 16 Dec 2000 23:41:52

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