Just a quick question:

Hooked up the Scangauge on my 1997 2.7L 4runner,
shows the timing to fluctuate between 7 and 12 degrees at idle.

I was expecting this reading to be a bit more stable than a 5 degree jump.

Timing seems fine through out the rpm range, it's just the idle reading that bugs me.

Sound normal?

(I really like the Scangauge!)

 

I'll check mine today. I know mine changes as well, but I've never sat at idle and watched it. Was your rig warming up, or was it warm already?

 

Motor was warm.

 

I checked mine... It stayed at 8-9 at idle. But I noticed when I turned the climate control to Hi it went up to 18. Turn the fan off and it dropped to 9. Turned it to hi--- 18. Shut it off it dropped to 10.

so it was pretty consistant.

 

Thanks for the comparison.
Mine stays pretty consistent except for the idle.
Maybe it's par for the 2.7L.

 

mine stays put at idle..'99 3.4

could be less sophisticated engine management or different
methodology in your model year

 

Mine has twin coils, no distributor.
I've seen motors w/ worn dists. let the timing jump around.
I was thinking this one would be more stable....

 

wut I meant wuz perhaps your MAF or TPS is not sensitive enough, and your timing is flaky at idle. newer motors and ECU's always have the latest tweaks and changes for tighter emissions every year.

perhaps the fluctuation is 1) worn out stuff 2) normal or 3) part of both

I am guessing it is fuel pressure, injectors, knock sensor, air flow, tps, o2 sensor something
providing a reading at idle that the ECU cannot 100% compensate

since it is idle I am guessing airflow.