Timing retard problems

[evolutionmovement]

Seems to run constant retard and I'm getting about 20 mpg, sometimes a little less. I've gotten the CEL for the o2 a couple times, so I need to do that, but would that fix the near-constant state of retard? There's no way I'm going to premium for an 8:1 compression engine! Any ideas? filters and such should all be good. I can't stand getting SUV mileage with the acceleration and throttle response of a sloth. Gettin' ticked off like a clock, here.

Steve

[vrg3]

Yes, I think when there's an oxygen sensor code the ECU pulls back to base timing, so replacing the sensor might help.

I don't think you're actually experiencing knock, so changing fuel probably couldn't help even if you did want to.

You have a pretty new redesigned knock sensor already, right?

[evolutionmovement]

Thanks. The knock sensor is 6 mons. old new, so I don't think it's the problem and I doubt I'm getting knock, I just wasn't sure that the o2 would cause the timing retard and wouldn't know what else would cause it.

The car is no fun to drive this way, but when the timing is advanced, it's not half bad power-wise. Plus the gas mileage is appaling. Must be running rich as hell ... some kind of limp home/safe mode?

Steve

[vrg3]

Yeah, it kind of is a safe mode.

I can't say for sure that replacing the oxygen sensor will solve the problem, but I think it might. You can save some money by getting a single-wire sensor; it'll work just as well as a stock sensor with a broken heater element (which I would say describes every factory sensor still installed in a 1st-generation Legacy).