Over time, timing belt stretch causes ignition timing to be slightly off and engine performance, as well as fuel economy, can suffer. Setting the timing on your 1992 Honda Accord to the factory setting of 13 to 17 degrees before top dead center, or BTDC, will restore some of the engine's lost performance. Performing this home auto repair requires the use of a timing light, but is well within the skill level of the average home mechanic.
Start the engine and allow it to run until normal operating temperature is reached on the temperature gauge. Turn off the engine. Locate the timing connector under the passenger side of the dash, behind the glove box. This is a small, blue, two-wire connector positioned next to the larger blue diagnostic test connector. Jumper the two wires in the connector together using the short piece of wire
Locate the timing marks on the front of the engine, on the driver side of the engine compartment in the Accord. A pointer is located on the timing cover, just above the crankshaft pulley, and there is a set of marks filed into the edge of the crankshaft pulley. Note that the white mark on the right is the top dead center, or TDC, mark, and the red mark on the left is the 15 degree BTDC mark. The mark we are concerned with is the red 15 degree BTDC mark.
Loosen the three 12-mm distributor hold-down bolts, that attach the distributor to the engine, slightly so that the distributor will turn with some effort. Attach the timing light battery clips to the battery. Attach the red clip to the positive battery terminal and the black clip to the negative terminal. Attach the number one cylinder pick-up on the test light to the number one spark plug wire. The number plug wire is the one closest to the timing cover.
Aim the timing light at the timing marks and pull the trigger. Turn the distributor slowly, while watching the timing marks, until the pointer on the timing cover lines up with the red 15-degree mark on the crank pulley. Tighten the distributor hold down bolts and recheck the timing to verify it didn't move when the distributor was tightened.
Turn off the engine, disconnect the timing light and timing connector jumper wire. Test drive to verify the engine performs properly.
