Engine - Spark Knock On Acceleration When Cold

88ford17

SPARK KNOCK - 2.2L EFI - COLD ENGINE - VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE 4/07/88
Article No. 88-16-14
FORD: 1989 PROBE

ISSUE: Spark knock during acceleration while the engine is cold may be caused by higher than normal ignition timing. The higher than normal ignition timing may be caused by the distributor vacuum advance.

ACTION: To correct this, install a new design distributor vacuum advance. Refer to the following service procedure.

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.

2. Disconnect the coil and spark plug wires from the distributor cap.

3. Remove the distributor cap.

FIGURE 13:

4. Mark the location of the distributor rotor relative to the distributor body, Figure 13.

5. Mark the location of the vacuum lines on the distributor to assist in reinstallation, Figure 13.

6. Remove the vacuum lines from the distributor.

7. Disconnect the distributor wiring.

8. Remove the two (2) distributor lock bolts and remove the distributor.

9. Place the distributor in a soft-jawed vise.

10. Remove the rotor, distributor cap seal and dust cover.

FIGURE 14:

11. Remove the "E ring" clip and two (2) screws holding the vacuum advance to the distributor housing and distributor plate, Figure 14.

12. Remove the distributor vacuum advance.

FIGURE 15:

13. Replace the distributor O-ring seal, (E92Z- 12143-A), Figure 15. Apply clean engine oil to the O-ring and distributor drive gear.

14. Position the new distributor vacuum advance, (E92Z-12370-B), to the distributor.

15. Install the two (2) screws that hold the vacuum advance to the distributor housing.

16. Install the "E" ring clip.

17. Install the rotor, distributor cap seal and dust cover.

18. Remove the distributor from the vise.

19. Position the distributor to the cylinder head.

NOTE: USE THE ALIGNMENT MARKS MADE IN STEP 5.

20. Install the two (2) distributor lock bolts.

21. Connect the two (2) vacuum lines to the distributor vacuum advance.

22. Connect the distributor wiring.

23. Connect the coil and spark plug wires to the distributor cap.

24. Connect the negative battery cable.

PART NUMBER PART NAME CLASS

E92Z-12370-B Distributor Vacuum C
Advance
E92Z-12143-A Distributor O-Ring B

OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: None
WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under Basic Warranty Coverage
OPERATION: 881614A
TIME: 0.8 Hr.
DLR. CODING: Basic Part No. 12370
Condition Code: 53