How Often Do You Clean Your Timer ?

[Burger in Spokane]

I have been driving my TT a lot since getting the rebuilt wheels on it. Twice now,
I have experienced erratic spark and after wiping down the inside of the timer with
lacquer thinner, was back to running nice and smooth. The first time was when I got
it running again after being dormant while the wheels were off. I've driven about 500
miles in two weeks and it began to feel like it was intermittently running on 3 cylinders.
Another wipe down and I was good to go. What is typical ?

[Scott C.]

With all the driving that I have done this year in my 26 Coupe, I have only cleaned the timer one time. I cleaned it with WD40 and compressed air then wiped it clean with a paper towel. I put a little engine oil on the roller and put it back on.

[Alan Long]

I find that the 10 minutes it takes to clean & Oil the standard roller timer is well worth it!
Before an event that is planned to cover over 100 Klms and usually two other occasions during the 6 months of April and Spring
So, three times a year. The Anderson Flapper Style May need less and the electronic none at all I believe.
I’m comfortable with my maintenance level and use Auto Transmission Fluid of light engine oil.
Alan in Western Australia

[MKossor]

Never running an Ideal Timer.

Never needs maintenance, Never wares out Never needs replacing. Activates the coils with the same precision and reliability as the day first installed. More information can be found here: www.modeltitimer.com

[Rich Eagle]

Not often enough. However, I cleaned 3 of them 2 days ago.
Easy to forget.
Rich

[Rich Bingham]

Probably depends on the type of timer ? Also on the condition of the camshaft seal ? Burger, I think you've figured out the interval for your own personal T !

Mine came with a TW timer, the earlier one with the round carbon brush that can be tricky to assemble, so I'm lazy about cleaning. Last spring I cleaned it well, and noted it's wearing down where it will need replacing soon. Through the summer I drive an average of 4-5 miles a day changing the water, with monthly trips of 20 miles to the co-op for feed and fuel, and occasional 20-30 mile jaunts for fun. She's not "snappy" to start lately, and runs a wee bit rough until warmed up, so I expect cleaning and a new brush are in order, but the season is about over. Before I put her up for the winter I plan to change to a "good" New Day timer. We'll find out then what kind of regular attention that type requires. I had great service from a New Day on my first T, that was 57 years ago.

[cessna53195]

I use the Anderson flapper style, and I serviced mine as they do at the Henry Ford. I filled the timer with axle grease and put it back on, I did check the grease to make sure it was not conductive with a volt meter. I understand they run them about 5,000 miles a year, I only put on 150-200 miles a year so I have not serviced mine since I installed it 5 years ago. FYI I have this in a 1913 Runabout, so I used an original aluminum case timer and put all the Anderson parts in it , has worked flawless ...Robert

[Oldav8tor]

I have a New Day Timer from Tip Top timers. I last cleaned it about 900 miles ago and the car is still running fine. When I clean it I do so with a 2.5 inch fine sanding disc on a drill. Just enough to brighten up the copper. I then blow it out with compressed air.

For those unfamiliar with the New Day you don't lube it.

[RGould1910]

I use roller timers and typically clean them every 100 -200 miles or so. In between I squirt a little motor into the case

[JohnH]

My first timer was an Anderson. I cleaned it once in ten years. Now that I use an E-Timer, it's totally maintenance free.

[Mark Osterman]

Been running a vintage New Day timer for the past two years. I clean it out and dress the contacts by twisting a disc covered with very fine sand paper about every two months. I drive my car every day .. around 100 miles a week. At the same time I remove the plugs and clean those .. and check the coils with a HCCT.

[Erik Barrett]

I use an old production New Day timer and a modern seal on the cam. I pull the timer and clean it up every five years or so whether it needs it or not.

[John Codman]

I installed a timer from Lang's. It was identical to the (I think) original timer that I removed. This was five years ago. I oil it regularly, but have never cleaned it. My T runs beautifully.

[thom]

If we drive it often I clean the New Day timer on our '21 Touring monthly. That often because the cam seal leaks a little bit and I haven't taken the time to replace it yet. Maybe this winter.
Or switch to a roller timer and not worry about it.

[Burger in Spokane]

Well, this old dog never fails to lurn me up on a regular basis !

So, I thought I might make it down to the Tuesday evening T workshop at the
Ranch, hoping to run my rough running past others more learned than I. I showed
off the inside of the timer and the opinion was that this was OK. So, out came
the coils and I ran them through the HCCT. 4 was good, 3 was good, 2 was good,
and 1 was dead as a door nail. A pass with the electronic tester confirmed the
deadness, but then it worked, then it didn't, then it did again .... the concensus
was a broken frog hair. Time for a new coil. One was sourced out of the junk pile
that looked decent. We ran it on the HCCT and made a few adjustments, and put
the coilbox back together .... ran smooth and went like a striped ape ! Good
intel on cleaning the timer, but it looks like I had more than one issue going on.

[MKossor]

A chain makes a great analogy for an optimal running engine and troubleshooting aid.

Weak link in the chain.JPG (26.11 KiB) Viewed 2711 times