08 Timing Advance Dilemma

1929 Views 24 Replies 14 Participants Last post by anmut, Oct 30, 2007

OkieTitan

Discussion Starter · Oct 17, 2007 (Edited)

Yesterday I took my 08 LE 4X4 to the dealership for it's first oil change. While I was there I asked them to do the 2 degree timing advance. The head mechanic was very helpful and very interested since he hadn't had a chance to try this on an 08. I watched over his shoulder while he spend well over an hour trying to make it happen. He, of course, had to use the consult 3. I had the instructions for the consult 2 which did not match the screens for consult 3. But he easily got to the timing screens butthe consult would not let him advance the timing. It showed timing at 14, but when he tried to move the timing up the "up" arrow was greyed and wouldn't let him. He tryed several approaches but was never able to get the timing to advance. He was able to adjust the air intake but we took it back to factory setting after the timing advance failed. Also he was concerned that even if we were able to get Consult 3 to advance the timing, it would not hold since Consult only tests it doesn't actually change the ECU. He thought that even if it did appear to hold, it would quickly default back to the factory settings.
Good news was, he didn't charge me anything for all the experimenting and told me that if I found out a way to actually get into the ECU and permanently change the timing he would love to try it again.
So here are my questions:
1. Has anyone successfully completed the 2 degree timing change on the 08?
2. How did they do it?
3. Did you check back to ensure that the change held and what did you find?

Thanks for any insight you guys might have.
Marc

1 - 20 of 25 Posts

tazstitan

· #2 · Oct 17, 2007

I have also not been able to do it on a 08..
I have run in to the same problem.. I have asked for some Nissan help but they are not being hopefully - need to talk to our Nissan Tech Rep...
Sorry I cant help yet...

Fstest H-Town Realtr

· #3 · Oct 17, 2007

1-Yes
2-The service manager had to do it. the change comes from a different screen than the 07s and must be accessed thru this new screen. It is unlike earlier years.
3-Dunno-Feels like it is still there. Will get it checked.

Energizer

· #4 · Oct 17, 2007

why the need to change the timing on a new Titan?

OkieTitan

Discussion Starter · #5 · Oct 17, 2007

Energizer. Great question. Seems like most everyone here has gotten value out of the timing advance. It is the right question to ask if the 08 will get the same benefits that previous years found. So back to you, Why not get it done?

Tstest - did you happen to notice the steps the service mrg went through? Also, if you do get it checked, you might want to make sure it wasn't just the idle air that was really changed.

Thanks and other opinions really appreciated.

Marc

Energizer

· #6 · Oct 17, 2007

OkieTitan said:
Energizer. Great question. Seems like most everyone here has gotten value out of the timing advance. It is the right question to ask if the 08 will get the same benefits that previous years found. So back to you, Why not get it done?

Because... you still haven't told me what these "benefits" are... (on previous year models, i.e. I have an '06)

And, is it a perceived benefit, or one that's been tested under similar conditions?

dc_909

· #7 · Oct 17, 2007

bummer, this was something i was looking forward too at the meet this weekend :|

OkieTitan

Discussion Starter · #8 · Oct 17, 2007

Energizer -There are TONs of threads out there discussing the benefits of the timing advance. So I'd rather not sidetrack this thread with rehasing that discussion.
I'm going with the assumptions that this is a benefit based on the threads I've read. So I'd really like more info on how to do it.
Thanks for your interest,
Marc

FourDoor

· #9 · Oct 17, 2007

I will be doing my first oil change as well at 1200 miles here next month. I have 300more to go. Hopefully the service tech is knowledgeable about the 08s and is willing to do the 2* advance.

cleoent

· #10 · Oct 17, 2007

subscribed.

jasonmotox

· #11 · Oct 17, 2007

FourDoor said:
I will be doing my first oil change as well at 1200 miles here next month. I have 300more to go. Hopefully the service tech is knowledgeable about the 08s and is willing to do the 2* advance.

I heard you should wait until the motor is broke in well, say 5-6k miles.
I have the advance on my 04' and it has 110k mile on it. I'm thinking of trying to reset back to the factory timing since the motor seems to be revving really high on start up.
Does anybody know if I can disconnect the battery overnight , will it reset to the factory timing?

sudden urge

· #12 · Oct 17, 2007

Battery disconnect will not reset the timing.

OkieTitan

Discussion Starter · #13 · Oct 17, 2007

Hey fourdoor.
If you are able to get it done, please take note of the steps. I'd really appreciate what you find.
Marc

FourDoor

· #14 · Oct 17, 2007

The owners manual notes 1.2k as the trucks break in period. We'll see. I haven't redlined the truck yet and pretty much babied it thus far. If the closest dealership can get the timing advance done, then I'll be happy. I'll take notes if they are able to do it.

DohcORdie

· #15 · Oct 17, 2007

i got a question can you run regular gas after the 2* advance or will you get pinging

Fstest H-Town Realtr

· #16 · Oct 18, 2007

The change the timing advance did was to "crispen" up the revs. I know it worked cause my SOTP'o meter told me so. I felt the diff between the gear ratio change from a tow equiped unit and mine. The unit I own was not the original one I picked out. The first one was a tow equiped W/T with a higher ratio rear gear. Even the wifey noticed the current unit being a little sluggish. The 2 degree change was just what the doctor ordered.

I do know that the mgr had to use a completly different screen to access the time change than the earlier units. The tech who started the procedure went to the earlier yr screen and could do nothing with the time adjust. When I go by, I will ask the service mgr.

I use the cheapie gas-no ping, just go.

OkieTitan

Discussion Starter · #17 · Oct 18, 2007

Tstest,
Thanks for responding. I'd really appreciate hearing what you find out from the service manager. The SM at my dealership is really a good guy and wants to help. It's just that he couldn't find the right sceen to work for the 08s. I look forward to what you find out.
Marc

DohcORdie

· #18 · Oct 20, 2007

thanks i was kinda hesitant to ge it done but im gonna go for it see what it will do for me.

muldrowtitan

· #19 · Oct 21, 2007

Just my two cents but, I got it done a few weeks ago, At first I did notice a little difference but now its a pretty drastic change. I guess it had to get used to it or somethin.

redneckpapa1996

· #20 · Oct 21, 2007

I think i read somewhere that the '07's and '08's have VVT and can't get the timing advance....
I've been wrong before though.......lol

1 - 20 of 25 Posts

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