1. To set the piston to TDC, place the gearshift lever in neutral, apply the handbrake and lock the rear wheels. To disable the ignition system, disconnect the wires from the ignition coil. Remove the spark plugs and disconnect the fuel system.
1997 and earlier models
2. Note the location of the first spark plug wire contact on the distributor cap.
3. Remove the cover from the distributor.
4. Make a mark on the distributor where the contact of the first cylinder is located.
5. Turn the crankshaft clockwise to align the slot on the crankshaft pulley with the timing mark.
6. The distributor rotor should point in the direction of the mark you made.
7. If the rotor is turned 180° relative to the mark, then the piston is at TDC of the exhaust stroke.
8. To move the piston to TDC on the compression stroke, rotate the crankshaft clockwise one full revolution (360°).
1998 models.
9. 1998 models are equipped with ignition systems that do not include a distributor. To set the piston to TDC, unscrew the spark plug of the first cylinder and screw a pressure gauge into its hole.
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10. Turn the crankshaft. When piston N1 approaches TDC of the compression stroke, the gauge will show the compression pressure. Continue turning the crankshaft until the slot in the crankshaft sprocket aligns with the timing mark.
All models
11. After you have set piston N1 to TDC, you can set it to TDC (in accordance with the sequence of cylinder operation) each of the remaining pistons by turning the crankshaft 90°.