Which of the following is a negative outcome of incorrect ignition timing?

Incorrect ignition timing can lead to a range of negative impacts on engine performance, and one significant outcome is the loss of power. When the ignition timing is set incorrectly—either retarded or advanced—the engine does not fire at the optimal point in the combustion cycle. This can cause the fuel-air mixture to burn either too early or too late, which diminishes the engine's ability to produce power efficiently.

For example, if the timing is too advanced, the spark plug ignites the mixture before the piston reaches its optimal position, leading to a phenomenon called knock, which can further reduce power output and engine performance. Conversely, if the timing is too retarded, the combustion process happens too late, resulting in less energy being transferred to the crankshaft, again causing a power loss.

Overall, incorrect ignition timing disrupts the engine’s cycle, leading to a significant reduction in efficiency and power, making it clear why loss of power is a negative outcome of this issue. The other choices do not align with the detrimental effects of incorrect ignition timing, as they imply improvements in efficiency and performance that are contradictory to the outcomes associated with ignition timing problems.