Sixto, regarding the factory TDC pointer, maybe I wasn't clear but my comments had nothing to do with trying to determine this particular reference mark. That was resolved months ago and I can assure you, it wasted mountains of valuable time. The fact that MB didn't see fit to place a reference mark on their flywheel, which is the only truly accurate reference, needed for all timing events, prompted my disparaging remark. I will post the solution on a separate thread in the future as this is a bit off topic.

My main point was that (assuming the TDC marks are accurate) , I believe there are better ways to time the IP if for no other reason than to save time. IMO IP timing for a diesel, like ignition timing in a gasser are important settings and since timing is of little interest below 2000 RPM, why opt for spending time and money ($300 for the RIV) when it can be done dynamically. Furthermore, the addition of inaccuracies such as chain slop, injector valve opening, including questionable TDC references, lead me to believe that placing so much emphasis on a tool like the RIV doesn't make much sense. I ended up marking my flywheel and would be delighted to see a strobe flash of actual injector firing at 3000 RPM.

Sorry for all the confusion.