Once you've had your pump out a couple times and familiarized yourself with the position and workings of the adjustments things get easier, for the first few times I'd take the pump out. Here is a quick run down on how I get the pump out with the filter in place.

Re: IP Full Load Adjustment Procedure for the OM61x series
I thought I would add a quick comment about R&R of the mw pump. While I was making many small changes in succession and I had the pump in and out a lot. I got it down to under 30 mins from shutdown on the bench and back on and running again. The key was removing the lower support bracket from the block and the pump. With this out of the way all you have to do is set your timing or insert the pin, remove the three mounting nuts and the fuel lines and linkage, grasp the pump by the ALDA and lift up and back. Once you have zeroed in on a setting it is a good idea to reinstall the bracket. The return spring can be a *****. I hope this helps and encourages more of you guys to go after these adjustments in a incremental fashion.

Bob

Oh yeah this is done with everything else still in place oil filter, shutdown and all.

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Bob D.
Parrish, FL
1 SDL, 1 D, 1 TD, 1 Mog