Diesel Injecton timing question
 

I have been working on my recently purchased 300TD. Most of the car is comming along nicely, except the motor remains the sore spot. I set the idle up today a bit, so that it sounds like it is running the same speed as the parts car I brought home yesteday. The TD seems to shake at all engine speeds, less at a fast idle or above, but it still has a vibration in it. I think that all the cylinders are firing, and it starts fairly well in the cold. What I am woundering is :can an injector be the cause of the shake? In that if it was sticking or injecting the fuel late, that cylinder would not be a doing its share...? Any thoughts on this as to how I can isolate the cause furter.

Thanks
Jason

Yes it can but do a couple of things first.

You can identify the bad injector by loosening the fuel line to each injector one at a time. The one injector that is bad will show a smaller amount of change in the idle.

More common in a shaking idle is engine mounts and your engine shock. Check the mounts the rubber should be firm. Not squishy and they should not be collapsed. Also the shock can wear and not be doing its job.
I would check the engine mounts and shock first. This is usually the problem.

Dave

Dave,
I will look into the Motor mounts tomorow... where is the engine 'shock' located? Has to be on the front of the engine, but I have not seen it yet. ( have not gone in search of it ether) then it will be time to look at injectors... Thanks for you imput. It is helpful, as I am at a bit of a loss, and the service manual has not shown up in the mail yet, hopefuly next week.

Jason

Actually, there are two engine shocks. They are bolted to both engine mount arms. (10mm) There is also a 10mm nut on the bottom, and it has to be loosened while holding the actual shock shaft.

Ok, I guess Ihave been looking up too high on the motor. will have a look from the bottom up. CANT be that hard to find can it?

Not too hard to see the drivers side one from topside. Although to spot the bottom one you have to be under the car. Do you know where the engine mounts are located? Each engine shock actually bolts to the engine mounts.

I think I have found the drivers side motor mount, about half way back from the front of the block attached to the body of the car. Guess I expected the shock to look something like a small suspension shock, and thought that would be higher up on the motor to provide a triangle like brace to hold things still. My mistake. Thanks for your help.
Jason