Is there a way that the man of modest means and mechanical abilities can check or adjust their own Injection Pump Timing?

Ducati

The Haynes manual and this forum will tell you how to time your car. I can tell you what I did, as I just sucessfully did it.

Went to a junk yard and pulled one of the hard injector lines off (any injector, doesn't matter). Then I just cut off one end of the line to mimic the one pictured in the Haynes manual. Just use a hack saw and a vise to bend it. (You must lay out the $20 or whatever for this manual. It is a good basic manual and has complete electrical schematics which can come in handy)

The drip method works like a charm and you can get very accurate with it. There is enough fine movement in the pump to easily get the one drip per second needed.

If you need to pull the pump off of a 240D, you don't have to take out the oil filter housing like everyone whines about, because there is plenty of room to slide the pump back out of the engine and out.

If your car has been running normally before though, there is little reason to suspect the timing has changed except maybe because of chain stretch. And if that is the case, you will get a like new engine by just putting in a new chain.

By the way, are you a Ducati motorcycle fan?

__________________
Ed
1981 300CD (Benzina)
1968 250 S (Gina) 266,000 miles!
1983 Alfa Romeo GTV6 (Guido)
1976 Jaguar XJS-saved a V-12 from the chevy curse, what a great engine!
1988 Cadillac Eldorado (better car than you might think!)
1988 Yamaha Venture (better than a Wing!)
1977 Suzuki GS750B
1976 Yamaha XS 650 (sold)
1991 Suzuki GSX1100G (Shafty Gixser)
1981 Yamaha VX920RH (Euro "Virago")
Solex Moped
1975 Dodge P/U camper


"Time spent in the company of a cat, a beer, and this forum, is not time wasted!"

Ducati,

You did not indicate what model and year you are working on.

Have a great day,

240 Ed - Thanx; I'll try the method you describe as soon as there is a reprieve in the monsoon...
Yes, my real mechanical passion is motorcycling, and my "Nom de Plume" identifies my favourite marque. My 83' 300D is my daily driver, my second old Mercedes, and is my first diesel. I have had the old girl for about a year, and have learned a lot, primarily through internet discussion groups (of which this one is the best).
I'll say this much about diesel Mercedes...they are one heck of a lot easier to work on and get things right with, than my 1993 Ducati 888 SP-0, and the diesel certainly does not place my drivers license in as much jeopardy as my Ducati's do.
Now to get my head around that pesky surging hiccup that has started happening with the 300, and all will be well again.

Greg Webdale (aka"Ducati")
Mercedes Benz, Alfa Romeo and Ducati afficionado
Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
1983 MB 300D Turbodiesel
1974 Alfa Romeo GTV 2000 ("Almost" rust-free)
1967 Plymouth GTX (Hemi 4speed 425 HP lawn ornament.I do not drive this car anymore-too valuable, too expensive to operate, & too scary.)
1993 Ducati SP-o
1971 Ducati 350 Scrambler
(previous cars/bikes too numerous to list)

Part of the problem is that since other vehicles occupy all of my garage space, the old 300 sits outside in the rain & occasional snow. It is rugged enough to endure that sort of neglect, although its reliability and character make it deserving of a garage spot. However, if the Alfa went outside it would biodegrade back to the basic earth elements in no time, and the GTX, well...it sits where it has been for years, under a cover & up on jackstands. My Ducati 888 is presently in my living room, right here beside my computer, (it makes a great coffee table and coat rack) and I ride the Scrambler year round.

Ducati

I learned to ride on a Ducati 250 single/5speed !! Hooked me on bikes forever.
1976 Yamaha 650 twin
1977 Suzuki 750B four
1988 Yamaha Venture 1300 v-four
Solex moped!!

re diesel benzs, the only trick thing about their engines is that they are overhead cam! Pretty tame stuff compared to a desmo Duck.

I also had a 1971 AR GTV 1750, which was my favorite alfa. Unfortunately my drunken neighbor plowed into it in front of my house, which pushed it into a telephone pole!

Re; your 300D, if all 5 are running at idle and it starts right away, and if your injector lines are not leaking at the pump or at the injector, they are probably working okay-they are maybe worth running the Diesel Doctor...

Check your timing chain for stretch-that will lower power and give you a slightly ragged, labored running.

__________________
Ed
1981 300CD (Benzina)
1968 250 S (Gina) 266,000 miles!
1983 Alfa Romeo GTV6 (Guido)
1976 Jaguar XJS-saved a V-12 from the chevy curse, what a great engine!
1988 Cadillac Eldorado (better car than you might think!)
1988 Yamaha Venture (better than a Wing!)
1977 Suzuki GS750B
1976 Yamaha XS 650 (sold)
1991 Suzuki GSX1100G (Shafty Gixser)
1981 Yamaha VX920RH (Euro "Virago")
Solex Moped
1975 Dodge P/U camper


"Time spent in the company of a cat, a beer, and this forum, is not time wasted!"

Ducati

Concerning surging, I would first try a can of Chevron Techron in the tank. Its the only "magic in a can" which works.
I would bet that would cure the surging, if not then use the Diesel Doctor which is a bit more work in the wet...

I wouldn't even bother checking the timing since it doesn't change by itself. If it did somehow slip, your car probably wouldn't run for doo doo.:p

__________________
Ed
1981 300CD (Benzina)
1968 250 S (Gina) 266,000 miles!
1983 Alfa Romeo GTV6 (Guido)
1976 Jaguar XJS-saved a V-12 from the chevy curse, what a great engine!
1988 Cadillac Eldorado (better car than you might think!)
1988 Yamaha Venture (better than a Wing!)
1977 Suzuki GS750B
1976 Yamaha XS 650 (sold)
1991 Suzuki GSX1100G (Shafty Gixser)
1981 Yamaha VX920RH (Euro "Virago")
Solex Moped
1975 Dodge P/U camper


"Time spent in the company of a cat, a beer, and this forum, is not time wasted!"

Ha Ha...someone else is up a 5 a.m.
Not only that, but a fellow diesel/ Alfa/Ducati insomniac.

I am up worrying about algae in my fuel.

Good to hear about your cars & bikes. You obviously exercised great restraint with your drunken neigbor, as you are not posting your messeges from a jail cell. I would be unable to restrain myself if some drunk hit my Alfa...or my 300D.

You own a Caddy Eldo, 1988 vintage. Is that a FWD model?
I agree with your Venture vs. G/Wing appraisal.
I have also owned a Yammie 650 parallel twin..Great bike. Vibrated like a Bonnie.
...and for reasons that I can not logically explain, I have developed a real affection for a car that I initially bought as a 4 wheeled tool; my 300D. I will probably end up spending way more money on it than it is worth to cherry it out. Such is my disease.

Yes the caddy is a FWD, and yes it does have torque-steer when you get on it! My particular car is subtle, no vinyl half top, no chrome molding under the doors. Alloy wheels and burgundy paint. It is a truly comfortable interior as GM is justly famous for, and the ergos are great.
But! it sure doesn't ride like my 240d ! Kinda jiggly, and this is with new Monroe select a ride shocks (or some name like that).

Funny about getting attached to these diesels, not at all logical to my mind. But neither are Alfas, or Ducks:p

__________________
Ed
1981 300CD (Benzina)
1968 250 S (Gina) 266,000 miles!
1983 Alfa Romeo GTV6 (Guido)
1976 Jaguar XJS-saved a V-12 from the chevy curse, what a great engine!
1988 Cadillac Eldorado (better car than you might think!)
1988 Yamaha Venture (better than a Wing!)
1977 Suzuki GS750B
1976 Yamaha XS 650 (sold)
1991 Suzuki GSX1100G (Shafty Gixser)
1981 Yamaha VX920RH (Euro "Virago")
Solex Moped
1975 Dodge P/U camper


"Time spent in the company of a cat, a beer, and this forum, is not time wasted!"