getting ready to remove/rebuild my vacuum pump.

normally I would turn the engine from the crank, but I've installed a radiator skid plate and access is blocked.

so, can I use a remote start switch to turn the engine, with the vacuum pump off.?

I need to do this in order to get the timing device bushing properly oriented to re-install the pump.

I normally use the remote start for valve adjustments, but unsure if its ok to do so with the timing device exposed.

hopefully that makes sense.

thx very much

So long as the engine doesn't start this should be fine.

(And if the engine does start you'll only get a load of oil flying out)

Make sure you wire the stop lever to stop.

And to make it easier for the starter I'd remove the glow plugs - I guess you will be there for a while saying "**** missed it again"

__________________
1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

haven't tried removing the glow plugs.

I just unplug the GP relay and make sure the engine is cooled down.

is that bad? does leaving the glow plugs strain the starter?

I only do this for valve adjusts. should I be removing the GPs for this procedure?

thx

I think Stretch is trying to say that you should remove the glow plugs to relieve the compression in the cylinders. That will make it much easier to rotate the engine around as you will not be fighting compression.

__________________
The OM 642/722.9 powered family
Still going strong
2014 ML350 Bluetec (wife's DD)
2013 E350 Bluetec (my DD)

both my kids cars went to junkyard in 2023
2008 ML320 CDI (Older son’s DD) fatal transmission failure, water soaked/fried rear SAM, numerous other issues, just too far gone to save (165k miles)
2008 E320 Bluetec (Younger son's DD) injector failed open and diluted oil with diesel, spun main bearings (240k miles)

1998 E300DT sold to TimFreeh
1987 300TD sold to vstech

got it.

turned out that I could reach the crank from above when the vacuum was removed.

job done. rebuilt vacuum installed.

thx for the info

for those interested.

I removed the PS pump and detached upper radiator hose from radiator.

that gave enough space to get in and remove the vacuum pump.

Also in this circumstance it is safer to bump start a mechanically controlled diesel engine with no compression: If there's no compression then the thing won't start by accident (say the stop lever doesn't work) whilst you are leaning over the thing with your fingers close to things that might like to chew them!

__________________
1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

excellent info.

will apply this to future repairs

thx gents