Setting Timing on 300D 2.5 1993
 

Ive taken it apart now 5 times, screwed up by losing timing when it was something else I set the crank at 0 degrees says TDC then the cam with the mark straight up, 3 times no success, 2nd time close
any help in greatly appreciated

Set timing to 0˚TDC, then continue to rotate to 14-15˚ATDC (Actual amount is marked on a sticker on the radiator cross member). Line up the timing mark in the window behind the 17mm plug on the side of the injection pump, insert the locking pin tool and tighten down. Insert the IP and secure it.

Forget about timing it if you don't have the locking tool. If you have the locking tool from eBay, use a file to widen the notch a bit and make it deeper. The notch they come with is marginal and can let the timing slip (ask me how I know...)

Thanks but i have not removed the injector pump
 

just the valve cam, I have the crank at 0 and there seems to be two notched on cam a slit then seems like an 11 or 2 notched, do I set this staright up or pointed down at the crank, it seems it need to be pointed up, with first cyclinder one in front valves closed.
I am just unsure

Are you saying you removed the camshaft sprocket? If you did and you're retiming the engine from scratch, you need to get a copy of the FSM and follow it TO THE LETTER to set initial timing. In a diesel engine there isn't any room for error due to the extremely low clearances between piston and head/valves.

In the future, if you ever remove the camshaft use some zip ties to hold the timing chain to the camshaft sprocket. The camshaft is indexed to the sprocket with a dowel pin so when you go to reassemble everything will still be correctly timed.

If you don't have the index tool, you can make a drip tool and set the start of WOT fuel delivery. Just pretend you have a 61x, it might take a couple tries.

This is a link to the W124 shop manual.

Oops, the board won't allow that link. Here
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...124-manual.jpg

thanks
 

i got it I think, I set crank at 0 then cam sprocket had 2 different marks, I had it on wrong one and a local set me straight, showed me that the double 11 was the TDC or the cam and the valve lobe for first cylinder straight up, oh well this is my first Mercedes, wow what great engineering but all parts etc need to be back on it
i did do as you said unfortunately i got stupid and moved the chain after I had it running, the noise was the chain guide not set in properly now rectified
Im about to put it back together and am crossing my fingers and saying a prayer