Diesel Timing Tools

I know about the drip spout for early diesels. Is there another tool for the DIYer that is more like the timing lights we are used to? I have a 240D I need to time, and have heard the drip method only gets you close. Surely in this age of computer whizzes, someone makes an electronic sensor or something.
Yoda, 1977 240D, 214,000 miles and holding.

[Benzmac]

I do have a scope that will do it using a piezo tweeter for a pickup on the line. But the down side is that the tool and accessories cost about $3,500 dollars.

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Benzmac:
1981 280GE SWB
1987 16V
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
SERVICE MANAGER FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

Yoda,

Come on Yoda, isn't your favorite Benz worth investing in a few pieces of equipment? No guts, no glory!

Have a great day,

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Larry Bible
'84 Euro 240D, 516K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles

[Douglas Broome]

There was an article in the Star a couple of years back on how to do this without any special drip tube or fancy scope. Looked dooable. E-mail me if you cannot find it. I'll search it out. If you do use the dreaded drip tube, it is not so bad. Instead of one drip per second, though, get as close to--not exceed--one drip per 19 seconds as you can. When did mine, it came out at 13 seconds per drip, so I left it alone. Techs are trained to get it between one drip per 10 to 19 seconds. The difference sounds big, but it really is quite small in effect.

[stevebfl]

We use Bosch's high pressure method for setting up a new install. It is also a $3000 tool. It uses the same concept and thus same specs as drip timing. Its benefit is that the pressure overcomes the pump element check valve which needs to be removed on early cars and can't be removed on later cars.

We also use exactly what you are looking for if its still sold. Our piezo transducer came from Snap-On (was less than $100 I think - been years) and works with any timing light. The problem with this method is specifications. The timing light usually runs something like ten degrees BTDC. Bosch doesn't sell their timing light arrangement in the US because of the lack of specs.

I've written up a DIY procedure for injection pump timing for the 617 engine at this location:
http://hsb.baylor.edu/html/easley/autofaqs/iptiming.htm

. . .that is based on a suggested DIY procedure by Jim Mahaffey. Jim is a contributing editor of The Star (the MBCA club magazine) and is a well-known MB expert, particularly on MB clocks and radios.

I've used the IP procedure myself on an '84 300D and it does work well. Note that it does *not* require the use of special tools . . .

Richard Easley
Waco, Texas

Hi,
Unless you do lots of repair work, it isn't worth the expense to go with the electronic stuff for diesel timing. Other than first service and diagnosis, it's not the sort of thingbthat you check frequently. I could never get one right with an OTC Tach&Time. I found the regular M-B test equipment to be most effective. When I was still at it the RIV tester and A-B box was the latest.
I'd also like to wish Richard a warm welcome to the forum.
Regards,
Randy D.

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W.R.Durrance
ASE Master Tech
Mercedes Tech 20 Years
68 250SE
68 SAAB 96 Ice Racer
69 300SEL 6.3
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81 300TDT