Ideally, both cams will be at 0 TDC on the crank. Usually the rigth side is a bit later (2 - 4 ATDC) with a new chain unless you put an offset key in there.

Make sure the correct plug is being used for timing -- if not, you will be way off.

I'm not sure how the ignition timing is set on the M119, so I can't help much there, but it souds as if something isn't being done right -- 25 BTDC is about what you want at high rpm, not at idle.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!