My 83 300D seems to generate more black/grey smoke at idle than my 240D. You really notice it with the A/C on. I thought I would check the injection timing this afternoon. I really had no other symptons other than the smoke...fuel economy is about 28.5 (mostly highway miles), starts good when cold, the car has great power, and it's not using much oil. I had previously adjusted the valves and did a rough check of the chain stretch and it looked ok.

I used the Richard Easley method and found the start of delivery at 17 degrees when it should be 24. I loosened the pump and adjusted it towards the engine and now have about 23 degrees. Spec is 24.

The smoke seems a bit less but I can't tell how much yet.

My question is what are the symptoms of having the injection timing too late (like I had) or too early? It will take me awhile to see if fuel ecomony, performance, or smoke changes much.

thanks
Joe