I noticed that my engine got progressively nicer running when I was adjusting the pump the other day.

Has anyone ever tried timing with the motor running and listening/feeling the engine into time? On my old BMW that was the only way to set the timing was by feel because the chain had stretched so badly.


Assuming that the motor is close so the pipes don't need to be bent all ove the place couldn't you with a little leverage move the IP back and forth slightly to feel it nto the best position?

Just a wild thought I had....

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The universally recognized best diesel mechanic in the area (central Minnesota) used to time in the Bosch injection pumps on Minneapolis-Moline and various other diesel farm machines strictly by ear -- he just fiddled for a few seconds until the sound of the fuel igniting was just the way he wanted it. People generally agreed that their tractors were most economical and easiest starting when he did it that way.

The problem is, those types of machines, which peak out between 1600 and 2200 rpm, have no centrifugal timing advance devices or ALDAs, or anything else which might upset the simplest base timing.

I worked on school buses for a living for 10 years, all of them 6.9 and 7.3 liter IHC's until the T444E came out. When I replaced the pump and nozzles on them, I set them by ear and by watching for smoke from the tailpipe. It's not that I WANTED to do it that way, it's just that the shop I worked for wouldn't spend the cash for a 'tach-n-time'. I had no problems with doing it that way, even though it would have saved time with the correct tool. However....those engines had gear driven valve-trains so you didn't have to compensate for t-chain stretch. I don't think it's a great idea to be fiddling with the timing of a Merc diesel without some form of verifying the timing. There's too much to lose with one of these engines.

I know of one of the Benz mechanics does it this say - he says the A-B tool is INACCURATE! But, they are also dealing with people who don't want new chains !! So, he is adjusting to compensate for chain stretch.... The A-B tool would be "ACCURATE" if the chain wasn't so badly stretched!

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Brian Toscano

Its been my opinion for a while that most diesels seem to like more advanced timing than what the specs call for. On my GM I had the timing set then I scribed a reference line and advanced the timing until it sounded "right". You don't have to go too far, about an 1/8" separation between the scribe marks on the GM is just right. If you go too far it is pretty obvious, the engine/injectors will sound "harsh". Hard to describe but you know it when you hear it. I set the VW with a dial indicator tool that makes it very easy. Haven't tried the MB yet but I will.... RT

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