w201 timing adjustment
 

I was wondering if anyone has any tips for adjusting timing on a w201 using a timing light. I don't know why but it is very difficult to see the timing marks on the crankshaft pulley. Is there another way to do it? Any tricks? My mechanic spent about half an hour originally trying to set the timing.

xp

First you need to MARK the either the 5 or the 10deg BTDC groove on the damper with WHITE paint. Then move the engine fan clutch wire with a long screwdriver as you Try to see the pointer & mark.

one mroe thing
 

What should the timing be set to? I read 5 degress.

The car is an 85 190E 2.3L 8vlv, I can't find anything about it in the manual, and nothing on the car either.

xp

Look at the emission tuneup label in the engine compartment. Mine is on the top radiator support. The label will have the initial timing setting.

The easiest way to set it is with a dial back light. Set the dial on the light at the timing setting, then set the 0/T mark to the pointer.

Duke

No sticker!
 

I looked all over for the sticker witht he info, but it's not there. In fact, I don't ever recall seeing anything that would have that info on it.

How can I find the propper timing for this engine? Especially since it was swapped, is there a way to do this without an emissions computer? Did maybe all the engines have the same setting?

I'd love to adjust it, but I don't know to what :confused: :confused: :confused:

xp

If the car was ever in a front end accident that resulted in replacement of the top radiator support the label was probably not replaced. You can probably buy the correct label at a dealer for a couple of bucks. I recall the correct initial timing for my erstwhile '84 2.3 was five degrees BTDC.

Duke

no accidents here
 

The car was never involved in an accident but it was repainted, even under the hood. I guess the sticker was lost in the process, but I believe 5 degress is what it was set to before.

Thanks so much Duke.

xp

Are there static marks as well?

Haasman

I am sorry to ask off topic question.

Does W124 also have BTDC?

Alldata document does not mention it:

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The engine must be checked for correct basic timing (crankshaft at 0 °TDC and camshaft at TDC mark) to determine if the timing chain is stretched.

In order to check basic engine timing, turn the engine slowly (in normal rotation) using the crankshaft pulley bolt until the mark on camshaft sprocket aligns with the mark on the camshaft bearing cap (arrows, Figure 1). The position of the crankshaft will tell if the chain is stretched, i.e. is still within specifications (Figure 2). For engine 606, refer to SMS Job No. AR 05.20-6010 HA.

1. If the timing mark on the crankshaft pulley is off by 3 °- 10 °:

^ The timing chain is stretched and should be replaced (Engine 602/603 SMS, Job No. 05.10-320; Engine 606 SMS, Job No. AR05.10-7601 HA).
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