Pump Timing Adjustment

[stuzbot]

As posted in another thread, today I got my van through it's first MOT since I've owned .

Anyway, while I was in there, I took advantage of the situation to ask the mechanic what he reckoned to the still pretty rattly sound of my engine at lower revs and acceleration. And he confirmed my own suspicions [and those of some of you folks on the forum here] that it sounded like the diesel pump timing was slightly advanced.

So, given, I did the cambelt myself only a few months ago and know that everything is set spot on as regards those aspects of the timing etc. I'm pondering what the best way to go about tweaking the injector pump timing is.

I've watched a couple of vids on YouTube where people show you how to do it and it doesn't look too onerous a job. But obviously it requires a special timing gauge to screw into the pump, to take the readings etc. So basically I'm wondering:

1: Given I've not done this particular job before, do you think it's an easy enough job to justify me buying a pump timing tool and doing it myself?

or...

2: Is it the kind of job that's so basic it would actually work out cheaper for me just to drop it into a diesel place [or even, god forbid VW themselves as I have a VW Commercial centre about 5 miles from where I live] and let them do it, rather than buying the special tools?

or...

Is it the kind of job that you could do yourself without the special tools, just by listening to the engine?
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1992 VW LT35 2,4D [SOLD]
1993 VW LT35 2,4D [SOLD]
1992 VW T3 1,6TD Syncro [SOLD]
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[MarkWard]

If you intend to hold on to that engine, I would get the cam and pump lock tools along with the dial indicator setup.
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[Zeitgeist 13]

I've manually adjusted pump timing on 1.6 NA engines by loosening the pump bolts slightly, and then using a huge pair of Channellocks to rotate the pump; toward the head to advance, and away to retard. I did this with the engine running so I could hear the changes in clacking.
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Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[DanHoug]

Casey's method is very simple and you can definitely hear the timing differences as you rock the pump back and forth.

also, don't discount that you may have injectors that need service. i would notice more nailing as the injectors would deteriorate, evidenced by removing them and pop testing them and i'd find that they would be squirting instead of producing a nice fog. start by trying a tank additive for cleaning the injectors. i could notice a cleaning difference with Diesel Kleen.

https://powerservice.com/psp_product/diesel-kleen-cetane-boost/

if that doesn't help, a fresh set of injectors does wonders. i'd rebuild my own with new nozzles and set the pop pressure, but that is a bit deep for some folks.
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-dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.

'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd

Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com

[stuzbot]

[?Waldo?]

[stuzbot]

[Zeitgeist 13]

Yep, the scribe line should allow you to play with it and still have a safe return if you don't like the results.

I should clarify that you don't slacken or tighten the pump bolts with the engine running. You just rotate the pump when it's running, and once it's where you like, shut it down and re-tighten the bolts.
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Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[DanHoug]

and don't get the bottom bolt and cone nut so loose it rattles off... that cone nut falls into a casting web that is a bugger to get out!
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-dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.

'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd

Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com