engine timing

[gtuson]

I service my diesel engine, but never tackled timing which looks a bit complicated. On the principle of 'if its not broke don't fix it,' are there any obvious symptoms that would suggest timing should be checked - and if there aren't any should I just leave well alone until such symptoms occur? The engine is a Ford Mermaid 72hp

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[tr7v8]

The only time that you'd reset timing on a diesel is if A. the pump is removed and replaced, or B. if the drive medium such as timing belt or chain is replaced. Otherwise if not excessively smoking I'd advise leaving it alone. Setting up demands a dial gauge and on some engines a degree disc.

<hr width=100% size=1>Jim

Draco 2500

 

[oldharry]

No. Leave well alone. the injector pump timing on a diesel will not slip unless a fairly major fault occurs. Setting it requires degree of precision and experience which is beyond the average amateur. On many engines the timing can be locked while repairs are done to the pump drive train, or should it need to be removed for any reason.

Otherwise leave well alone unless you have reason to beleive there is something wrong.

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[oldharry]

No. Leave well alone. the injector pump timing on a diesel will not slip unless a fairly major fault occurs. Setting it requires degree of precision and experience which is beyond the average amateur. On many engines the timing can be locked while repairs are done to the pump drive train, or should it need to be removed for any reason. If your pump timing is adjustable - usually by releasing the pump mounting bolts and rotating it against the engine body - it is well worth scribing a mark across the flanges so that should you have a mishap, you can replace it simply and sufficiently accurately to ensure it runs properly.

Otherwise leave well alone unless you have reason to beleive there is something wrong.

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[scottnewcombe]

Sorry to but in but...

If for example...I had removed the pump for servicing having looked first to see that the marks were in line and then had the pump returned.

However when I went to realign the marks the pump reconditioner had done such a nice job of cleaning the pump that half a dozen marks have miraculously appeared under the flaking paint.

So what to do now. The best guess replacement has got the engine to fire (eventually) but there is lots of white smoke. Can it be adjusted with the engine running the way you can with distributors on petrol engines.

Again sorry to but in.


Scott

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[brianhumber]

Check with Mermaid as to when the timing belt/chain should be replaced or get the industrial maintenance book direct from Ford.
Not a big job and you can make the required tools from bolts/angle iron.
Too early ignition and the engine knocks by firing well before TDC placing huge load on the small, big and main bearings. The moe the load and fuel injected into the cylinder the worse the problem.
Too late injection under load and combustion is still taking place when the exhaust valve opens - valve seat burn and exhaust temp is way too high.
Again look at the book



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[oldharry]

The actual method of timing the pump varies widely from engine to engine, but yes, you can theoretically set it 'by ear'. the immediate difficulty is that the high pressure injector lines are strictly not flexible, and have to be relieved for every degree or so of movement of the pump. Once the correct setting is found they should be released and retightened so that they are not stressed - otherwise they will fracture quite quickly.

There are only 2 solutions to deal with this: 1: pay a diesel engineer to come and sort it. 2: Find out how to do it to the book, beg borrow or buy the measuring tools - usually either a dial gauge or timing disc - and see if you can get it right. You should with a little perseverance be able to get it within tolerance, or at least close enough to identify which of the marks on the flange is the right one!

But poor starting and white smoke may be caused by minute air leaks on the low pressure side of the pump, or some other fuelling fault. Look for traces of fuel at each joint on the LP side. is the lift pump itself functioning propelrly after being disturbed? Timing is the obvious cause - but check around elsewhere before you start throwing lots of money at it to get right!

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[Heckler]

timing doesnt change on a diesel unless something is disturbed or breaks. timing is not a routine job and does not need to be checked as part of planned preventative maintenance. if you need to ask how to do it you probably dont have the skills or tools to do it, sorry but a fact of life, meant in the nicest possible way.
stu

<hr width=100% size=1>http://www.beneteau-owners-association.org.uk

 

[ccscott49]

If I were you, I would get a man in to do it, or find out from the guy who serviced the pump, which mark is the beggining of injection on cylinder one. once you know this, with this engine it is straightforward, the engine needs to be set at commencement of injection for the cylinder No 1, it should be marked on the flywheel or front pulley, (look in the manual, you do have a manual? Right?) once set, do not move it again, you also need to know that cyl No 1 is on compression, because it could be No 6, this you find out by observing the valve rockers on cyl No 6, the exhaust should be open, (now you are beggining to see why I said get a man in) Set the pump to the mark, and bolt it on, reset it to the mark! put the two bolts which connect the drive, thats it, timed. It would be much better to get somebody who knows how to do this. There is another way, which involves setting the crank at TDC for cyl one on compression and then turning the pump back a certain number of degrees, marked on the flanges, but this is getting complicated.

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[scottnewcombe]

Thanks for the replies.

I have just downloaded a manual from a link supplied on the forum somewhere.

I have timed petrol engines with degree discs and the likes but i'm a bit out of practice and have never worked on deisel engines before.

Ill have a look round for a deisel engineer in the YP and see how much it would cost.


Many thanks


Scott

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