[Vwdiesel] Cold start knob question (again)

[Smith, Michael]

1986 Golf 1.6L NA diesel 

My cold start knob cable and the linkage on the back of pump are pretty much
seized. (car sat 2.5 yrs)
 I did put some WD-40 and some penetrating oil on them a couple months ago
when I first bought the hunk-o-junk, errr, excuse me, MONEY PIT
....no, wait, nice cute lil' rattle-rattle diesel. (Bondo Golfy)

Anyways, it was impossible to start y'day w/o a boost, even though it was
rolling over not too bad.

My question is, <and I am sure some of you had replied to this months ago,
but I don't recall the general consensus>......
Can I just reach down behind the back of the pump with a screwdriver or
whatever and make it so the timing
is quite advanced......to aid in starting.

Someone gave me a good answer on this, but for the life of me I don't recall
the details.  I think it was more or less
assumed that it wouldn't hurt anything by leaving it advanced?  It will be
repaired eventually, but for now, I'd like to get it so the car will start
better.

I have yet to test the GP's........but I will--eventually---I promise !  I
like Hagars ammeter idea for an initial setup, then I may eventually employ
Mr. Marks'
 el-cheapo diode-miser-LED cct.

Frozen Mike in NB