[Vwdiesel] Timing by ear

[Sandy Cameron]

Tipping the pump (top) toward the engine  advances the timing. (injection
sooner)

Tipping pump (top)  away from the engine retards the timing (injection later)

Sounds like you may be one tooth out with pump sprocket.I have found one
MUST use a pin (11mm deep socket) to hold the sprocket in place when timing,
or the internal spring/cam will move it about one tooth out.

Symptoms:

RETARDED TIMING:   causes hard starting (even when warm), stumbling, due to
late injection /no ignition (compression is already dropping off, air in
cylinder is cooling as piston goes down, won't light up)
There is little or no clattering when running (marbles in a shaken coffee can).

ADVANCED TIMING:  Radical, won't start, injection/fires before TDC, like
ether, Laboured cranking

Minor advance: Usually starts quickly, but with terrible clattering (marbles
in can)

BE SURE ADVANCE LEVER (COLD START) IS  IN WHEN SETTING WITH MICROMETER.

I have had significant good luck timing-by-ear, setting pump with barely
detectable clatter with cold start in, and noticable clatter with it pulled out.

Theory clinched by cold Canadian winter starts, won't start unless cold
start is pulled out, starts quickly when it is pulled. That's what it's all
about.

Sandy