Timing is everything

[bschwartz]

My Metro 6/1 just hasn't run 'right' for several months.  It's been noiser than it used to be.  Intake making more noise.  Louder diesel knock.  More smoke etc.  Power has been fine, putting out over 3KW, but just not running the way I thought it should.
I've adjusted rocker clearances, tried removing the changeover valve and going back to a plain plug, adjusted injection timing and everything else I could think of.  I figured that I just had a bunch of carbon build up from running WVO with some several hour runs at only about 1/3 load.

Today, I was taking out the idler gear to try changing back from the brass to the steel gear.  I just like playing........
Anyway, the crank slipped, and moved while I was putting the timing gear back in, throwing off my valve timing.

I think it moved one tooth, retarding the valve timing. 

Not being quite sure, I buttoned up the engine and tried starting it.
I wouldn't start and acted like retarded injection timing.......
I advanced the injection timing via the seat of the pants 'a few turns' method.

BINGO!!!!!!  Runs like a champ now!  Quieter, easier starting, less diesel knock, no smoke etc.!!! 

I must have been running one tooth off for months.
These engines are unbelievable to be able to perform that far out of spec.

If your intake is noisy, it seems to 'knock' more than you think it should, smokes, and nothing else makes sense, try adjusting the valve timing.  These will run one tooth off!

[billswan]

Good job! Have you run any waste motor oil yet?

Billswan

[bschwartz]

No waste oil yet.  I'm still looking for a 30 gallon barrel to use for cleaning the oil first.  I don't want to dump the motor oil into the same cleaning barrel I use for my veg oil.