Retarding the timing will typically make it smoke more. Later injection=less complete burn. Also smoking will be caused by insufficient air (lack of boost), also known as too much fuel for the amount of air. Probably someone increased the fueling to make the turbo spool faster. Because your turbo is not producing boost, you are never getting into the clean burning part of the program. Get that wastegate shut.Andrew
My timing was @ 0.75mm on my 1.9TD before. Over 3500rpm, there wasn't power and lots of smoke. I advanced the timing @ 1.01mm (hammer mod) and now, I feel the power until 5000rpm and there's no smoke. I run only 8-9PSI (winter mode) with an intercooler, there's no smoke. With my old 1.6TD I had about 19-20PSI @ 3000rpm with a KKK K24 turbocharger, non wastegate (the tube between the turbo abd the wastegate was removed and replaced by 2 bolts)My father's car has a trouble; two manifold bolts are broken and I can have only 5 PSI for the moment and it doesn't sound good, and smells smoke inside.
If there is an issue with poor performance and smoke with stock timing, I would strongly suggest not advancing the timing, at least until you have had the injectors properly redone. Smoking and poor performance are prime symptoms of poor spray patterns on injectors. Advancing the timing further can easily melt pistons or prechambers. It might seem to run better for a little while....Andrew