poor MPG

[Baron VonZeppelin]

except to tell you where it is set :p. lol

hello
the guy told him he set everything dead on - no advancing.

ring ring ... How else can he possibly determine that ?
truth is - he can't , you can't , i can't - nobody can

only an ECU feeding into vag-com on TDI , or dial indicator / tool on IDI, can.

That was the question.
The old man already acknowledged he sets them by ear/feel.

[8v-of-fury]

hello
the guy told him he set everything dead on - no advancing.

hey there
Totally missed that, well then its probably set so low I'm surprised it starts!

[ORCoaster]

The actual number where it is set doesn't really mean anything except to tell you where it is set :p. lol  This Be Pure Wisdom in an otherwise confusing situation.  

Seeing as how every pump needs a different setting due to wear and what-not the settings are just a guideline. You know your in this guideline based on how the car is running.

I would have to agree/concur/say yeah, setting the pump with the marks dead on gets you close.  Measuring the amount of advance at that point in time sets the baseline.  Write it down and adjust accordingly.  Some pumps will need more advance than what is written on the label posted in the engine bay.  Oh, some have washed it off?  See Bentley then.  

Age, fuel type, weather conditions, the routes you drive and how you want the car to run all could make one setting suck and the same setting be just great.  
I like to think that the marks and pins we insert here and there allow us to get the engine to start.  The actual amount of timing we then provide makes it run like we want it to.

[8v-of-fury]

"Age, fuel type, weather conditions, the routes you drive and how you want the car to run all could make one setting suck and the same setting be just great.  
I like to thing that the marks and pins we insert here and there allow us to get the engine to start.  The actual amount of timing we then provide makes it run like we want it to."

Absolutely sir. I concur!!

[Powjetta]

I check my odometer on the freeway and its harder than it used to be to find the mile markers.  Gov Brown has better ways to spend the money.  Your oil leak may be at the intermediate shaft, my O ring had gotten hard and shrunk, but was simple to replace.

[Baron VonZeppelin]

Rabbit82, most more than likely your timing IS advanced.
You can verify that with the dial indicator before you pull the belt.
It would be a great idea to do that, so you have a benchmark.

Your spec is 0.90mm
0.91 or higher is advancing
0.89 or lower is retarding

I have a very very hard time believing anyone uses the indexes or ear/feel methods and ends up right smack on 0.90mm

Don't be surprised if its close to, or over, 1.00mm

Real easy to verify setting.
You only remove the upper timing cover (to see if Inj Pump is aligned or 180* out when you hit TDC) , bellhousing bung - to see TDC timing mark , and the 12mm access bolt in rear of Inj Pump.
On a good running engine.

http://vincewaldon.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24&Itemid=28

This tutorial is more in depth than you need for just verifying - but you'll find it handy. When you go to reset the belt after your repairs - the whole tutorial comes into play.
 

[rabbit82]

OK, here is the latest info on gpm. After the first post on this thread I filled it up again and got 36 mpg. I then filled it again and used diesel clean and got 42 mpg. Not sure what is going on but I haven't touched a thing. This car sat a long time before I got it. Anyway, things are looking up. I hope to soon be able to check the timing on the pump.

[Baron VonZeppelin]

I use PowerService DieselKleen pretty religiously.
Mostly for the SlickDiesel lubricant additive - and Cetane Boost.

You get the white jug or the grey jug ?

Keep using it - it might keep on getting better - up to maybe high 40's low 50's.

[rabbit82]

Grey jug.