Can bad timing cause starting problems?

[fx4wannabe]

Title pretty much sums it up. I have been fighting starting problems since I changed the pump and injectors. If I have a fuel/air leak I can't find it. Truck is hard to start after it sits a bit and I wondered if retarded timing would affect this.

 

[icanfixall]

Yes, timing can cause a hard start. When you changed the injection pump did you remove the injection pump with the gear cover and gear still attached.... Also when you removed the filter to injection pump hard line did you replace the olive gaskets found in both ends of it... That could very well be a source of an air leak. Those gaskets are 5/16 inch and found a better injection pump repair shops.

 

[Diesel JD]

Timing will make it hard to start, especially hard to start warm if it's too far advanced. The most probable cause for the timing to be that bad is if you had the gear cover off as Gary said and the gear jumped a tooth. You really want to time that thing with a luminosity probe or pulse type timing adapter. Otherwise you're guessing.