This paper describes the engine performance and combustion characteristics of a CRDI diesel engine, operated by electronically controlled diesel fuel injector with variable injection timing. This experiment focused on fuel injection timing and pressure about combustion characteristics of CRDI diesel engine. EGR was excepted because it would be furtherly analyzed with additional experiments. The experiment was conducted under the circumstance of engine torque for 4, 8, 12 and 16 kgf-m and fuel injection timing for $15^{circ}$, $10^{circ}$ and $5^{circ}$ BTDC, at the engine speed of 1100, 1400, 1700 and 2000 rpm. Fuel injection was controlled to retard or advance initiation of the injection event by electronically controlled fuel injection unit injector on the personal computer. When fuel was injected into the cylinders of a CRDI diesel engine it would go through ignition delay before starting of combustion. Therefore, fuel injection timing of CRDI diesel engine had a significant effect upon performance and combustion characteristics. Depending on the injection timing the fuel consumption rate following the rotational speed and torque was 3~78 g/psh (1.7~30.6%). The range of fuel injection timing that resulted in low fuel consumption overall was BTDC 15-10 degrees.