Fuel injection timing control for a large reciprocating piston combustion engine

A method for controlling the operation of a large reciprocating piston combustion engine (1) of the diesel type includes injecting fuel into a combustion chamber (3) of the reciprocating piston combustion engine and applying so-called variable injection timing in a partial load range by advancing (±) the value of the injection begin angle depending on engine load (P). The method additionally includes detecting an increase in engine load (P), comparing the detected increase with a predetermined value, and shifting the advance (±) in the injection begin angle caused by variable injection timing to zero value if the detected increase exceeds the predetermined value.