Apparently, to replace the valve seals is not too hard, but requires a special tool, an "assembly mandrel".

A book I have that talks about buying a Benz claims that the seals on this engine tend to need replacing after 100K or so.

I took it to a mechanic, and asked him, "How much to replace the valve seals adjust the valves?"

"I Choose not to replace the valve seals, but I will adjust the valves for $350."

I interpreted the bit about the valve seals to mean, "I do not know doodly about valve seals on Diesel engines", and the bit about the $350 to mean "I think you are some sort of sucker, and/or I don't know how to do this either, and I wish to make you go away."

Now I think it meant that he didn't have the proper tools to work on Diesels.

I recommend the wrenches ************** sells. The crowfeet on the wrenches are staggered (unlike, I hear, the more expensive Hazet wrenches sold on EBay), which makes using them a lot easier, and he throws in a metric feeler gauge. Dieselgiant's DVD was extremely helpful, as were a couple of people on this Forum.

The job took me about 2 hours. I am sure an experienced mechanic could do it in 30 minutes. The worst part was the 90 degree Miami heat and bending over, which, apparently, I am not used to doing. I have only adjusted valves once before, when I was a teenager.

I haven't done the seals yet. Perhaps someday...

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Semibodacious Transmogrifications a Specialty

1990 300D 2.5 Turbo sedan 171K (Rudolf)
1985 300D Turbo TD Wagon 219K (Remuda)

"Time flies like and arrow, yet fruit flies like a banana"
---Marx (Groucho)