question: why would you NOT just rotate the engine with the camshaft gear bolt?

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1982 300sd from craigslist $800 greased on one tank with NO CONVERSION in the Hot Texas Sun. (currently dead & awaiting engine damage investigation and/or longblock swap)
new daily: '03 vw 5speed jetta tdi wagon. bagged&chipped

Since the camshaft rotates at 1/2 speed of the crankshaft, working it backwards where the cam drives the crankshaft, it is twice as hard to turn the crankshaft by using the cam nut.

That's why I always turn the crankshaft by the nut on the crankshaft and so I don't screw up the timinhg chain or the tensioning device.

P E H

I have seen cam bolts break off, chains jump time, and guides fracture from stress while attempting to rotate the engine by the cam bolt..

Bad idea..

the reason i ask is that i did just this a couple of weeks ago. i just took it slow and let any compression leak out of each cylinder as i rotated. after thinking about it, if the chain is slack enough i imagine there is a possibility of valve to cylinder contact? but i'm used to working with the volvo gas 4 banger noninterference engine.

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1982 300sd from craigslist $800 greased on one tank with NO CONVERSION in the Hot Texas Sun. (currently dead & awaiting engine damage investigation and/or longblock swap)
new daily: '03 vw 5speed jetta tdi wagon. bagged&chipped

Valve adjustments are VERY important. I did a 84 300TD a month back, they were so out of adjment, the engine was rocking back and forth. I actually thought the engine was going to hit the right inner fender.

After adjustment, it was so smoothe at idle, it was a totally different car.

Here is the thread where I posted.

OM617.952 valve adjustment. How tight is too tight where the engine will not run?

This is a current thread running now, might be good to link it here. GO, No Go, feeler gauges.

Q: Type of feeler gauge to use for 617A valve adjustment

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

IN ADDITION to that....

Many people see that Power Steering nut and think " so much easier than getting to the Crank Nut "....

Also a terrible idea Specifically Forbidden in the Factory Shop Manual....

The reason ? That power steering shaft and that pulley are a taper fit... thus.... applying too much force... which by definition is the amount required to turn a 21 to 1 compression engine.... spreads that pulley's insides... makes it an interference fit.... and will cause you all sorts of heartaches if you have to take it off to work on it....and might cost you a new power steering pump also...

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1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/10414-help-i-need-check-stretch.html

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/156207-photo-step-step-post-showing-w123-evaporator-removal-1983-240d-1982-300td.html?highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html