I am trying to adjust the Valves on a 123 300D turbo. Seems pretty straight forward so far, buuuut. I have a problem. None of the lobes are facing up and I need to turn the crankshaft to make them be up. Diesel Giant suggested turning the power steering belt clockwise at the belt and it should do the trick. Well, I tried that, but the belt kept on slipping. Has that happened to anyone else? Not to mention the fact that I can tell the crankshaft REALLY doesn't want to turn. However, I never have power steering problems when I drive so I figured to just leave it be for now.

There is a 22mm near right where the timing chain is, but I know better than to start wrenching on random nuts. Is there any way to turn the crankshaft besides taking out the radiator and accessing it right at the source?

You could try going for the crank bolt, or you might be able to use the power steering still by firmly pressing down or pulling up in the middle of the belt span with your hand as you turn the pulley with a wrench, this tightens the belt, it has not always, but most usually worked for me. You might also try removing/loosening the glow plugs to get rid of the fighting against compression.

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Chris
64 190D R.I.P.
80 240D W/617 engine -for sale
82 240D -for sale

Good call not to wrench on random nuts. That cam nut has specific torque specs, so I wouldn't do that. If you don't want to take the radiator out (I agree that sounds like a PITA), you could try to take some slack out of your power steering belt. If you don't want to try that (because that's not guaranteed to work) you could also try removing injectors or glow plugs to take the pressure out of the cylinders. Good luck!

Don't use the powersteering nut. That is a tapered shaft and over torquing it can make that pulley a bear to get off some day. Use a 27mm? socket on the crankshaft bolt, you don't need to remove anything to get at it. Or get a length of wire and jump the starter over to turn the engine. (+ battery terminal to the small screw of the junction box near the battery)

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Adam Lumsden
(83) 300D
Vice-President of the MBCA International Stars Section

I second the GP remove mention. get that pressure off the motor. also, make sure if you have a manual transmission that the trans is in neutral.
John

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Go ahead and spring for a 27mm socket. Shouldn't be more than $10 at your local hardware store. Its one of those odd sizes that'll come in handy on these cars, like if you ever need to remove your injectors, for example. Get a stubby half inch socket extension, about an inch or two in length. This will allow you to get your 27mm on the crank pulley with everything in place. Grab a helper if you have one so you don't have to keep getting up and down to check the position of the lobes as you turn. This is the right way to do it, I just use the p/s pulley. Shame on me.

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Seth

1984 300D 225K
1985 300D Donor body
1985 300D Turbo 165K. Totaled. Donor Engine. It runs!!!
1980 300SD 311K My New Baby.
1979 BMW 633csi 62K+++? Dead odo

and if you use the crank socket idea, I belive 1-1/16 is close enough. and much more easy to find.
John

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

I have seen 27 mm sockets at Sears, AutoZone, O'reilly, etc. I did not find them at Lowe's or Home Depot.

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RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K