Valve adjustment importance

[NoSparkNeeded]

Morning idle quality was really poor. Only for a minute, then I thought
the motor ran fine. Now the car will start and idle superbly without even
touching the throttle. Driving around to garage sales this morning I
could hardly believe the difference in smoothness at all speeds. I don't
know why but I didn't think a valve adjustment would do so much performance wise. I do the adjustment on my old BMW R100RS bike,
just because you are supposed to. IMO it doesn't run any different
after an adjustment. In the 300TD the difference was remarkable.
I'm sure going to do it every 12,000 miles. It was kind of a pain
but not bad once a year. That's all I'll drive this car in 12 mos.

Oh, and I finally got the A/C to hold a charge. After taking every connection apart and installing new o-rings, I purchased a Harbor Freight leak detector and it found no leaks. Anyone want to buy it? I tested
it on an "empty" can of 134a and it seemed to work fine,however it did not
detect the compressor seal leak.
I thought it has to be the compressor seal. Sure enough it was. I put in a 4 Seasons rebuilt. We'll see how long that lasts. Blowing cold since Thursday.

All I have left is SLS fluid change, perhaps a new stereo, the pinstripe re-do, and the little nylon slider thing in the sunroof.
I have changed out all belts, hoses, fluids, and filters, with all the "right stuff" I've read about in this forum.This place is a goldmine. I completed the rustectomy satisfactorily. I also ordered a set of glass euro lights and
clear side markers. They are a Taiwan knock off I suspect. Will report (if)when they get here.

[bhut2180]

how long had it been since the valves were adjusted, I just bought an 84 TD and have been contemplating adjusting the valves. DId you need special valve wrenches or will regular craftsman work??

Sounds like you've been busy with your TD

[willy2004]

Originally Posted by bhut2180

how long had it been since the valves were adjusted, I just bought an 84 TD and have been contemplating adjusting the valves. DId you need special valve wrenches or will regular craftsman work??

Sounds like you've been busy with your TD

I think you do need the special wrenches, 3 of them though some guys may use only 2. I had the Hazet wrenches, very nice, sold them to a forum guy for around $60 (including the feeler gauges) when I got rid of my W126. There are plenty of DIY articles out there for this job.

Also, some guys make their own wrenches by bending them under heat. I would check w/Phil if I were looking for a set.

[willy2004]

there are the hazet tools: 123 126 Hazet Valve Adjust Tools + Feeler Gauge + Fuel Line $65 ship included

[NoSparkNeeded]

I made my own wrenches by heating and bending. You could probably
get by with two short 14mm wrenches though. I don't know how long it had been since the po adjusted the valves. All but three were very tight.
The job is kind of fiddley but not hard. Be sure to take a picture of how
all the linkage goes back on.

[ImBroke]

I bent my own as well. However, I'm trying to track down the Snap on Driver, because I hear he has 14mm thin wrenches, vice my grinding mine thinner to fit.

[punky]

For what it's worth, I never liked the bent wrenches. I found that I can use a standard length(maybe 10" long) 14 combo and then a cheapie 14 I cut the box end off. That way I can easily slip and slide the wrenches over and under one another while adjusting.