Valve adjustment symptoms

[JordaanDMC-12]

Hey all, I did searches and stuff and I didn't really get what I was looking for. So I have this 1970 220D with 138,000 miles that you all hear about every other day that sat in a barn for 17 years. Sat in a dirt lot for a comfirmed 2 years and still has the tires originally purchased in 1980 on the rear.

Knowing about it sitting and how original everything is, I can almost be certain that this car hasn't had a valve adjustment in years, and I mean years. I've put almost 2,000 miles on it since it has been revived, but I noticed the past couple of days it seems noisier and like something is rattling within the valve cover. I was panicking this morning because I started thinking what if the engine went bad, would I know for sure if something like that was happening?

I don't have loss of power, it just smokes a lot. The smoke is mostly visible at night because of headlights, but during the day it's just little puffs. I didn't know what to pinpoint it to until I remembered the valves. I asked my dad to listen to the engine and he said it sounded fine. But I can't shake the feeling I heard the sound of metal rattling under the hood. Sounds okay now, maybe i'm going crazy lol

Soooo after all that, my questions are:

What are the symptoms of needing a valve adjustment?

What are the symptoms of a failing engine?

I know I need one regardless but I just want to know if I can blame this noise on the valves....

Thanks everyone!

[strelnik]

Originally Posted by JordaanDMC-12

Hey all, I did searches and stuff and I didn't really get what I was looking for. So I have this 1970 220D with 138,000 miles that you all hear about every other day that sat in a barn for 17 years. Sat in a dirt lot for a comfirmed 2 years and still has the tires originally purchased in 1980 on the rear.

Now, I can almost be certain that this car hasn't had a valve adjustment in years, and I mean years. I've put almost 2,000 miles on it since it has been revived, but I noticed the past couple of days it seems noisier and like something is rattling within the valve cover. I was panicking this morning because I started thinking what if the engine went bad, would I know for sure if something like that was happening?

I don't have loss of power, it just smokes a lot. The smoke is mostly visible at night because of headlights, but during the day it's just little puffs. I didn't know what to pinpoint it to until I remembered the valves. I asked my dad to listen to the engine and he said it sounded fine. But I can't shake the feeling I heard the sound of metal rattling under the hood. Sounds okay now, maybe i'm going crazy lol

Soooo after all that, my questions are:

What are the symptoms of needing a valve adjustment?

What are the symptoms of a failing engine?

I know I need one regardless but I just want to know if I can blame this noise on the valves....

Thanks everyone!

Jordaan, did you check the oil level in the fuel injection pump I sold you? Don't let it die from lack of oil. It's NOT lubed by the engine oil system.

s

[79Mercy]

it could be a bad injector. I would blame an injector because I would a motor.

[leathermang]

Originally Posted by JordaanDMC-12

I don't have loss of power, it just smokes a lot. The smoke is mostly visible at night because of headlights, Thanks everyone!

You are going in REVERSE !!! put it into F so you will be leaving that smoke behind you !!!

It is not that hard to do a valve adjustment.
The cost of not doing one CAN be terrible... a burned valve which means you have to take the head off and have it fixed..
So bite the bullet and do a valve adjustment...
You really ought to put new valve stem seals on it also...

The only real way to determine the general condition of the engine is a compression test and a leak down test.... both of which you would not do UNTIL you have done the proper valve adjustment...

Do you have a copy of the Haynes manual ?

[JordaanDMC-12]

Originally Posted by strelnik

Jordaan, did you check the oil level in the fuel injection pump I sold you? Don't let it die from lack of oil. It's NOT lubed by the engine oil system.

s

I have not recently, but i'll check that right now!

[79Mercy]

ohh crap

[JordaanDMC-12]

Originally Posted by 79Mercy

it could be a bad injector. I would blame an injector because I would a motor.

Speaking of which I have a leaking injector, it's #4? The one closest to the cabin. It's been leaking for awhile now, which is why I didn't link it.

[79Mercy]

Im pretty sure you can have them pop tested by a Bosch repair shop for about 10 each.

[JordaanDMC-12]

Originally Posted by leathermang

You are going in REVERSE !!! put it into F so you will be leaving that smoke behind you !!!

It is not that hard to do a valve adjustment.
The cost of not doing one CAN be terrible... a burned valve which means you have to take the head off and have it fixed..
So bite the bullet and do a valve adjustment...
You really ought to put new valve stem seals on it also...

The only real way to determine the general condition of the engine is a compression test and a leak down test.... both of which you would not do UNTIL you have done the proper valve adjustment...

Do you have a copy of the Haynes manual ?

I REALLY would like to do the valve adjustment on my own,especially because it's 150$ for a mech to do it. I'm just worried I would mess it up. I've never done any engine work other than installing the shut off engine switch on the 220 lol

To which I know of, there isn't a Haynes manual for my chassis Just the 240D

Also, the smoke is visible because I see it in the rear view mirror in the headlights of the car behind me, it's like a fog machine sometimes lol

[79Mercy]

valve ajustments are easy. Use 2 14mm wrench's(1 thin + 1 thick) and adjust the intake to .10mm and the exhaust to .30mm.

Your car should have the original tool kit in the trunk, use the 14mm wrench from that kit. It is a pretty thin wrench adn works great.

[leathermang]

I think we can guide you through one if you can send pictures and go slow...
Do you have the ability to post pictures as you go along ?

[JordaanDMC-12]

just checked the oil in the IP....


I unscrewed the oil level control screw and Diesel came out

ummmmmm

[JordaanDMC-12]

Originally Posted by leathermang

I think we can guide you through one if you can send pictures and go slow...
Do you have the ability to post pictures as you go along ?

That would be amazing if you all could do that! yeah I can post pics as I go.

[79Mercy]

well then, start adjusting those valves.

[leathermang]

WHOA.... pick up that new valve cover gasket first....LOL
I do think we can do that... lets discuss details... and try to do it in one ' session' ...