I just bought a 77 240d for parts, sight unseen. Well picked it up, and the body is very nice, inside a bit rough though. Runs well, and drives nicely, like it better then my 300d.

So now I plan to fix it up and drive it. With that in mind I have been taking care of maintenance items, and I can not get one valve to adjust, it is too tight. After loosening the adjusting nuts, I can not get the lower nut to go down any further, it is tight against the spring retainer. Am I simply out of room to adjust, or could the retainer be stuck and not letting lower the nuts to give more clearance. The clearance is about .0015 right now. All others adjusted just fine.

The original Valve Wrench set has a Wrench to hold the Spring Retainer so it does not rotate.
However, there are other methods of holding the Spring Retainer in one spot.
Please check the below Links for some of the methods.
Repair Links
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diy-links-parts-category/

http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/DoItYourSelf

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

not sure what 911 is linking to...
I just jam a screwdriver into the retainer, and try to get to spin.

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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 do not remember specific threads so I thought it would be in one of the Valve Adjustment threads or the Valve Wrench Threads in the DIY Section.

Your method is mentioned and I believe someone said they use the head of a 17mm Wrench wedged between the Cam Shaft Bearing Tower and the Valve Spring Retainer.
But, I have used neither method myself so I could not supply any details; details that I thought the DIY Links would have.

My experience with stuck Valve Adjustment Nuts so far:
I have the Hazet 3rd Wrench and had 2 of the Nuts sticking. The Wrench worked but I felt it was an awkard tool to use.

On the next Valve Adjustment on the same Engine I did not need to use the 3rd Wrench; no sticking Nuts.

So I believe that ounce the stuck nuts are loosened; if you do regular valve adjustments you will not ever need that 3rd Wrench again.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Worked on the 240d today. Did get the valve adjustment nuts loose. Managed to get an adjustable wrench on the retainer, and was able to get the others loose. I now have it just about ready for inspection, just need a windshield, then it is good to go.Will do more to the interior as time allows.

Perfect.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel