Well, just TRIED to adjust valves... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

uneasysunday · #1 05-09-2011, 08:21 PM

and found out that it is a pain in the ass(and back) to do it with regular wrenches...

Just purchased my first mercedes diesel ( 79 240D 4 Speed). Its got 40-50 thousand miles on a rebuilt engine. The previous owner had the car for about 30,000miles and didn't even know what a valve adjustment was.

So the car runs good, is a little hard starting so the valve adjustment will be the first thing im doing tune up wise.

Got the valve cover off easily, then went to check first valve and it was too tight just like I thought. Went to adjust and the wrenches just were not going to work. They might of worked if I wanted to mess with them for hours but I just dont have the patience. The wrenches were too long and too thick and now I know why everyone who know what they are talking about reccomends the special bent wrenches. The people who do it regular wrenches must love hassles or are just crazy

.

So now im in the market for some valve adjusting wrenches... Please advise me on where to buy. Should I get some hazet wrenches on ebay? I am not opposed to just buying a cheap knock off version if they are avalible online. New or used, cheap or german made doesn't really matter, suggestions please...

vstech · #2 05-09-2011, 08:25 PM

I loaned a set I bent and ground to byronnash, ask him what he thinks of them. nothing special, cheapo 14mm wrenches bent to clear the injectors. no 3rd wrench, so if any spin, ya gots to jam somethin into the spring retainer to keep it still.
I'm thinking of selling them for 15.00 plus shipping. if anybody wants any.
I've also got a set to rent out listed in the tools forum.

gatorblue92 · #3 05-09-2011, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

I loaned a set I bent and ground to byronnash, ask him what he thinks of them. nothing special, cheapo 14mm wrenches bent to clear the injectors. no 3rd wrench, so if any spin, ya gots to jam somethin into the spring retainer to keep it still.
I'm thinking of selling them for 15.00 plus shipping. if anybody wants any.
I've also got a set to rent out listed in the tools forum.

I would buy a set if you do end up making them. I will need another valve adjustment by the end of the year.

leathermang · #4 05-09-2011, 10:17 PM

Question for Leathermang and others regarding valve wrenches and propane torch heat.

Diesel911 · #5 05-09-2011, 11:35 PM

Hazet Valve Wrench Head thickness = 0.242

People have said you can do it with regular Wrenches if you remove the Fuel Injection Hard Lines.
I have never tried that. I waited until I had a set of the Hazet Wrenches before I did my first Valve Adjustment.

compress ignite · #6 05-10-2011, 02:27 AM

'Have to be almost Extraordinarily Patient.(Zen of Feeler Gauges helps)

'Used to do the OM617.95X with them.

'Lots of triple checking (After tightening the locknut).[And Re-Adjusting]

If you're in a rush,you're Screwed.

uneasysunday · #7 05-10-2011, 04:01 AM

vstech, I will buy your wrenches for 15$+shipping, let me know what to do and I will send you the funds. I have a paypal account, thanks...

uneasysunday

Orv · #8 05-10-2011, 01:51 PM

Having done valves on a VW Bus, before, whenever I do a more conventional car I always think, "at least I'm not lying on my back with my head against the rear tire."

Stretch · #9 05-10-2011, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orv

Having done valves on a VW Bus, before, whenever I do a more conventional car I always think, "at least I'm not lying on my back with my head against the rear tire."

Ahhh come on it could have been worse - it could have been raining and dripping down the back of your neck with your head up against that rear tyre...

tbomachines · #10 05-10-2011, 04:56 PM

Its very easy to make your own wrenches, just take a pair of 14mm wrenches, take a blowtorch and combine. Heat up a spot toward the head of the wrench and bend 30*. Takes about 5 minutes and cheap.

vstech · #11 05-10-2011, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbomachines

Its very easy to make your own wrenches, just take a pair of 14mm wrenches, take a blowtorch and combine. Heat up a spot toward the head of the wrench and bend 30*. Takes about 5 minutes and cheap.

yup. very easy.
it's best to grind the face of the lower wrench down to about 3/16" face thickness. also, the angles need to be close to the head on the upper wrench, and slightly wider on the lower wrench, so they can pass inside of each other when adjusting.
there's measurements and angles posted on here somewhere.

BrassMonkey · #12 05-11-2011, 01:18 PM

You dont need the bent wrenches. I just did the VA on my 240D with 1 14mm wrench and a pair of channel locks.

When the valve is tight - hold the hex cover on top of the spring (just under the two nuts) so it doesnt turn. Then - turn the bottom nut counter clockwise. Both nuts will move together as 1 unit.

When the valve is loose - same procedure but turn the top nut clockwise.

There are a couple valves that its really hard to get the channel locks to - but you can figure it out with a little patience.

Stretch · #13 05-11-2011, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrassMonkey

You dont need the bent wrenches. I just did the VA on my 240D with 1 14mm wrench and a pair of channel locks.

When the valve is tight - hold the hex cover on top of the spring (just under the two nuts) so it doesnt turn. Then - turn the bottom nut counter clockwise. Both nuts will move together as 1 unit.

When the valve is loose - same procedure but turn the top nut clockwise.

There are a couple valves that its really hard to get the channel locks to - but you can figure it out with a little patience.

I would be very careful when doing this.

I would not do this.

I would not recommend that anybody tries this particularly if they are not a competent mechanic.

I can not prove this but I guess that some clumsy idiot bust a valve guide in my OM617 head by being too rough - probably using normal unbent 14mm spanners.

OM617 manifold oil = broken valve guide

If you break a valve guide you could be in for an expensive time repairing your mistake.

Here's the horror picture:-

USE BENT SPANNERS!

BrassMonkey · #14 05-11-2011, 01:36 PM

point taken - dont break your car! If you are not confident in what you are doing - its cheaper to pay a professional than it is to damage something.

byronnash · #15 05-11-2011, 04:57 PM

The bent wrenches that vstech made worked fine. I just did my first adjustment over the weekend. I'd say the biggest hassle is getting the cover off and especially back on! The adjustments aren't that hard to do, I can see how you could get the hang of it and knock it out. It took me hours though on the first go around.

How do you keep the gasket in place when putting the cover back on? I wrestled with that sucker forever.