Valve adjustment - best/cheapest tools for the job (240D)
 

First off, this is my first post on peachparts and I've been perusing off and on since I bought my '82 240D in June. I must say, this is a great forum--thank you for being here!

I want to adjust the valves on the 240, but have heard mixed opinions about what tools to use. My big thing is price--some of the old posts on here speak about the Hazet wrenches costing about $55, now they're up to $130 on ebay, which I'd rather not have to save for to afford. I'm a complete rookie on anything mechanical, but I'm here to learn.

So, is there a cheaper source to purchasing these wrenches, or a better wrench out there for the job, or do I have to bite the bullet for a headache-free experience? Any feedback is much appreciated.

use 2 normal 14mm straight wrenches, i always have unless i had a set of bent ones around.

The Hazet wrenches offer you the ease of doing the job, but the job can be done without them. You can do it with straight wrenchs, it just involves more time and effort. IIRC, removing the hard fuel lines from the IP to the injectors will do you a world of good if you are attempting the adjustment with straight wrenches (but again, you may be able to do it without removing the hard lines). One pieces of advice as you start taking things apart . . . take a couple pictures first if this your first time taking the valve cover (and various attached components) off. Undo as little as necessary so that you can just move the valve cover out of the way.

I've adjusted my sd using regular open end wrenches until a member her made me a set. I left the hard lines attached. You could bend your own look for the maker.

I've got a set of the proper three HAZET wrenches available for $85. shipped to your door in about 3 days if you decide to invest for the long term! Just PM me if that will work for you, good luck with your car and the valve adjustment either way you decide.

The reason for the bent wrenches, is to work around the hard lines. having adjusted the valves a number of times, I really can`t see how to get straight wrenches in to turn the nuts.

I have a set of the hazet wrenches I bought off e-bay a few yrs ago for $58. there were a total of 5 MB tools for the price.

If you make a set, you might have to grind the head down to make it thin enough to fit.

If you remove the hard lines, they are 17mm nuts on each end. but you will have to bleed these lines. tighten them on the IP, leave them a little loose on the injector end. have someone turn the engine over, and as you see fuel leaking at the nut, tighten it. by the time you have 3 tightened it will try to start,then tighten the last 2.

X2 on taking pictures before removing anything.

Charlie

If you use regular wrenches you may need to grind one thinner.
Hazet Valve Wrench Head thickness = 0.242 so 1/4 inch ought to work.
You might be able to find some wrenches that are already that thin. Also the wrenches do not need to be a high quality as the Nuts on the Valves are not tightend down hard.

If you know someone who has a Belt Sander it works better than an grinder to thin Wrenches.

If you remove the Fuel Injection Hard Lines you will need to know how to bleed the Air out of therm:
DIY Repair Links
DIY Links by Parts Category - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum

PeachPartsWiki: Do It Yourself Articles - Mercedes Vehicles

Find some cheap thin bicycle wrenches and make your own:

Restoring "Marlene Diederich": My Mercedes Diesel Rebuild: Making A Pair of Homemade Valve Wrenches

Search valve wrenches in this forum.... There are several guys who make decent items and sell them at reasonable prices, if you don't want to make your own.

Maybe see if there's someone local in St Louis who has a set you can borrow or who'll assist with the valves. As a self-described "rookie on anything mechanical" another set of eyes on the engine and car wouldn't hurt for your first adjustment.

The right wrenches are great, but there are alternatives.

I don't know how to search for locations, so maybe just a post in DD looking for an assist in St Louis. Spring for lunch, bring over a 6-pack, barter...

priced right
 

I have a set of Wright, 14mm bent valve wrenches, made here in the USA. bought them years ago when I acquired the 300SD, used them once. $50 and they are yours.

Jim

Advance auto parts, under the counter, next to the candy. Cheap set of 5 metric wrenches from india, buy two @ $3.99 ea. or so. I think I found the heads to be thin enough. Otherwise, scrounge the tool crib at your local flea market, and file/sand/grind to thickness.

YMMV on the following, heavy COTTON clothing and leather work gloves are useful here. Avoid open-toed and plastic shoes as well. Don't be the guy that they say 'Don't be this guy' about in shop class.

Plan what they will look like- two nested wrenches, bent at about 70 degrees, then back. You have to clear the studs that stick out of the head. IIRC, about 2-3". An accurate sketch of your intended shape will be a useful template.

1. Skip preheat if you have an acetylene torch. Clamp 14 mm in middle w/ vise grips, Preheat open end till it glows (I used a torpedo heater, a hot bed of charcoal would work too, especially if fed w/ air from your hair dryer or other blower).

2. Clamp open end in vise. Spot heat junction between the head of the wrench and the shaft w/ acetylene or blow torch. You'll be here a while if all you have is a blow torch and no preheat.
3. When you have a band of cherry red to orange across the shaft, put your torch safely away, and bend the wrench with your vise grips, use gusto as required. Do not use gusto to the point that you lose your balance and stumble in to your glowing masterpiece.
4. Compare to template, adjust as required.
5. Quench and set aside, I dipped it in some motor oil. Water quench will probably make it brittle (not good).
6. Repeat for the other 3 bends, comparing to sketch. Remember to offset your bends so they nest properly.
7. Sit back and wait for the Real men of genius ad production crew.

17mm open end wrench is not so easy to find by itself, I have a couple, flea market & garage sale finds.

Otherwise, the unspeakable site sells a set for around $20, I think.

I got lost and thought you were referring to the valve adjustment :D

first off, WELCOME to the forum!
next, if you don't have access to a grinder and a torch, I've loaned my set out a few times and had no complaints.

most of the bent wrenches I've seen have handles welded onto them. mine do not. just a set of cheap long handle wrenches that are bent as close as possible for adjusting the valves.

in addition to the two bent wrenches, many sets include a third wrench to hold the valvespring retainer still. jamming a screwdriver against them have worked for every job I've done if any turn, and mostly they do not.

of course our own peachparts fastlane also sells OE wrenches...
Mercedes Special Tools

I bent my own with a pair of long handle wrenches for the local NAPA. Must have taken me a good 15 minutes to get them bent and ground. I've never been shy about custom bending wrenches.