Valve adjustment technique ??? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

samiam4 · #16 08-09-2003, 12:45 PM

Angel- Did they answer your question?

I think valve adjustment is pretty easy-but I think I know what is making it hard for you.

WHen you break the locking nut loose on the adjuster, you've changed the gap. If you set the adjuster with the feeler gauge when the lock-nut is loose and then tighen- it will be different.

Some just play with it until it's right. I first measure the clearance. Then decide if it needs to be smaller or larger. Make sure the camshaft lobe is perpendicular to the lift contact(which is not facing directly up- should be toward the oil rail). Then using two wrenches, I hold one and move the other slightly to loosen it slightly-not making it loose. THen hold that wrench firm and move the opposite wrench. Ussually, it doeesn't require much(15-30 degrees).
I ussually use a new gasket- it's only $7, and I hate leaks. Over kill maybe, but if I'm doing a prefilter, oil change and valve adjust for a tuneup- I'm spending only about $35.

Michael

Angel · #17 08-10-2003, 09:15 PM

I think I'm doing okay.
I got the valve cover back together, and have run the engine (long idling in the driveway to fill transmission and a trip around the block to find all the OTHER things that still need work (driveshaft w/ broken boot might be salvageable, for my purposes- see note), brakes are soft and are grinding on somehting....transmission really wants its vacuum sorted out (flaring on the 1-2 shift ? or something...gonna do some more testing this week)

But the valves were fine, I appreciate y'alls input. I do have a new valve cover gasket, which I'll slap on as soon as I have the cover off again. I think I was just 'thinking too much' and trying to compare the 14mm MB nuts with my motorcycle's 8mm nuts (one is easier to fine tune than the other.

note: yes, I realized that best mechanical practice is to replace a half shaft or joint in question if the boot is discovered broken and the vehicle was driven like this (dirt in joint, etc...). but for my budget and purposes, a new joint/shaft is not in the plans right now- if it starts clunking I'll give it more thought.

Thank you all -John

BoostnBenz · #18 08-10-2003, 10:14 PM

Are you going to do a split boot or are you going to take it all apart and redo it? If there is ANY play at all perpendicular to the shaft when on the ground, don't even bother. If not when you open the cans up you'll see if you have bad wear or not.