1985 380SL- Do we need periodic valve adjustments?
 

Just curious...thanks in advance.

AFAIK, NO ADJUSTMENTS ARE NEEDED.

No adjustment, but shimming sometimes
 

The valves have hydraulic "lifters" that have a specific amount of travel. Sometimes there is wear on a rocker arm or the "shim" gets cupped and the gap exceedes the travel of the "lifter". Then they make a tapping noise. In such a case the 'lifters" need to be re-shimmed to set a base position.

Thanks Steve.

My car is making a tapping sound. I'm also due for an oil change. I'm hoping that fresh oil will quiet it a bit.

I was told that you can run 1 qt of ATF for a few hundred miles prior to the oil change and that might help. Personally, I would be afraid to do it. If it's tapping, oil change will probably not change anything. You need to have your lifter(s) shimmed. I am going to do this job within a couple of months.

Steve, Could you document the procedure with pics? I'm sure many here would be thankful.

Okay, I will.
 

I always want to document but usually get into it and don't want to stop in the middle. This one, I will.