Valve Adjustment Tools

[Zoonhollis]

I tried to adjust the valves on my 300D over the weekend, but it was only an exercise in futility. I had the two 14mm wrenches bent properly, but holding the large collar nut in place was virtually impossible. What does one use for this? A crescent wrench is out of the question, and channel-locks get just close enough to make me want to punch my head in utter frustration. I considered removing the fuel injectors, but declined for lack of time. Do I need to order a special wrench for this?

I found that most every exhaust valve was too tight, but the intakes were fine.

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Matt
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Grey/black '84 300D, 197K

Matt,

You need the 3-wrench set to do this without killing yourself or driving yourself crazy.

Try IMPCO at http://************************

I bought my set from them for $61 and they are worth every penny. Part #58-006. They make the job sooooo simple. Watch out for the rear adjusments.... even with the wrenches, it is a little tight.

Good luck,

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William
76 240D (W115) - 555K miles
78 300D (W123) - 200K+ miles -- SOLD

[Zoonhollis]

Thanks, Bill. I'll give them a try.

Fellow Gopher,

I hope Bill is not offended by my saying this, but you can get the job done without the large third wrench without too much trouble. The retainer wrench is handy, but you can cut and try a little with the two bent wrenches and get them dialed in without too much trouble.

If your wrenches are bent so that they clear the injectors okay, you should be able to move the adjustment a little, lock and check. If you need to adjust some more, just unlock and tweak it a little in the desired direction.

In the course of trying to get my daughters car going this week I adjusted the valves and didn't even mess with the third wrench. It's handy, but you can get it done.

Good luck,

------------------
Larry Bible
'01 C Class, Six Speed
'84 Euro 240D, manual, 533K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
'81 300D Daughter's Car
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles

Larry,
Not offended at all.....
Yes, I agree it can be done without the big wrench, but the big one does come in handy. As I have often found, the wrench you need is the wrench you don't have....

[Ashman]

Saw on E-bay some valve adjustment wrenches and spring compressor for the valves.

Hope that helps,

Alon

[shoe]

You know that part's shop sell's those wrenches!! And they do make it easier.

[be459]

When is the large wrench needed? Here is my theory (never happen to me since I have the big wrench): The reason that you need the big wrench is to prevent the valve stem from turning while you are turning the small lock nut. If for some reasons, the small lock nut gets stuck to the valve stem, you loose the cap nut okay but you cannot move the small lock nut up or down for adjustment.

David

I just got though getting my daughter's 300D back together after having the head off and to the machine shop. I did use the big wrench because the locknut was "stuck" against the retainer. The big wrench was handy for that. But for a normal adjustment, I find myself much of the time using one of the bent wrenches and a 14MM open end on the locknut.

Good luck,

after taking my 77 240d cylinder head to the machine shop to get reseated etc (hopefully thats all that will need to be done!) i will need to adjust the valves after reinstalation. can someone tell me exactly what tools i will need, where to get them, and exactly how to do this job? thanks so much guys
william gum
wrgum@juno.com

[be459]

William,

The PartsShop should have the wrenches as well as IMPCO stated by WmHarlow above. The dealer too can order the wrenches for you. The set consists of two 14 mm open end wrenches and one big retainer wrench which is the topic of this discussion. You can buy the wrenches separately.

Reading Larry's posts, I now realize that I could save 5 to 10 minutes by using the big wrench only when it is needed. I was going by the book using the big wrench on each valve.

Thank you, Larry.

David