I need help. I just had my 1987 Mercedes 190e 16v 2.3 head rebuilt. The shop that did the work told me that I need to check the Valve Lash. This is my first time working on a mercedes and I don't understand what I need to measure, how I measure, and what is the measurement needed?


I would appreciate any help/

The standard answer is that you have hydraulic lifters and there is no need to adjust clearance.

EXCEPT, when you have cut the valves and seats. This causes the valve stem to protrude farther out the top side (unless the valves are also shortened). There is a MB special tool that measures the installed preload of the hydraulic lifter. The concept is that the hydraulic element has a range of preload where is can function properly. Too compressed and you might not close the valves at all times. Too little compression could cause noise.

__________________
Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

Thank you.

Actually, I just reread your post and saw that it was a 16v engine. They have shims and don't have hydraulics.

__________________
Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

so do i need to adjust the value lash?

Yes you do need to have the valve clearance adjusted!!
THIS isn't a simple job & you will need MANY valve adjusting shims to correct the valve clearance.
MOST shops DON'T have the ability to do this adjustment!!

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

Yes! I'm sorry I jumped the gun, I was thinking the other issue of topping the valves, I slid right by the 16v part.

The dual cam, 4 valve engines are the least sophisticated in their valve adjustment. That means that the engine is built to the adjustment and the point is that there are shims under the cam lobe followers thaty set the valve lash. This should have been done during the assembly of the head. The job, properly done, is done as a part of the valve job as its very possible a valve will have to be topped to use the shim sizes that are available.

If you recieved the head from the machine shop assembled, I would assume that they did this (I would definitely check it). If you gave it to them apart then you will have to do this critical part. If it is already assembled then you need to check your clearnces (if there are any) and calculate the change in shim size, remove the cams and measure the shims, add the difference and order new shims.

__________________
Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician