"Experience" with valve clearance adjustment - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 10-09-2002, 10:57 AM

Must pass this on so others don't make the same mistake.

I've been adjusting valve clearances on 220Ds for years. Every 10K mis I'd get out my 2 trusty Hazet adjusting wrenches, put it in 4th, jack up the left rear wheel and check/adjust all 8 valves - no problem. Sometimes they'd be off but not much (great engine that OM615).

Recently I purchased a '69 230/8 with the gas M180. The rocker arm sits on a self-locking ball pin, so I got the Hazet crowsfoot wrench to adjust the clearances. When a valve needed adjusting I turned the ball pivot adjuster to change the clearance. But whenever I made just the slightest turn, the clearance would go way off, mostly showing 0 clearance. Talk about being frustrated. After studying each step I found that, after turning the ball pivot adjuster, PULL THE WRENCH OFF THE ADJUSTER, otherwise the wrench binds the rocker arm, giving a false clearance indication.

Such a simple step done improperly can cause fits. Hope I helped somebody.

skalie · #2 10-09-2002, 12:50 PM

Just curious, what's up with jacking up the left rear wheel, something to do with rotating the engine?

#3 10-09-2002, 02:41 PM

With one of the rear wheels off the ground, you turn the wheel and get the valves lined up to adjust. Makes it pretty easy. I use either that method or jog the engine with a remote starter, depending on what mood I'm in. I don't like using the crankbolt.

Len

skalie · #4 10-09-2002, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sokoloff
I don't like using the crankbolt.

That feeling of the fan scraping a layer of skin off your forearm as you try and figure out if you're rotating the motor the right way or is that sickening "did it go through the radiator?" thud that ones hears when you engage the moter and you've left the socket on the crankbolt?

Thanks for starting this thread Mr Peterson, I learned a good tip that will help me and a lot of my fellow 220D shadetree mechanics.

1967250s · #5 10-09-2002, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Calvin Peterson
Must pass this on so others don't make the same mistake.

I got the Hazet crowsfoot wrench to adjust the clearances. When a valve needed adjusting I turned the ball pivot adjuster to change the clearance. But whenever I made just the slightest turn, the clearance would go way off, mostly showing 0 clearance. Talk about being frustrated. After studying each step I found that, after turning the ball pivot adjuster, PULL THE WRENCH OFF THE ADJUSTER, otherwise the wrench binds the rocker arm, giving a false clearance indication.

Such a simple step done improperly can cause fits. Hope I helped somebody.

Great info....

DAN