Tomorrow morning, I intend to adjust the valves on my '80 300SD. This will be my first such endeavor, and I have a couple of questions for the experts.

I intend to remove the entire accelerator linkage, after marking all the connections and links. Any handy-dandy tips would be helpful. I also plan on removing the injector lines, so they'll be out of the way, and this is the only thing that makes me a little nervous. Are there "O" rings at the pump and injector ends of the lines that I will need to replace? If so, what size "O" rings should I ask for at the parts counter at NAPA? How tight should I tighten the bolts on the valve cover after I've finished; snug, hand-tight, or tight-tight?

TIA

__________________
1980 300SD 146K miles.

Don't remove the entire linkage assembly, just undo the ones that attach to the valve cover. I would leave the injector lines in place too - you can easily adjust the valves without removing them.

Do you have the bent wrenches?

I like to remove the injector lines. Takes 10 minutes, maximum, and they are out of the way.

They don't use any o-rings. Just a tapered seat. Make sure you start the nuts by hand. If they won't make a full turn by hand, then force the tubes until they bend and the nut is properly lined up. The worst thing is to force it with a wrench.

For the valve cover, the proper torque of 11 ft.-lb. is rather critical to properly seal the gasket. If you are too loose, the gasket leaks. If you are too tight, you bend the valve cover and the gasket leaks.

I do have the bent wrenches. Since this is my first attempt at this service, I intend to remove the injector lines so that I'll have a clearer path to the head. After I've done this a few times, I should know which shortcuts to take.

Thanks to you and Brian for the quick responses.

__________________
1980 300SD 146K miles.

You do know how to "pop" the ball joints on the throttle linkage, right??

I've never had to remove the injector lines on my 240D to do a valve adjustment. Proper fluid to lube the ball sockets of the linkage is ATF.

Len

It is an easy job to do. Heres how.

http://dieselgiant.com/valveadjustment.htm

__________________
1981 300D 147k
1998 VW Jetta Tdi 320k
2001 Dodge Ram 2500 141k
1979 300D 234k (sold)
1984 300D "Astor" 262k(sold)
Mercedes How-To and Repair Pictorials
I love the smell of diesel smoke in my hair