Hello guys,
I have an '84 300D and performed a valve adjustment and found the camshaft nut about 3 full turns loose. Do you think that explains the scratches on the inside of my valve cover in-line with the camshaft bearing mounts? Before I did the valve adjustment (or I should say checked the valves, because they were all dead on: 35mm exhaust, 10mm intake) at cold start it sounded like rocks were in the engine. Is the loost camshaft bolt typical with the mercedes? I had an '81 300d and the camshaft bolt on it was never loose. Any advice or information would greatly be appreciated.

I've never seen one come loose by itself. I wonder if someone previously used that to turn the engine over during a valve adjustment.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. Maybe he went counterclockwise instead of clockwise huh? Do you think that explains the scratches inside the valve cover?