Anyone in Los Angeles doing a valve adjustment soon where i can watch? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

wilburtual · #1 11-13-2010, 05:26 PM

only had my 240D's a month now, so am learning how to get them going better... i think i can handle a valve adjustment from the posts ive found and the tutorial on dieselgiant.. but, i figured i'd ask to see if anyone in los angeles is gonna be doing one and wouldn't mind me watching so i get the hang of it the first time...?

W124 E300D · #2 11-13-2010, 05:32 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kRpBbDtS5g&feature=related

close enough

in fact they have 82 vids, all extremely good for the basics.

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=MossMotorsCom#g/u

Fattyman · #3 11-13-2010, 05:47 PM

Where in LA are you?
You can PM me.

layback40 · #4 11-13-2010, 07:02 PM

Best you take a case of beer if you are going to watch some one. That is the minimum cost of learning !!

wilburtual · #5 11-13-2010, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by layback40

Best you take a case of beer if you are going to watch some one. That is the minimum cost of learning !!

of course!

W124 E300D- thanks for the link - i am still gonna need the bent wrenches to get in there? it seemed quite convenient for him with a normal wrench but he also has the engine on a table..\

layback40 · #6 11-14-2010, 02:10 AM

I have done the valves too many times to remember with just plain wrenches. Its not that bad. There are plenty of other wrench jobs that are harder.

Stretch · #7 11-14-2010, 03:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by layback40

I have done the valves too many times to remember with just plain wrenches. Its not that bad. There are plenty of other wrench jobs that are harder.

Ah ha - there had to be a first time - and this is it!

I disagree with layback40 (who in my opinion normally gives out very good advice!):- I think you need to know what you are doing if you try and adjust valves with normal spanners. Although I can't prove it, I think damage to my OM617 head was done by someone being too rough during a valve adjustment (and knowing what I know about the Mercedes expert from whom I bought the car I expect the idiot used normal spanners)

See:-

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=276144 (page 3)

I also think it is much much better in the context of this thread to recommend a set of bent spanners as I think the user would need some experience before tackling this job without the recommended tools.

If you are stuck for the correct tools this forum has a tool rental scheme.

See also this recently updated thread:-

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=107729

layback40 · #8 11-14-2010, 03:24 AM

I concede that you are probably right Army. Its just that I have never used the proper spanners. Maybe if I tried to use them I would mess it up !!
I do like my 250TD with a 602 motor, no valve adjustment !! Yay !!

Stretch · #9 11-14-2010, 03:34 AM

I've read several posts on this forum that recommend heating and bending your own set of spanners if you don't want to pay for the Hazet set (and I don't blame anyone for that!).

You may also need to grind the thickness of the spanner down a bit so you can turn the adjusting nuts individually without catching the nut next to it.

I opted to buy a second hand set of wrenches. The full set comes with 3 spanners.

JiveTurkey · #10 11-14-2010, 09:17 AM

I think you should use the proper bent wrenches. Theres a forum member Doc (in Tucson) who made mine for me. Price was fair and they work great!

On the subject of "possible damage being done." Some incompetent dick somewhere ****ed the adjustment nut on my number 1 Exhaust and number 5 intake valves at some time in the past before I got the car. I ground a 14mm spanner to accept the odd shape of those nuts and bent it so it would fit.

One thing to note for your first valve adjustment that I don't think dieselgiant mentions.
If the huge (30mm I think) flat nut on the valve spring is turning when you're loosening the lock nut (bottom nut if you're doing it factory way) you're not actually accomplishing anything. You'll need to find a way to keep it from turning while you make your adjustments.

tangofox007 · #11 11-14-2010, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JiveTurkey

One thing to note for your first valve adjustment that I don't think dieselgiant mentions.
If the huge (30mm I think) flat nut on the valve spring is turning when you're loosening the lock nut (bottom nut if you're doing it factory way) you're not actually accomplishing anything. You'll need to find a way to keep it from turning while you make your adjustments.

That sounds like an overwhelming recommendation for the Hazet wrench set.