Vavle adjustment... Valves too loose? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

fender_bender · #1 06-20-2013, 09:18 AM

I did my first vavle adjustment. This was on the 85 wagon. Things went... ok, lol.

Dang valve cover gasket was fighting me pretty hard. I got all my valves adjusted, put everything back together. I went to clean my tools like a good boy and while wiping the oil off of my feeler gauges (my gauges seperated from the holder thing and all the gauges are loose) I discovered that my .004 (.102mm) gauge had a .005 (.127mm I think) gauge stuck to the back of it!

So my question is did I set all of my intake valves too loose to the point where it could cause a problem? I did some google searching and only found "err on the side of loose", but double the clearance is a bit much isn't it? Although I doubled almost "non-existant" thin. Any thoughts?

Seems to be running ok. Sounds and feels different. The valves were pretty tight. I figured they would be because when I asked the PO about valve adjustments his response was, "Uhhh......... wat?"

psaboic · #2 06-20-2013, 09:23 AM

Should be ok as they tend to tighten back up over time. How does it sound? Does it sound like the valves are clattering? If so, then I would re-do them. Otherwise they should be ok. If you are really worried about it, take the valve cover off and re-do them. And yes, that valve cover gasket can be a bear. Keep your eye out for leaks. I have never been able to get one back on totally leak free without a dab of gasket sealer on the corners.....

fender_bender · #3 06-20-2013, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psaboic

Should be ok as they tend to tighten back up over time. How does it sound? Does it sound like the valves are clattering? If so, then I would re-do them. Otherwise they should be ok. If you are really worried about it, take the valve cover off and re-do them. And yes, that valve cover gasket can be a bear. Keep your eye out for leaks. I have never been able to get one back on totally leak free without a dab of gasket sealer on the corners.....

No it sounds more... puffy? Sounds totally different than my sedan (which I haven't adjusted yet). The sedan doesn't have hood insulation either. I figure valve clatter would sound metallic, but I didn't notice anything like that at 11:35pm when I finally finished the darn thing. I plugged the EGR vac lines, put in a new primer pump and... oh! this would be why it sounds so different... I put in new air cleaner fasteners since it was only held on by the U-boot and I took this out of the air cleaner. Forgot about that part.

toomany MBZ · #4 06-20-2013, 09:54 AM

I thought that part in the air cleaner housing was a Euro only option, lol.

Yeah, adjust 'em again.

I use a bit of grease on the cover to hold the gasket in place during reinstallation, the hardest part of a valve adjustment!

barry12345 · #5 06-20-2013, 09:55 AM

Acadamic anyways in your case. When valve adjustment has been let go for far too long . After a weeks running go in and recheck them.

When they were tight some carbon might have built up on the seats over a long period and it can get pounded off them now requiring a recheck.

You never want to hang a valve. This can be a requirement for several adjustment rechecks. If for example the valves where never adjusted for say 100k.

A check at least is an every fifteen thousand mile requirement by the manufacturer. Many previous owners were not even aware the valves are the mechanical adjustable type.

fender_bender · #6 06-20-2013, 10:07 AM

I'm taking this thing to Indiana tonight for Sweetwaters Gearfest. Think it could wait until I got back Sunday? It's about a 6 hour drive. My wife just now texted me and said how great the car is running. Her first time driving it after adjustment.

rscurtis · #7 06-20-2013, 10:29 AM

What is that sheet metal screw laying in the bottom of the filter housing?

Phillytwotank · #8 06-20-2013, 11:21 AM

I would definitely adjust them again. You could missing out on power because the valve isn't opening enough to let proper air in and proper exaust out.

Two things:

Your second valve adjustment will be way easier than your first. You'll just be more familiar and more comfortable.

Your new VC gasket will still be fresh enough to take off and put back on without any problems.

vstech · #9 06-20-2013, 10:24 PM

if they were all tight, I'd go ahead and drive it for 100 or so miles first. chances are good that they will be tight again, even though you set them very loose.