First valve job - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

maxru · #1 09-27-2013, 07:27 PM

After reading every thread I could find about DIY valve adjustment, I decided to finally tackle it.
Initially I figured I'd make my own bent wrenches, but couldn't fine any cheap ones around here. So I figured, how bad can it be using straight ones?

Well, 3 hours and lots of cursing later I finally finished the job. Next time I will use bent wrenches, fact!!!

Car idles much smoother, 4 out 5 exhaust valves were tight, three intake ones were loose.

Now, since I have to drive to the auto shop on base, I initially went with the warm settings, and two hours later finished with the cold ones, once i could comfortably touch all the parts in the engine.
Any negatives by doing that?

Car drove great on the way home!

Big thanks to this forum for all the archived knowledge!!

Anyone in North Carolina want to sell me a set of bent wrenches?

ImBroke · #2 09-27-2013, 08:28 PM

I bent a cheap one, and for the other one I use a Snap On valve wrench, it's much thinner.

Quahog · #3 09-27-2013, 09:03 PM

3 hours is good. Took me 4+ hours the first time w/straight wrenches, but it was also Saturday and there was beer...
It would be worth the trouble to put a torch to a couple of cheap wrenches to bend 'em up & save some time. Would still drink the same, I figure.

maxru · #4 09-27-2013, 09:16 PM

Heh, there was beer as soon as I was done. To celebrate:-)

I've been trying to find some cheap wrenches, but typical auto parts stores here either have full sets or expensive single ones.

ROLLGUY · #5 09-27-2013, 11:03 PM

It is easy to do with straight wrenches if you remove the injection lines. The extra time used by removing/replacing the lines is saved by the faster/easier job adjusting.