Valves adjusted! ACC bypassed!

[driad_98]

Wow, I did the valves on my '80 300D yesterday, what a chore... they were ALL badly tight. I didn't end up needing the bent wrenches, though... I supose they would have saved a bit of time, but when you get used to the feel of the angles, i.e., get some practice, it's not so bad. I totally botched the R&R of the linkages, I think.. I suspect if you remove the circlip on the shaft, that maybe you don't have to remove that wicked awkward bracket with the two hex-headed bolts that attaches to the valve cover...

I saw someone claim to have paid only $60 for a valve adjustment from a shop... does that mean they didn't have to adjust any of the valves, or could I seriously have paid someone a measley $60 to adjust ALL 10 of those suckers?

Also, I bypassed the ACC servo the other day, no more leaks. Still no heat though, not even on defrost... I don't think the aux waterpump is working. Is that a salvage part or do folks reccomend getting a brandy new one?

Hope you're all well!

Ash

$60 is probably about right. A tech can get this job done in less than an hour. Remember they've done it before AND they have the correct tools.

Glad it came out well. Good job!

Have a great day,

[P.E.Haiges]

Driad,

By bypassing the ACC servo you should get you heat. The aux pump is only needed at idle.

Have you checked so see if the heater core is plugged up or possibly has an air block in it.

P E H

[driad_98]

Hmm, "The aux pump is only needed at idle.", eh? Good to know, I suspect then, that the vacuum operated valve on the firewall is closed, as I'm not getting any vacuum to either of the vac lines that went to the bottom of the servo... I connected them together, btw... what about removing the vacuum valve on the firewall all together? Any opinion there?

Larry: Yea, I suspect once I figure out how NOT to disassemble the whole linkage mess, I could do it much faster. I'm looking forward to only having to do one or three adjustments at a time... Or maybe not, my experience with modern engines tells me that the inspection intervals are sometimes much shorter than necessary... do you find that these valves migrate a lot?

Thanks!

Ash

[WANT '71 280SEL]

What size wrenches do I need to adjust the valves?
Thanks
David

[P.E.Haiges]

Driad,

The ACCservo turns inside and besides controlling the water flow, it controls the vacuum to the ACC system. So if the servo doesn't work, many things in the ACC may not work.

I plumbed around my servo and put a valve in the heater hose to control the heat.

The last time measured the valve lash on my 300SD after 25,000 miles, none of the valves needed adjustment. It will be interesting to see how many need adjustment after 50,000 miles. I have another 5000 miles to go so it will be awile yet. I think the 15,000 mile spec on checking the valves is too short for older engines.

Motto of story is to measure the valve clearance before you loosen anything.


P E H

[RockinWagin]

Originally posted by WANT '71 280SEL
What size wrenches do I need to adjust the valves?
Thanks
David

14mm open end wrenches. Unless you use the bent wrenches watch out for rounding off the nuts. OUCH.

I'm ashamed to admit it, but back when I was driving my last 240D 70,000 miles per year, I let it go more than 100,000 miles between adjustment. They weren't too far off when I finally got to it.

As long as you change oil and don't overheat the engine, they shouldn't change much.

Good luck,

[240-diesel]

I did my valve adj 40,000 mi ago and was wondering about this also .
When I bought the car , I had many service records and repair work going back over 10 years from the previous owner, and to my knowledge the valves were probally never adjusted.
I bought it with 223,000 mi on it and after a short time there after I checked all valves and they were all tight .
I am going on the Idea that they were never adj , But I did not notice any starting or running changes after I adjusted them to spec.
So Who Knows How Long they stay within spec ?
Has anyone adjusted and then at say between, 25 , 50 , 75000 miles seen open or closed valves ?