Valve clearance adjustment need help
 

It's an 86 2.3-16V. The valve clearance needs to be adjusted. I got the cam shafts off but the tappets( valve hats ). I have no idea how to remove these tappets order to get to the shims to install new shims.

Could anyone shed me some light, is there a tool that I need to have for this job? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Alex

Those "buckets" as they're called, can be pulled out using a strong magnet.

Gilly

In the M116 world, we call them hockey pucks.

ask and you shall receive.. Thank you
 

So, there's nothing holding it back... No screws? Just a magnet will do heh.. I will try this method. Thank you for the response. I love this site.
Alex

Yeah, the camshaft holds it back;)

Gilly

Chuck, I'm not familiar with the 116 motor using a bucket and shim setup like the 16 valve motor in the 190E 2.3-16. This is a pretty unusual setup for a Mercedes, uses a Cosworth head.
It's similar to how the valves are adjusted on my BMW K75 cycle, except the BMW has a special tool that compresses the bucket, but still allows the shim to be removed. With the 16 valve, you need to measure your clearances, take note of which are out of spec, then take out the cams to pull the buckets, see which shim is in place and figure out which shim to install to get the correct clearance. On the maintenance sheet, they call for adjsutment every 30,000 miles, but if an adjustment is needed, then a seperate ticket is writen up. Cha-ching!

Gilly

Mercedes is tough
 

It has been over 80k miles since I last checked the valve clearance on this car, I guess I'm pushing my luck here, but the point is Mercedes made one hell of an engine, This 16V has given me lots of joys.
Though, I wish this car has hydrolic lifter so you don't have to mess with this intensive valve adjustment procedure.
Alex

One more question. Can I have more than one shim in there as long as they are the right size?
Alex

I'd have to fire up the service manual again, I think it said there are something like 30 different thickness shims available. I can't see where it would harm anything if you used 2.

Gilly

MB suggests that you remove the "buckets" with a suction cup AS a magnet can leave small metal particals that can cause damage.

Never try to stack shims!!

Gilly -

It's a little simpler with the 116's. You measure the clearance, and if it's off, compress the spring, pull the rocker, remove the puck, measure the thickness, and go thicker or thinner as needed. Repeat 15 more times.

The "clearance" is actually the pre-load of the hydraulic element in the ball stud.

Thank you
 

Thanks MBDOC and GILLY,

Great advices from you all. I'm sure that I will find the right shim for each bucket.
Very good advice with the suction cup. Thank you again.

Alex