Can I remove the cam without messing up the head gasket?
 

Can I remove the cam without messing up the head gasket?

I want to install some valve stem seals, and get the adjusters to work ( they appear to be frozen solid. I can turn them with a socket , but need the springs and rockers out of the way)

Anyone had any success with removing the cam, then putting it back on and retorqueing the cam (head) bolts?

Shouldn't have any trouble, that is the factory method.

Peter

Why do you need to remove the cam?

Re: Can I remove the cam without messing up the head gasket?
 

Which engine are you working on? On the m130 teh new ballstuds I installed were so stiff that I had to adjust them without the rockers springs on and getting those off did not require removing the camshaft.

Not necessary to remove cam in order to replace valve stem seals. Question: just how are you trying to adjust the valve clearance? Valves are threaded, and adjuster is secured with a double nut locking provision, are you sure you have the lock nut backed off? Original question, yes you can replace cam without replacing head gasget, not necessary to remove head at all, and removing cam towers will not effect gasget seal.

Turbo 240

It depends on which engine he's working on because the M130 is self locking so you only have to adjust the one nut and they can be really really tight.

Also if he is working on the M130 I guess you could use the home made valve spring compressor tool described in the Haynes manual and I think you would have to remove the camshaft to use it otherwise I think you need the camshaft for leverage if you are using the correct and expensive tool.

http://www.technictool.com/mercedes%20valve%20spring.htm

Turbo 240,
Gmask is correct. This is a different system than the OM616.

My engine is called a 108 (which is a coincidence that it is IN a W108...).
This 108 is virtually identical in design to the 130, except it is the earlier model and has four main bearings instead of the later 7 main bearings.

(Incidently, my buddys 130 engine is actually smoother than mine, and they are both relatively fresh engines.)

The adjusters are definetely a weak point here and are a royal PITA !!!
...and thanks gmask, I will see if I can remove the rockers one by one to try and get a shot at the nut.
There is just something funny about removing a bunch of head bolts, then putting them back in, ...I dunno, perhaps it's okay...
...jus doan seem natch-ral...

250S ENGINE INFO 108
 

gmask, do you have a scan of that home made valve tool?
I have to change the seals on mine as well.

Dan

I'll try to get the specs for the homemade valve compressor .. it's basically a piece of 3/4 square bar stock with a stock cut in one end to hook onto the head of the ballstud and then a hoel cut ou tof the other end to compress the spring. In the Hanyes manul I thinkt hey refer to it as a headoff application but if you took the camshaft off you could use it for that.

To take the camshaft off you are only undoing the bolts on the camtower so the seal should be good. I would not looosen all the bolts at the same time though but isn't neccessary in this case.


Removing the rockers is pretty easy but having to take them off and put them back on to measure the clearance isn't. YOu can lever them off with a wrench and sometimes a screwdriver.. getting the ones towards the back are frustrating but I have done it ..took me couple of hours to adjust the clearnace this way but it worked. it's good workout to be sure.

Once the ball stud gets loosened up with the socket, it seems adjustable.
So this is the plan.
Take off the cam, take off all the rockers, run the ball studs back and forth to loosen, tighten the ball studs all the way down, re-install, then adjust. Whew.
Oops, forgot to do the seals!

Question; Could I take the ball studs apart? and the grease with copper anti-seize, then re-install?

How are you planning to compress the valve springs in order to replace the seals? Do you have the spring compressor or are you planning to make one of the homemade tools?