Even so, the valve adjustment is still fragile. Maybe I'm just a klutz, but I've had a diesel Mercedes since 1976 and adjusting the valves has always been a challenge to get them just right. On some of them I will get the feeler gauge just where I want it, then I will very slowly tighten down the nuts and re-check only to find the damn thing changed, some I end up doing several times to get it just right. It's a easy job(except on turbos ,seems like one valve was a real pain) just takes a lot of patience. I would bet never using Nate's "stepped" feeler gauge, that it would make the job easier. Max P.S. going down next Thursday
--- In diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com, audiolaw@... wrote:
>
> Bill,
>
> I think that Nate, and probably others, posted responses telling you
> that the valve adjust is the FIRST task on these engines. You said "I'll
> get around to it, after doing other stuff that I consider important."
>
> Perhaps there are lessons here:
>
> 1) For other newbies to these engines, the valve adjustment is an
> important, priority task;
>
> 2) For all of us, there are plenty of people here who really KNOW what
> needs to be done. Their advice is important and valuable.
>
> As to the sensitivity of the adjustment nuts - there are specialty
> tools for this, which are essentially wrenches that have been bent to fit the
> odd spaces. Some people here have made their own, out of regular wrenches.
> Such wrenches make the job easier, including holding the nuts in place as
> they are tightened.
>
> Tom
>
>
>
> In a message dated 6/8/2012 5:12:53 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,
> wmcowart@... writes:
>
>
>
>
> For those that do not remember orgi8nal post. An 83 300SD missing at start,
> miss until the temperature wen to 80 C then ran normal. It could have been
> growth in the fuel tan , or valves, different metal expansion rates. I put
> in some marine bactrial , helped but did not cure the problem.
> I finaly got to the valves, 7 of them so tight , Actualy metal to metal
> between the cam shaft and the push rod. Adjusted and no more miss on start
> up. The adjustment nuts on this engine are beyond senstive, when you lock
> them together. Makes it tought to get them right on the money.
> I was impressed with the general appearance of the top of the head, valve
> cover and cam lobs. Actual it was spotless clean. Most vechiles this age,
> that have not been overhauld, would be full of crude. Regular oil and filter
> changes does make a difference. Bill C
>
