Hello and thanks for the forum. I'm wondering if most people do their own valve adjustments or do you have someone do it? I have a local mobile Mercedes Tech that will do it for $150.00 for my 240D. Is it worth it to just have him do it? He works on-site which makes it really easy for me. I've read other posts, but am unclear as to whether people do it on their own to save $$$ or if it's that easy!

Thanking you in advance!

BenzLover

 

If you've never done a valve adjustment before, $150. is more than worth it to pay someone else to do it for you (assuming he does it correctly and guarantees his work).

 

The valve adjustment is easy after you have done it a few times. Ask the mechanic if you can watch and learn. Some mechanics are ok with that especially if they come to you.
Have a look at this write up
http://www.dieselgiant.com/valveadjustment.htm

 

The site given by Phil is very good and will let you decide what you want to do. I have fun working on mine, but if it's not done I just drive my truck. Bought my Benz to save money, and due it in style.

87 300D 215K

 

I would recommend the "special wrenches" for thew job. Not absolutely necessary, but sure makes it easier. I made my own for about 8 bucks, I bought two cheap wrenches and heated them up and bent them, then welded some bars on for leverage.

 

I do my own work because I enjoy, as well as saving a big bill at the MB dealer. A good repair manuel and it should be pretty simple, but again I am not a MB mechanic (Not a mechanic at all by training, just as a hobby) The Mercedes factory engine book is somewhat worthless though, and I'm looking for one thats better than either chilton or Haynes.
Anyone out there have recommendations which manuel is the best.? Come to think of it, there is not a valve adj. section in the book at all to my knowledge.

 

what size are the wrenches needed for the adj. i am going to do the first adj. on mine soon and would like to go buy some cheap ones so once i crack open the cover i can bend them then and not have to go get some.
thanks.

 

14 MM wrenches. Two of them. When you bend them, bend the wrench opening opposite, like a right and a left facing opening.

 

These are the valve adjusting wrenches that I made a while back and have been useing for 3 years. The third wrench I mad by cutting off a 1/4" piece of a 30mm socket and brazing it to flat stock and then cutting a 20mm wide slot in the end. The two 14mm wrenches are made by cutting off the end of two wrenches and bending then brazing to flat stock. The big thing on making the two 14mm wrenches is that you want them to nest so the upper one can pass over the lower one when turning them. The Hazet valve adjusting wrenchs are 6.2 mm thick so some grinding might be required depending on what wrenches you chose to work with.

 

wow great info phil. sounds like you've got the home shop to a science.
i am confused as to what the 30 wrench is for. is that needed forvalve adj. as well. because i haven't seen that used in any diagrams of the process. (i have yet to do mine)