I am doing my fourth valve adjustment on the 300TD, since buying in 2 years ago.. two questions:

Is there any way to get the valve cover off with out peeling the valve cover gasket off at the same time??

how do you turn the engine over? I am using a 1 1/16 socket on a 3 inch extention, but I end up having to be on the ground under the radiator to get my hand in there, and this car does not even have a fan shroud... What do you do that works better than my present plan?

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46 WDX Power Wagon

84 300TDT daily driver

Well, for starters, instead of that rachet, try a longer 22mm open end wrench. Use a pipe if you have to.

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1989 300E 144K

I would guess no on the gasket. I turned the engine over by turning the power steering pump. People will tell you this will cause problems if you ever need to get the pulley off because the pump has a tapered shaft on it and this will over tighten it. I don't feel I tightened it all that much more though and it sure made turning the engine over easy.

1. use a remote starter on the distribution block on the right fender to jump power to the starter to bump it between valves

or

2. Use a 22mm wrench on the nut on the power steering pulley nut if your belts are good that is...

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1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350

I usually replace the gasket @ valve adjustments. They are cheap. You could try putting high temp grease or anti-seize paste around the contact points on the gasket. Someone else please chime in if this isn't a good idea. When you do your valves, are they very far from spec? Twice a year seems like overkill to me.

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1989 300E 144K

It was overkill, as they were all ok.. But it had been 15,000, and winter is gonna hit here sometime.. then I need all the systems up to snuff..

I like the idea of the PS belt.. will do that next time....

thanks,
J

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46 WDX Power Wagon

84 300TDT daily driver

I heard someone express concern about possibly over tightening the PS pump pulley bolt by using it to turn over the engine, as well as hearing concern about possibly breaking the PS tension adjustment bolt.

Those being mentioned though, I ended up using the PS pump bolt to do my valve adjustment.
The only thing I'm really concerned about is that I may have tightned the bolt further than smart, but that will be a problem next time I have to pull the pulley, so I'm not worrying much about it at this point in time.

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-Josh
Testing the cheap Mercedes axiom, one bolt at a time...

W123. Adjusting Valves the easy way. Advise from a Mercedes master to an apprentice

I use the power steering pump bolt to turn the engine. slow and steady pressure to turn it not a large amount of force all at once.

Dave

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1970 220D, owned 1980-1990
1980 240D, owned 1990-1992
1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993
1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004
1999 E300, owned 1999-2003
1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD
1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995
1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons)
1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004
2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver
1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold)
2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car

The gasket can be the biggest problem, I use a new one, need it or not. I was considering attaching it to the cover with goop of some kind. I also use a remote, or "bump" starter affair, available at most local auto part stores. Makes things eaiser. When changing "V" belts, the starter comes in handy as well, eye hand coordination is helpful.

I have a remote starter switch, it works great.
in years past, I have installed all my gaskets by gluing them to the valve cover and putting a very thin layer of wheel bearing grease on the motor side of the gasket. it has worked for me. then again, I have never changed the valve cover gasket on a MB diesel yet... so I guess it's worth a try, but like has been said, the gasket is pretty cheap. I never really did it to try and preserve the gasket, it just makes it easier to clean the gasket off the VC(or the Water pump, etc...)
, rather than the head.
John

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

I use the fan to turn mine over. Both have solid mounted 240D fans.

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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

Remote starter is maybe $15...

A VC gasket should be no more than $6.

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

27mm deep socket and a 1/2" drive ratchet on the crank bolt.

Agreed.

Mine is a stick and all I do is jack up a rear wheel and turn it by hand with the car in fourth gear.

Len