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Jonathan Joseph Expert Date registered: Oct 2006 Location: Charleston, South Carolina Vehicle(s): 2004 G55 Posts: 1538 | 617 valve adjustment question If I'm reading my manual correctly the recommended valve adjustment interval is 20,000 km? Any suggestions, personal recommendations or tricks? Does anyone check more frequently? Jonathan | ||
#70669 | |||
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amzimmy Elite Veteran Date registered: Apr 2006 Location: South Africa/Italy Vehicle(s): GD300 1981, Alfa GT 3,2 V6, Alfa Brera Q4 3,2 V6. Posts: 850 | RE: 617 valve adjustment question Jonathan, unless you know what you're doing, I would leave this to the mechanic. I have my valve-clearance checked only when the engine sounds like a sawing-machine! amzimmy | ||
#70674 - in reply to #70669 | |||
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dai Expert Date registered: Apr 2006 Location: Oregon USA Vehicle(s): 300GD 300TD BMW R100RS Landini 80F Posts: 2110 | Re: 617 valve adjustment question Jonathan, I do an adjustment annually. They stay stable but slowly tighten the intakes. There is only 4 thousandths cold clearance with thoses so exact adjustment is very important. The correct tools are worth the money if you intend to have a long term relationship with a 617. There are two angled end wrenches (Spanners for you Brits) and one special tool that holds the top of the valve spring holder from rotating. My personal approach is to use long feeler guages. I adjust them to a tight exact spec and then use a one thousandth thinner guage to check the setting. So with the intake stone cold I set to a very close 4 thou and then check with a three thousandths undersize. There should be NO Drag with a three. I use 14 thousands cold for the exhaust and check it with a 13. I do an intake and an exhaust at a time and rock the motor to the next set with a remote starter switch. There is a very easy spot to hook up those to a terminal block under the back of the air cleaner. A very helpfull thing to do is to mark on the intake manifold with a permanent marker which valve is which. I use red arrows out for the exhaust valves to help keep it clear. The clearance is adjusted by loosening the top capnut and making the adjustment with the jamnut under it. Clockwise will give more clearance and anticlockwise will of course tighten them reducing the clearance between the top of the capnut and the cam follower. The feelers go betweent the cam follower and the very back of the cam lobe, when the cam lobes are pointing away from the cam. I go through the set of five pairs adjusting what is needed. Only one intake and one exhaust for different cylinders will come up at a time. I do a first shot at all 10 valves and then recheck my work carefully making sure there is a precise adjustment on each one with no drag with the thinner guages. I hope this makes some sense. -Dai AMZ, I would be happy to show you how I do it next time you are here! It is very straighforward and logical. I think I can do a more carefull job and take the time this needs to get it right rather than having someone else do it. I wear little blue gloves so I am styling while listening to Johnny Clegg! The valve adjust is vaguely fun actually. The airhead boxer is more fun however. Edited by dai 4/19/2007 11:25 AM | ||
#70675 - in reply to #70669 | |||
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Inkblotz Expert Date registered: Apr 2006 Location: Georgia Vehicle(s): 90 300GD "Thundering Turtle II", w/ 603A turbo Posts: 3186 | RE: 617 valve adjustment question I do it every other oil change (7,000). A little anal I know but I like to keep it running smooth. Tricks: Adjust with the engine stone cold. There are measurments for a warm engine, but metals expand and contract differently when heated. With a cold engine you will be more precise. Get the right tools! There are 3 wrenches: 2 to adjust the nuts and one to keep the spring in place. Works seamlessly with the right tools. I use the bump and check method (bumping the starter till a valve or two are in the right position. I adjust those vlaves and bump again for the next set. As you adjust each valve take a red Sharpie and make a mark on the metal oil spray line that runs along the top directly over that valve to help you remember which valves you have adjusted. Replace the valve cover gasket every other time. They will become hard and crack from the exposure to oil and heat. Mark | ||
#70680 - in reply to #70669 | |||
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Inkblotz Expert Date registered: Apr 2006 Location: Georgia Vehicle(s): 90 300GD "Thundering Turtle II", w/ 603A turbo Posts: 3186 | RE: 617 valve adjustment question Dai you beat me to it. Mark | ||
#70681 - in reply to #70669 | |||
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Jonathan Joseph Expert Date registered: Oct 2006 Location: Charleston, South Carolina Vehicle(s): 2004 G55 Posts: 1538 | RE: 617 valve adjustment question Makes total sense Dai. Thanks alot. Needless to say I've done lots of these just not on 617's. Happy to hear you think the tools are worth it, I was wondering about that. Are your's actually Mercedes or is there an aftermarket tool manufacturer making them? Amzimmy, I used to be a car mechanic, so I'm pretty confident about this stuff, I'm just not familiar with these trucks so it's great to get the tips and tricks of the pros and the experience of anyone who's been through it before. Thanks agian! Jonathan | ||
#70684 - in reply to #70669 | |||
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amzimmy Elite Veteran Date registered: Apr 2006 Location: South Africa/Italy Vehicle(s): GD300 1981, Alfa GT 3,2 V6, Alfa Brera Q4 3,2 V6. Posts: 850 | Re: 617 valve adjustment question Jonathan, what Dai is saying is 100% correct. My previous suggestion is, if you know what you're doing, fine. But even with the Manual at hand, if don't know precisely how to set the valve clearance, then you could do some SERIOUS damage to your engine. Listen to your engine and if you hear a "tapping" from the valves. By taking a big screwdriver and placing one end on the tappet cover and the other to your ear you can pinpoint the valve that is "tapping". That is how far I am going to check. Further I let the specialist do his work! amzimmy Sorry Jonathan, the thread is toooooo quick. You're a mechanic therefore........I'll shut-up ! Edited by amzimmy 4/19/2007 11:27 AM | ||
#70686 - in reply to #70675 | |||
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dai Expert Date registered: Apr 2006 Location: Oregon USA Vehicle(s): 300GD 300TD BMW R100RS Landini 80F Posts: 2110 | Re: 617 valve adjustment question Jonathan, check in with Sean at Eurotruck. He mentioned having G tools at reasonable prices. They are listed in Performance Parts under the 123 series or in the tool section. Do a google search, there are some other suppliers of Hazet that might have them for less. I would loan you mine but you are far away..... -Dai | ||
#70687 - in reply to #70669 | |||
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amzimmy Elite Veteran Date registered: Apr 2006 Location: South Africa/Italy Vehicle(s): GD300 1981, Alfa GT 3,2 V6, Alfa Brera Q4 3,2 V6. Posts: 850 | Re: 617 valve adjustment question dai - 4/18/2007 5:11 PM AMZ, I would be happy to show you how I do it next time you are here! It is very straighforward and logical. I think I can do a more carefull job and take the time this needs to get it right rather than having someone else do it. I wear little blue gloves so I am styling while listening to Johnny Clegg! The valve adjust is vaguely fun actually. The airhead boxer is more fun however. Thanks Dai. Just remember that this offer stands! I'll even pour a bit of "vino" in your glass and will definitively drink a glass wile I am watching you! Once I stood by my friend Dirk (G-mechanic) while he was setting all the valves and tappets on the G.........it's quite a job! Enjoy Johnny Clegg,,,,,amzimmy | ||
#70688 - in reply to #70675 | |||
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Jonathan Joseph Expert Date registered: Oct 2006 Location: Charleston, South Carolina Vehicle(s): 2004 G55 Posts: 1538 | RE: 617 valve adjustment question Thanks for the suggestion Dai, sometimes I don't even think to ask the guys at Eurotrucks for things like that. Needless to say they are always helpful even if they don't have what you need. Amz, I'm not sure how much it costs these days to have someone else adjust your valves, but I might suggest doing it a little sooner than when they start to make noise. It'll go along way to extending the life and performance of your engine. That tapping is metal parts slapping against one another that should really be gently massaging each other. Jonathan | ||
#70689 - in reply to #70669 | |||
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Jonathan Joseph Expert Date registered: Oct 2006 Location: Charleston, South Carolina Vehicle(s): 2004 G55 Posts: 1538 | RE: 617 valve adjustment question Hey this G disease must be some sort or genetic disorder, I like wine and I like Johnny Clegg! Maybe I should start a thread.... | ||
#70690 - in reply to #70669 | |||
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hipine Date registered: Jul 2006 Location: US, CO, Bailey Vehicle(s): 460 1980 280GE w. 617A | RE: 617 valve adjustment question The original question being also about intervals, I have one comment more for the casual observers than for you JJ. Dai's "annual" adjustment is convenient, but only allowed if your annual mileage is less than 12,000 mi, or 20,000 km. The diesel being a compression ignition engine, valve timing is even more importnt than it is with a petrol engine, and the big effect of clearances is on valve timing. If the gaps are small, valves are open earlier and later than they should be. If the gaps are big, they're not open long enough. Either results in sub-optimal compression. And if the gaps aren't even across all cylinders, the cylinders generate uneven power leading to more vibration and more stress on all the internal parts. Just like when some manufacturers tell you that you can get away with a 5000 mile oil change interval, but should use a 3000 mile interval if your engine sees "severe service conditions", the valve clearance adjustment interval in the manual should be considered the maximum allowable interval. If you often run the engine hard, you should reduce the valve clearance inspection interval. I do mine every 10,000 miles (works out to twice a year) because I ask a lot of this thing, charging up and down the mountain every day. I got my wrench set from Performance Parts. Good quality (Hazet?) tools at a fraction of the MB price. Having those wrenches makes it lots easier and easier means more likely to be right when you can focus on the clarances, not on how you'll make due with less than optimal tools. -Dave G. | ||
#70702 - in reply to #70669 | |||
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roughneck Expert Date registered: Apr 2006 Location: UK, Germany & USA Vehicle(s): 270 cdi.300 GD 300 GE.lwb 300 GE.swb. Disco 2 Posts: 4398 | Re: 617 valve adjustment question dai - 4/19/2007 4:11 PM The correct tools are worth the money if you intend to have a long term relationship with a 617. There are two angled end wrenches (Spanners for you Brits) and one special tool that holds the top of the valve spring holder from rotating. You do mean an offset open jaw spanner don't you. Having just experienced strange running symptoms caused by bad adjustment, i know how important a regular check is. | ||
#70707 - in reply to #70675 | |||
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Jonathan Joseph Expert Date registered: Oct 2006 Location: Charleston, South Carolina Vehicle(s): 2004 G55 Posts: 1538 | RE: 617 valve adjustment question Roughneck what were your strange running symptoms? | ||
#70716 - in reply to #70669 | |||
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roughneck Expert Date registered: Apr 2006 Location: UK, Germany & USA Vehicle(s): 270 cdi.300 GD 300 GE.lwb 300 GE.swb. Disco 2 Posts: 4398 | RE: 617 valve adjustment question After a good start as engine warmed it would start to miss fire on several cylinders, if revs were increased it was fine but low on power, when running at speed and then stop it misfires and ticks over badly, when revs were increased fine, valves adjusted, fine. | ||
#70755 - in reply to #70669 | |||
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Tjærand Extreme Veteran Date registered: Oct 2006 Location: Nøtterøy, Norway Vehicle(s): 1996 G320 Posts: 403 | RE: 617 valve adjustment question How long time did you use for the adjustment? I'm planning an adjustment and just wanted to know if I should buy a sixpack or just one can ;-) | ||
#70756 - in reply to #70755 | |||
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roughneck Expert Date registered: Apr 2006 Location: UK, Germany & USA Vehicle(s): 270 cdi.300 GD 300 GE.lwb 300 GE.swb. Disco 2 Posts: 4398 | RE: 617 valve adjustment question Do they sell a party seven over there | ||
#70799 - in reply to #70669 | |||
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dai Expert Date registered: Apr 2006 Location: Oregon USA Vehicle(s): 300GD 300TD BMW R100RS Landini 80F Posts: 2110 | Re: 617 valve adjustment question It is a one really good beer project, may be two for first timers. That would be an offset open end wrench on this side of the big lake. But, yes that is what I ment, by all means. -Cheers, -Dai | ||
#70850 - in reply to #70756 | |||
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4x4abc Date registered: Apr 2006 Location: La Paz, Baja California, Mexico Vehicle(s): 02 G500 | Re: 617 valve adjustment question I have never bought from them, but whenever I need to find out about MB tools, I check their site: http://www.samstagsales.com/mercedes.htm#valve (valve.jpg) Attachments ---------------- valve.jpg (30KB - 1 downloads) | ||
#70869 - in reply to #70850 | |||
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dai Expert Date registered: Apr 2006 Location: Oregon USA Vehicle(s): 300GD 300TD BMW R100RS Landini 80F Posts: 2110 | Re: 617 valve adjustment question I like that site too, Harald. Those are the bent up wrenches we need for the job. The short wrench in the center helps steady the valve from spinning so it can arrive at the correct setting easily. Handy. For those of you doing this it is a good idea to have some fuel return line around. It is almost impossible to not disturb those little flexi hoses as the valve adjust is done. If the rubber is getting old and crusty you might cause them to leak. It is super easy to replace them, you cut them off the barbs on the injectors, cut a new one to size and push them on the little barbs. Like glow plugs it is a good idea to replace all of them at once if you have the time because they tend to all go south at once. I buy around a meter. For some reason it takes more hose than I think it will to do the complete job. Odd. The current price at Performance is 93.50 for that set. I have purchaced parts from Performance often (a great Conti belt source) and have had good service. Most of the 300GD parts relating to the motor cross with 123 series vehicles and Performance supports that chassis. -Dai Edited by dai 4/21/2007 12:01 PM | ||
#70881 - in reply to #70869 | |||
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