Laying down a smoke screen

[Motard]

Thanks Andy. I will begin working on the car next week and if it is in fact a valve stem seal I will order this thing from Premier tools.

Bob

 

[Motard]

OK guys I am going to begin looking at my engine tomorrow. Don't really know why I am getting my hands dirty, thought I had given this up long ago but I think the enthusiasm and advice from you all has something to do with it.
As far as I understand it I have to remove the camshaft to ascertain if it is in fact a valve stem seal. Then I have to buy the doohicky that Andy_k found for me to do the job. Is the valve going to drop into the cylinder? Any advice on procedure would be rewarded with copious amounts of red liquid any time anyone comes down here.

Thanks in advance,

Bob

 

[Motard]

Help!!!!

Got the rocker box cover off, errrrr what do I do now? The Haynes manual doesn't make much sense to me!

Bob

 

[andy_k]

I've not done this job on a Merc, so this is based on experience of other engines

next you need to remove the cam and any carrier it is fitted into

that will give you acess to the valve lifters - remove them and keep them clean and in order - bag and label them

Once they are removed you will have access to the valve springs, to remove them you need to compress the spring, remove the split collet and you should be able to then lift the spring clear.

The base of the valve stem will have a ring around it - that's the little sod you are after remove it, replace and put the spring back on the valve, compress, refit the collets making sure they are full locked in place then move onto the next one.

Once all the valves are done replace the lifters, the cam and the cam cover and you should have a smoke free engine.

Things to watch out for

1, follow the correct tightening/loosening sequence for the cam carrier bolts

2, work on each valve with the piston for that cylinder at the top of it's stroke - that should stop the valve from dropping into the cylinder

3, do one cylinder at a time and put the valve lifters back in the same place they came from.

HTH

Andy

 

[Ian B Walker]

URGENT URGENT!!!

When removing the timing chain from the cam shaft first slacken off the tensioner (looking from front of car, left hand side just under manifold, 17mm hex socket) and keep tension on the chain, I use an elastic strap fixed to the open bonnet.

 

[Motard]

Thanks so much Andy and Ian. I haven't made any progress at all other than look at it. Half of me wants to put the rocker cover back on and take it to the auction, the other half would like to fix it and keep it.
Someone told me to cable tie the chain to the sprocket Ian, will this have the same effect?

Bob

 

[Ian B Walker]

partly yes to your question but you have to keep the chain taught so that it wont move off the crankshaft sprocket. I learnt this the hard way.

 

[Motard]

Found the problem I think! Drained the rad and it had lots of oil! New head gasket here we come!

Bob

 

[Ian B Walker]

having done this type or repair in my drive if i can help i am only a computer call away, or if you want my phone number pm me.

 

[andy_k]

oh well, may as well do the valves and seals whilst it's off.

Bad luck Bob.

Andy

 

[Motard]

Thanks guys, Ian and Andy, I will take your advice Andy.
Do either of you know the size of the TORX studs to get the head off? I have to order one and I can't figure the size, looks about 8mm.
Tool shops here??????? Got lots of hammers and they are sh*tty ones at that.

Cheers,


Bob

 

[Ian B Walker]

If memory serves me right I think it is 10mm Torex. One more thing to look at while you have the head off, check the exhaust manifold studs and if they look corroded change them, easier to do with the head on a bench. The manual says remove the cables, wires and linkages from the inlet manifold. I found that with a little persiverance you can just remove the manifold with everything connected. The advantage of doing this is that all your settings for accelerator, auto gearbox ect remain the same you dont have hours of frustration trying to set up the micro switch and accelerator linkage for the auto gearbox. One last thing, be carefull removing the timing chain upper guide, they snap easily.