Thread: 300TDI valve clearances

Hi, A job I will be attempting shortly is the valve clearances.

I've searched everywhere and found some info, but not the basic stuff I'm after.

It's a 1998 D1 300TDI.

Can I turn the crankshaft without removing the glow plugs, or is it just too hard?

Is it clockwise (standing looking at the front of the engine) that the crankshaft turns?

Do I really need to adhere to the torque specifications for tightening the tappet adjuster nuts?

Is this a one person job, or best done with two? One turning the crankshaft and the other adjusting the valves?

Basic stuff I know, but that's what you get with amatuers.

8 thou is also an acceptable setting...

easiest way to do it is...

• chock the back wheels.
• put it in 5th high CDL out
• hand brake on hard
• jack up the passangers side front wheel
• stand on a milk crate
• remove the rocker cover
• using the rule of 9 adjust the valve that corrosponds to any valve that is in the open position
• with a paint pen put a dob of paint on the lock nut of the rocker you just adjusted
• rotate the wheel forwards by stepping on the front edge of the tyre and pushing down
• again using the rule of 9 adjust any valve that corrosponds to an open valve
• repeat untill all valves are adjusted

remember you may not even need to adjust the valves check them with the feeler gauge before you crack the nuts...

again its a persona thing but I like to give the top of the adjuster a gentle tap with a soft rubber mallet to make sure that its seated correctly in the cup of the push rod and the push rod is all the way down. This also helps break any "suction" of the oil that can keep the rocker down on the valve stem.