300 TDi Valve clearances. How important?

**discomuzz** · 9th July 2009, 11:36 AM

Hi all!

I caught a glimpse in another thread of the importance of correct valve clearances to engine performance.

Is this correct? I always assumed it just made the motor noisy.

**loanrangie** · 9th July 2009, 11:43 AM

If the clearance is increased you wont get full valve lift (opening) therefore you suffocate the engine.

**discomuzz** · 9th July 2009, 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by loanrangie

If the clearance is increased you wont get full valve lift (opening) therefore you suffocate the engine.

Mmmm, makes sense.

I am a little toey about doing this job myself though.

Have you done it?

**Cap** · 9th July 2009, 11:58 AM

Personally I would have a reputable mechanic do it. Not worth the risk/aggrevation, especially if your concerned.

**loanrangie** · 9th July 2009, 12:03 PM

Originally Posted by discomuzz

Mmmm, makes sense.

I am a little toey about doing this job myself though.

Have you done it?

Not on my tdi but will do in the next week or 2 as they havent been done during my ownership and performance has dropped off slightly so i am overdue to do them.

**loanrangie** · 9th July 2009, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by stooge

Personally I would have a reputable mechanic do it. Not worth the risk/aggrevation, especially if your concerned.

With a bit of care its very easy to do, worst you could do is make it run rough.

**discomuzz** · 9th July 2009, 12:08 PM

Well you will just have to hurry up and let me know how it goes!

P.S. It would appear, according to your avatar, that we have similar vehicles. '98 Tdi Oxford Blue Pearl?

**discomuzz** · 9th July 2009, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by loanrangie

With a bit of care its very easy to do, worst you could do is make it run rough.

Which it already does!

**loanrangie** · 9th July 2009, 01:00 PM

Originally Posted by discomuzz

Well you will just have to hurry up and let me know how it goes!

P.S. It would appear, according to your avatar, that we have similar vehicles. '98 Tdi Oxford Blue Pearl?

Is that what the colour is, i never knew or worried about it - but i do like it

.

**steveG** · 9th July 2009, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by discomuzz

Mmmm, makes sense.

I am a little toey about doing this job myself though.

Have you done it?

I've done them on mine ('97 300tdi)
Its an easy job. If you've ever set the gap on ignition points then its like doing the same thing 8 times with a bigger spanner.

There is a excellent tutorial somewhere here on how to do it.
Most important thing is to get the engine to the right position to set each valve - from memory its a rule of 9: ie you set #1 valve with #8 fully open (8+1=9) etc etc.

Steve

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