MD11C Check Tightening Cylinder Head + Valve Clearance.

[CaptainBob]

I've just found out that the MD11C in the Centaur I just bought has not had the cylinder head bolts check tightened, or the valve clearances checked, since it was rebuilt around 7 years ago.

As a relative novice to engine maintenance - is this something I can realistically expect to be able to do myself?

If so, where's the best place to buy a suitable torque wrench? And what IS a suitable torque wrench? (Same for feeler gauge?)

How likely is it that I will need to replace the valve cover gaskets? Should I buy some in advance of the job?

My volvo DIY handbook has a handwritten note in it that says "decompressor setting _must_ be checked after each time valve clearance is altered" but I can find no reference to the "decompressor"... what is this? How do I "check" it?

Many thanks!

 

[pvb]

Yes, this is a DIY job. If you can't borrow a torque wrench, you can get a suitable one from somewhere like Halfords, they do a 40-200Nm wrench for about £50. You should be able to re-use the gaskets.

The decompression levers have a black knob on the end, and are fixed in the valve covers. If you download the workshop manual from here, it'll tell you how to adjust these.

 

[CaptainBob]

Brilliant, thank you /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[CaptainBob]

Is this not up to the task?

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/18289/Hand-Tools/Spanners-Wrenches/Wrenches/Torque-Wrench

 

[pvb]

[ QUOTE ]
Is this not up to the task?

[/ QUOTE ]Yes, it'll do the job, but might not last as long! If you're rarely going to use it, it'd probably be OK.

 

[CaptainBob]

Cheers.

One more question for you... the valve covers have "oil filler caps" in them, but these aren't mentioned in any oil filling operation in the DIY guide or workshop manual. Should I be putting oil in there? I assume they're a throwback to a different model of the engine?

 

[Bilgediver]

the valve covers have "oil filler caps" in them
*************************************************

Are they oil filler plugs or are they access plugs for adjusting the decompressors???????

The some older volvo engines had a chunky oil filler plug on the back of the engine. I m not sure about this model!

 

[pvb]

Don't know the answer to that. They're described as "oil filler caps" in the workshop manual, but it's easier to use the regular filler - no spanner needed.

 

[albineer]

I always add oil through the rocker cover and never use the oil filler spout at the rear of the engine. I've forgotten why.

 

[VicS]

[ QUOTE ]
has not had the cylinder head bolts check tightened, or the valve clearances checked, since it was rebuilt around 7 years ago.


[/ QUOTE ] All I have by way of a torque wrench is one of these: http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=15604 although I have to confess that I have generally been able to borrow a better one for anything important.

If you do not want to buy a torque wrench then you will probably be able to hire one from a tool hire place.
Its hardly worth going any further than Halfords or any other motor spares shop for set of feeler gauges I would think.

You may be able to reuse the rocker cover gaskets if they come off intact. I have seldom bought a new one for any car I've owned, even when the tappets have had to be adjusted at every service.

I am quite surprised to see that the owners manual recommends rechecking the head bolts every season. After rebuilding and once 20 hours after that I would have thought adequate. Note the correct sequence for tightening but don't be surprised if none of them moves.
Experience will show if the valve clearances need readjusting as frequently as they say.

A technique which I have found useful when adjusting valve clearance is as follows

Using a good sized screw driver and a ring spanner, hold the adjusting screw still with the screwdriver, just slacken the locknut, turn the screw while holding the locknut still, tighten the locknut while holding the screw still and then recheck the clearance. Repeat the above until the clearance is correct. Due to the amount of slack on the adjusting screw thread you are unlikely to be able to simply adjust it to give the correct clearance and then tighten the locknut.

The procedure for adjusting the decompression devices is described clearly in the w/s manual para 101

 

[Bilgediver]

I've forgotten why
*****************

Cos its easier and you can see what you are spilling and the oil that leaks past the worn seals and valve guides helps get the beast going.... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif