valve shim question - page 1 - IDI Engine - VWDiesel.net The IDI, TDI, and mTDI source.

• valve shim question by silvertdi on 22 Jan, 2008 19:09
• Is there a tool that can compress the spring and pop out the shims while the cam is in the car?  If so, where can I get one (buy or rent)?  I'd like to adjust my valves but don't want to tear down the top end.  Thanks.
• #1 by RabbitJockey on 22 Jan, 2008 19:46
• i've heard of it being done i dunno how... its not that much work to take ur timing belt off and take out the cam
• #2 by TPW on 22 Jan, 2008 20:04
• Look on Ebay
• #3 by Quantum TD on 22 Jan, 2008 21:24
• The really nice pliers to remove the shims is made by HAZET. It's Number: 2599
  
  The tool used to depress the lifters is HAZET 2574
  
  
  These are about the best quality brand you can buy (made in W Germany). I've tried others and you just go nuts trying to hold the lifters and pinch the shims. The other brands just slip. The depresser actually holds it self in place once the lifters are depressed, and the pliers perfectly fit th contour of the lifter-bore area and makes pinching the shims a breeze.
• #4 by silvertdi on 23 Jan, 2008 16:48
• Thanks Quantum.  I'm definately going to check them out.
  
  One more question....Do shims from any 4 cyl vw gasser work?  Can I go to the junkyard and pull shims hoping to collect enough to give me the thicknesses I need?
  
  Thanks.
• #5 by silvertdi on 23 Jan, 2008 17:24
• WOW  :shock:  $80 for each of those tools.  I'll see if I can snag a set on ebay.  It would make shimming so much more enjoyable.
• #6 by blkboostedtruck on 23 Jan, 2008 18:46
• Quote from: "silvertdi"

  WOW  :shock:  $80 for each of those tools.  I'll see if I can snag a set on ebay.  It would make shimming so much more enjoyable.

  
  everyonce in a while there will be some that show up on THESAMBA.COM i bought my depressor there for 20bucks and bought the plires from flea-bay from ZDMAK they have alot of specialty tools! check it out?
  or you can always come up here and use mine? i'm working on buying a shim kit from (mikew) sometime soon?
  thanks Duane
• #7 by silvertdi on 23 Jan, 2008 19:00
• Duane,
  
  I just may have to swing by and take you up on your offer.  Thanks.     I'm not in too big of a hurry to get it done, just worried that its never been done on my car.   I'm thinking it may help it run a bit better in the cold, as well.
  
  Eric
• #8 by blkboostedtruck on 23 Jan, 2008 19:12
• Quote from: "silvertdi"

  Duane,
  
  I just may have to swing by and take you up on your offer.  Thanks.     I'm not in too big of a hurry to get it done, just worried that its never been done on my car.   I'm thinking it may help it run a bit better in the cold, as well.
  
  Eric

  
   
   He He ! should i set up a guest room for ya ? i think we should make a punch list of things we  need to do so nothing is forgot? seriously i don't mind?
  thanks Duane  
• #9 by burn_your_money on 23 Jan, 2008 19:32
• Quote from: "silvertdi"

  Duane,
  
  I just may have to swing by and take you up on your offer.  Thanks.     I'm not in too big of a hurry to get it done, just worried that its never been done on my car.   I'm thinking it may help it run a bit better in the cold, as well.
  
  Eric

  
  
  You can check it without the tool, I'd start there.
  I have two of them, came with my timing kit. If you think I know where they are though....
• #10 by blkboostedtruck on 23 Jan, 2008 19:59
• Quote from: "burn_your_money"

  Quote from: "silvertdi"

  Duane,
  
  I just may have to swing by and take you up on your offer.  Thanks.     I'm not in too big of a hurry to get it done, just worried that its never been done on my car.   I'm thinking it may help it run a bit better in the cold, as well.
  
  Eric

  
  
  You can check it without the tool, I'd start there.
  I have two of them, came with my timing kit. If you think I know where they are though....

  
  
  Tyler,
  cam follower depressor,shim plires, feeler gage, we were talking about adjusting valves! were you refering to timing tools?
  Duane
• #11 by Quantum TD on 23 Jan, 2008 23:53
• Quote from: "silvertdi"

  One more question....Do shims from any 4 cyl vw gasser work?  Can I go to the junkyard and pull shims hoping to collect enough to give me the thicknesses I need?
  
  Thanks.

  
  
  All VW shims are the same from 1975-1984: gas or diesel. I'll give you a tip though. If you try to grab some from a j-yard, you may be disappointed to find that the replacement shims you get will probably be the same thickness range as the ones in your car.
  
  I've pulled dozens of these shims out of j-yard ***ters and they're all within about +/- .05mm of eachother, and they tend to hover in the 3.65-3.70 range. Most people never adjusted their valves, so you probably won't find too many outside of that general range. You may be better off (time wise) to actually measure your shims and determine exactly what you need, and then buy some from your local foreign auto parts dealer.
• #12 by burn_your_money on 24 Jan, 2008 05:04
• Quote from: "blkboostedtruck"

  
  Tyler,
  cam follower depressor,shim plires, feeler gage, we were talking about adjusting valves! were you refering to timing tools?
  Duane

  
  
  I know, the guy I bought them from just sold it as a package deal
• #13 by blkboostedtruck on 24 Jan, 2008 15:26
• Quote from: "burn_your_money"

  Quote from: "blkboostedtruck"

  
  Tyler,
  cam follower depressor,shim plires, feeler gage, we were talking about adjusting valves! were you refering to timing tools?
  Duane

  
  
  I know, the guy I bought them from just sold it as a package deal

  
  
  wow interestng i never seen a package deal like that? i've had to source mine from atleast 3 different supplyers some new and used!
  what did you pay for a kit like that?
  thanks Duane
• #14 by rabbitman on 24 Jan, 2008 15:59
• If you can't grab the shim good enough you can blow compressed air under 'em to pop the suction loose. Gassers have the same shims.