Symptoms
Clattering valvetrain, or simply an unknown service history. It's a routine job on this pushrod air-cooled engine.
The fix, step by step
- With the engine cold, remove the engine cover, the throttle linkage and all four rocker covers.
- Bring cylinder 1 to TDC on compression, with the timing mark aligned and the rotor pointing at the No. 1 lead.
- Set both valves to 0.2 mm (intake and exhaust) by feel, lock the adjuster and check again.
- Turn the crank half a turn at a time to do cylinders 2, 4 and 3, following the 1-2-4-3 firing order.
- Fit new gaskets.
- The SDP guide says never to use blue RTV and to check carburetor sync afterward.
- It also warns that a deformed head gasket can lose enough oil on one highway trip to ruin the engine.
Tools & part numbers
- 0.2 mm feeler gauge
- screwdriver
- combination wrenches
- chalk
- socket to turn the crank
- carburetor synchronizer.
Where to buy the parts
Valve cover gasket, synthetic, set of 4 (7121040061AS)Swiss Army Vehicles ↗Amazon ↗
Valve cover gasket, cork, set of 4 (7121040061S)Swiss Army Vehicles ↗Amazon ↗
Carburetor synchro tester (9053121160)Swiss Army Vehicles ↗Amazon ↗
Hunting a used or discontinued part? Search eBay Motors for Steyr-Puch Pinzgauer 710 / 712 parts →
Rated for a competent home mechanic with a decent tool kit. Confirm torque figures, fluids and procedures against the factory service manual for your VIN, support the truck on stands rather than a jack, and work at your own risk (disclaimer). Some parts links are affiliate links, which pay us a small commission at no cost to you.