pvt_awol

Hey guys, really quick answers would be awesome.

I have a broken rocker arm adjustment bolt (valve lash) and I just need to replace it. I got the new bolt ready to go, and I'm amped about removing the whole rocker arm assembly.

My question, since the motor is still in the car, and I'm too lazy to jack the engine up and pull out the rocker arm shafts, can I just remove the cams, and then "tilt" the broken arm up to where I can get to the underside of it to remove and replace the adjustment bolt? Seems like I can, but I was wondering if anyone else has done this. It would save A LOT of work.

Black R

yes, you can do it just in the manner you described.

pvt_awol

^

really? YES!!

I know this sounds weird, like why doesn't that guy just go try it? But the thing is, I took the car to the Honda dealership already, and I think they are gonna charge me out the *** to remove the rocker arm shafts. But hell, if they don't need to, then they don't need to charge me to do it! Thanks guys.

Black R

maybe they're assuming it'll have to be replaced and not just unscrewed?

even so, it's pretty easy to remove the shaft and pull the rocker arms out anyway...

but definitely try to replace the screw without removing them - that way you don't have to worry about the seals and **** for the plugs.

pvt_awol

^

agreed. Do you think they will listen to me, if I go there and tell them what to try? I mean these are Honda certified techs, but sometimes I don't know. The guy was looking in the right book I told him for the valve lash adjustment ('95 del Sol) But instead of looking at the b16a3 stuff, he was of course looking at the d16z6 stuff. I know they are competent and all, but sometimes I see stuff like that, and wonder.

Black R

i wouldn't trust them. in fact, i'd trust that you'd do a better job than some of the dealership techs.

I know some who are real enthusiasts, but I have also seen some that I wouldn't trust to change the oil on my car.....

stumpyf4

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Black R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i wouldn't trust them. in fact, i'd trust that you'd do a better job than some of the dealership techs.

I know some who are real enthusiasts, but I have also seen some that I wouldn't trust to change the oil on my car..... </TD></TR></TABLE>

IMO 99% of dealer techs are parts changers, they get paid to change parts not to diagnose. What they get paid for is dictated by the flat rate manual (for a flat rate tech) not actual time it takes to do the job.

The adjuster on the rocker is available separately from the rocker assembly so it should be unscrewing and replacing. You'll have to pull the cams at the minimum, I recommend replacing the timing belt as well since I've had bad experiences with re-tensioning an old belt.

pvt_awol

^

it's been done already. I went and "helped" the tech guy. We removed just the EXH cam, and then tilted the rocker up, and replaced the bolt. Didn't need to really mess with the timing belt, it had less than 3k miles on it.

put a new valve cover gasket on, and retorqued everything. Car runs awesome. Ticking is gone.


then they charged me $250 parts and labor.

stumpyf4

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by pvt_awol &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">^
then they charged me $250 parts and labor. </TD></TR></TABLE>

WOWZERS!! Someone is eating steak tonight.

pvt_awol

^

and I will be having cup of noodles.

robfrmny21

for the guy who says 99% of dealer techs are part installer you must have never went to a well run shop...