The Importance of Valve Adjustment
07-02-2007, 04:32 AM
#1
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The Importance of Valve Adjustment
Lately I've noticed an increase in valvetrain noise.
I didn't think much of it at first. It seemed to sound 'normal' to what I was used to with the Skunk2 Pro2+'s I have been running since October 2005.
Then, I started to notice a decrease in power on the butt dyno. The car just did not seem to have the top-end it once had.
Finally, the breaking point was at the track this past Friday night. My car, which usually traps 104-105mph was only trapping 96-97mph. (I also ended up limping home because of a broken alternator belt.
)
That is when I really thought about the condition of my engine. It just made no sense to lose 7-8mph trap speeds.
So, yesterday the car was 'freshened' up, if you will.
My father and I popped the valve cover off, reset the cam gears to 0 and checked the valve lash.
We found every valve to have .012" of clearance!
Upon tightening them to .007" on the intake side, and .008" on the exhaust, the car sounded 500% healthier.
Also, before the valve adjustment, the car seemed to idle smoothly at 16 degrees of base timing. Now, 21 degrees is the only point at which it will idle, just like it used too.
After the car warmed up, I proceeded to do a few third gear pulls. From 7,500 to 9,000 RPM, the car wanted a bunch more fuel.
Now, she feels like a million bucks.
So, the moral of the story is, if you run BIG HONKIN' cams, check your valve lash often. I had not touched my valvetrain since March of '06 before this. Now, I will be making a point to check/adjust every 6 months.
- Derek
I didn't think much of it at first. It seemed to sound 'normal' to what I was used to with the Skunk2 Pro2+'s I have been running since October 2005.
Then, I started to notice a decrease in power on the butt dyno. The car just did not seem to have the top-end it once had.
Finally, the breaking point was at the track this past Friday night. My car, which usually traps 104-105mph was only trapping 96-97mph. (I also ended up limping home because of a broken alternator belt.
)That is when I really thought about the condition of my engine. It just made no sense to lose 7-8mph trap speeds.
So, yesterday the car was 'freshened' up, if you will.
My father and I popped the valve cover off, reset the cam gears to 0 and checked the valve lash.
We found every valve to have .012" of clearance!
Upon tightening them to .007" on the intake side, and .008" on the exhaust, the car sounded 500% healthier.
Also, before the valve adjustment, the car seemed to idle smoothly at 16 degrees of base timing. Now, 21 degrees is the only point at which it will idle, just like it used too.
After the car warmed up, I proceeded to do a few third gear pulls. From 7,500 to 9,000 RPM, the car wanted a bunch more fuel.
Now, she feels like a million bucks.
So, the moral of the story is, if you run BIG HONKIN' cams, check your valve lash often. I had not touched my valvetrain since March of '06 before this. Now, I will be making a point to check/adjust every 6 months.
- Derek
07-02-2007, 04:36 AM
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Re: The Importance of Valve Adjustment (D-Rob)
wow a good informative post in the all motor forum. 
to you.
i cant agree more with valve adjustment every 3-6 months on a dd car.
to you.i cant agree more with valve adjustment every 3-6 months on a dd car.
07-02-2007, 06:34 AM
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Re: The Importance of Valve Adjustment (1 2 NV)
shame on you for going that long without a valve adjustment! especially with those big a$$ cams!
good reminder though, a lot of people forget some of the simplest things that should be done regularly, and it really hurts them.
like the guy who didn't clean his K&N filter for over a year. cleaned it, dyno'd it, free'd up like 7whp LOL
good reminder though, a lot of people forget some of the simplest things that should be done regularly, and it really hurts them.
like the guy who didn't clean his K&N filter for over a year. cleaned it, dyno'd it, free'd up like 7whp LOL
07-02-2007, 08:12 AM
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Re: The Importance of Valve Adjustment (ipodhustle)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ipodhustle »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">shame on you for going that long without a valve adjustment! especially with those big a$$ cams!
good reminder though, a lot of people forget some of the simplest things that should be done regularly, and it really hurts them.
like the guy who didn't clean his K&N filter for over a year. cleaned it, dyno'd it, free'd up like 7whp LOL</TD></TR></TABLE>
My sentiments exactly.Lazy people are morons.
good reminder though, a lot of people forget some of the simplest things that should be done regularly, and it really hurts them.
like the guy who didn't clean his K&N filter for over a year. cleaned it, dyno'd it, free'd up like 7whp LOL</TD></TR></TABLE>
My sentiments exactly.Lazy people are morons.
07-02-2007, 08:14 AM
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Re: The Importance of Valve Adjustment (D-Rob)
do a check every month.. checking wont take u over 10 - 15 mins anyways... u can even do it will joking with some peeps around since checking it aint that critical.
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07-02-2007, 09:08 AM
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Re: The Importance of Valve Adjustment (D-Rob)
Good post!!! I need to check my valves soon im at the 500miles mark on my new engine and my valves are making a lot of noise when im driving around 
Modified by DA_JDM at 12:56 PM 7/2/2007
Modified by DA_JDM at 12:56 PM 7/2/2007
07-02-2007, 10:48 AM
#9
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Good post D-rob,
It's been a while since I checked the lash on my daily driver nonVTEC build. And considering that it runs .450" lift IN/EX all the time it probably beats the valvetrain even more than the high strung VTEC engines.
I've got something to do tonight!
Pirate
It's been a while since I checked the lash on my daily driver nonVTEC build. And considering that it runs .450" lift IN/EX all the time it probably beats the valvetrain even more than the high strung VTEC engines.
I've got something to do tonight!
Pirate
07-02-2007, 05:00 PM
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Re: The Importance of Valve Adjustment (D-Rob)
It amazes me how many people come to the dyno with cars that sound like diesels. Nice to see a reminder on H-T
Good on ya mate
Good on ya mate
07-18-2007, 11:53 PM
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Re: The Importance of Valve Adjustment (initial_si)
maintenence posts are helpful these engines can be a real pain
the harder you beat them without knowing how to set them straight
these engines can be a real painthe harder you beat them without knowing how to set them straight
07-20-2007, 08:46 AM
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Re: (k_civic)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by k_civic »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What its the valve adjusment for Skunk 2 stage 2?
Now i have .008 in .010ex
</TD></TR></TABLE>
That's a little loose(but within spec)-valve train a little noisy?
Now i have .008 in .010ex
</TD></TR></TABLE>
That's a little loose(but within spec)-valve train a little noisy?
07-20-2007, 09:55 AM
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Re: (b19coupe)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by b19coupe »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
That's a little loose(but within spec)-valve train a little noisy?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Not noisy, but a little friction scracht in vtec lobe, only in ex cam( wierd man) just a little... Thats happen with CTR valve spring, now i have Skunk 2 valve spring. Re-adjust the valve .007in-.008ex?
Modified by k_civic at 11:09 AM 7/20/2007
That's a little loose(but within spec)-valve train a little noisy?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Not noisy, but a little friction scracht in vtec lobe, only in ex cam( wierd man)
just a little... Thats happen with CTR valve spring, now i have Skunk 2 valve spring. Re-adjust the valve .007in-.008ex?Modified by k_civic at 11:09 AM 7/20/2007
