CluelessinAR

Morning gents, here's hoping someone can point me in the right direction. I have a '91 Civic with a d15b2 motor. In the last few days, the rockers have started tapping, indicating that they are loose. In my Chilton's, I can find the torque value for the shaft bolts (16 ft-lbs), but nothing about the bolts on the arms themselves. Does anyone know this information, or know where I can find it? Your help is appreciated.

slowcivic2k

Have you verified with a feeler gauge that the clearance between the rocker and the valve tip was too wide?

The adjustment jam nuts require around 5-7ft/lbs, as they are an M6 thread. A lot of high mileage Civic's of this vintage produce piston slap when cold, which can be faint enough to construe it as rocker noise when in fact it is not.

Rocker jam nuts and piston slap does not occur overnight. Piston slap is a temperature related problem. The valve lash (rocker noise) problem is fairly consistent, and may diminish slightly with increases in engine temperature.

Source: I owned a D15B2 Civic for 8 years.

CluelessinAR

Haven't torn it down that far, but that is something to check, for certain. As to temperature, it does it consistently throughout the operating temperature range. Doesn't seem to matter if the motor is cold or hot, the tapping is still there.

Thanks for the info, and if I can't adjust it, I'll check with the gauge.

smilindave

First, do your self a favor and get a factory service manual. Then perform a valve lash adjustment. This is to be done when the engine is cold, I prefer to do this prior to starting the engine for any reason in the morning. After a proper adjustment is performed, the noise should lessen unless there are other issues with the engine. After many years of owning these cars they all make some valve noise, it is just the way it is.
Regards
Dave

CluelessinAR

Thanks!