D16A6. I decided to replace a leaky valve cover gasket. While I had it off I also decided to adjust my valves following the Helm manual. Never done it before, it looked easy enough, and it had been a long time since the valves had be done. Well the problems started right off. My camshaft pulley doesn't have the "UP" marking or the two grooves that it showed in Helms. It has a single groove and that's it. So finding TDC using the Helm instructions was impossible.

I called a friend who's a pretty decent shade tree mechanic. He suggested using a long screwdriver in the sparkplug hole and seeing when it's at it's highest point. It seemed to work so I adjusted each valve folllowing the Helm manual. Seemed to go like it should. I cranked the engine and now it sounds like a deranged sewing machine.

I redid it two more times, it just seems to be getting worse. I need some advice on what I may have done wrong, finding TDC without the Helm's markings, and if can't get it adjusted right will I damage the engine driving it to a pro shop?

 

There are 2 things you can do.
1. Put a long screwdriver into the spark plug hole of the #1 cylinder (closest to the timing belt) and watch for it at it's highest point. This only tells you when it's at the top though (it could be the top of the exhaust stroke and not the compression stroke, which is what you want) and so you could be 180 degrees off. See next.

2. Make sure you know which spark plug wire goes where first. Follow them to the distributor. Maybe make a little mark on the base of the distributor where the wires are. Remove the distro cap. When the rotor points at the number one spark plug wire "AND" the screw driver is at it's highest point you should be there.

Just adjust the number one cylinder valves and move on to number 3. Yes, I said number 3. You are going by the firing order aren't you? (1-3-4-2) Turn the engine over by hand (with a socket) and when the rotor faces #3 spark plug, and the screw driver (now in the #3 cylinder) is at it's highest point, adjust the #3 valves. Repeat for number 4 and 2 and you should be done.

I left out all the obvious stuff like disconnect the battery and make sure the engine is cold (yes Honda valves are adjusted cold) and wear a condom and all that crap because I figured it should be common sense by now. Maybe not.

edit: The firing order is 1-3-4-2 but the cylinders are still numbered 1-2-3-4 from the timing belt to the tranny. Didn't want it to be confusing.


Modified by boxybutfast at 3:06 PM 11/14/2004

 

boxybutfast, thanks. I'll try that, seems my phone buddy left out a few details....