I've been beating on my b18b for a little while now, and it's starting to become a fussy little...motor. I've reached the point where I have to adjust the valves every time I beat on it. And I'm not talking beat it up for an extended period on a track, I'm talking beat it up for less than five minutes in a parking lot on a Sunday.

I've tried going with really tight, hair splitting precise tolerances. I've tried torquing the adjustment bolts tighter than factory spec. Still, there's always a few valves that flip me off and loosen up by the time I get home. I can't say I mind fixing it, but finding a time to do it when the car is sufficiently cold is a PITA.

Is this somewhat normal for a Honda, or am I getting ready to replace some stuff?

 

I think it's in your head, and just getting slightly different readings. It's easy to get different readings on feeler gauges

 

if the clearances are loosening up, i'd replace the screws and locknuts on all the rocker arms.

 

once every year or two.

 

hmmm, I'll look into that.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by solo-x &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">once every year or two.</TD></TR></TABLE>

damn.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by solo-x &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">once every year or two.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I end up adjusting mine 2-3x per season. Its easy to check.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I end up adjusting mine 2-3x per season. Its easy to check.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Good, I won't feel so bad when I ask you to show me how to check it the next time we meet up.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Another Drew &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Good, I won't feel so bad when I ask you to show me how to check it the next time we meet up. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Just bring it by, i'm still in vienna (though not at the same place as before) and I'll show you how to do it I've even got the pimpy snap-on tool

 

How much "drag" do you usually look for when adjusting your valves? When I do it get nervous b/c I'm not really sure how much drag is suppose to be on the feeler gauge.

 

Treat it like a woman.

When I do it, I slide it back and forth looking for that sweet angle.

When the clearance is looser than the gauge you're using, you can feel it slide smoothly across the oil. As you work the gauge and slowly tighten the nut, you'll start to feel some friction. If it gets to where the gauge starts sticking, work it around some more and see if it loosens up. Keep working the gauge and nut until you've got a consistent "drag." You don't want it moving freely, but if it's hard to push or pull on the gauge and you know you're not crooked, then it's too tight. Kinda hard to put into words, but if you do it enough you get a pretty good feel for it.

Hope that helps somewhat.

 

Hmm, how often do the autocrossers do valve jobs?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by LX4CYL &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Hmm, how often do the autocrossers do valve jobs?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Valve jobs or valve adjustments?

 

Sorry, I meant adjustments.

Discrete Mathematics has turned my brain to goo...

 

I auto-x and probably do it once a year. I daily drive it too but I only rack up 7500/yr. Usually only 3-5 are a little loose and I have Crower Stage 2 non-VTEC cams. Valve adjustments are my favorite bit of car maintenance to do, they're fun (but not every other drive fun).