Hey guys got a quick question for you. I have 98 Ex (sohc) coupe with I/H/E. Last night I adjusted valves with a help of HONDA manual and car ran like crap. There was a loud clicking noise not to mention power loss. It seemed like I lost one cylinder or something. I checked plugs and plugs wires-everything was OKAY. I had some troubles determining TDC on my cylinders, these little notches on cam sprocket weren't very helpful to me (would that be my problem – TDC). Anyway any hints on how to fix my "tractor" (that's what it sounds like) or how to correctly adjust these valves. What is the best way determining TDC. Oh last thing, I did valve in such order 1,3,4,2 (just to make sure I didn’t @#$@% anything). Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am very new to HT. Still trying to get the feel for it.

 

ttt

 

top please

 

you said you might have lost a cylinder? Do a compression test, or the quick and ghetto way...idle the engine and one by one pull a plug wire, then put it back in. If there is a noticable drop in idle after you pull it, then that cylinder is holding some compression. If not, then that may be the culprit. Good luck, and if your timing is off, i hope you didnt ben a valve!

 

How would I have bent valve? Is it possible to bent one while adjusting it?
As for cylinder, engine has 35k miles, I am assuming compression is alright on all.
I have done this few times before and never had problem like that

Oh what is the best way to see TDC on my cylinder?
Thanks

 

what did u set ur valve clearances to?

if u aren't good at using the cam gear to find TDC, u can also take off the distributer cap and watch inside to see when it points at the lead for cylinder one
usually when turning the crankshaft by hand, u'll feel a little give when one of the cylinders is at TDC

 

The cam gear has a little arrow which says "up", when it's pointed directly up, the motor it at TDC and you can set #1, 90* turn CCW and set 3, 90* turn CCW and set 4, 90* turn CCW and set 2. Not very difficult, I'm getting the feeling you tightend them out of sequence since you said you couldn't spot TDC. And remember, the car has to be dead cold when you do it.

 

exhaust was at 0.011 and intake 0.008, i think I have too many decimals here

 

well I fixed the problem, readjusted valves on a cold engine and everything was back to normal. Who knows what could have happened. Thanks for your info !!!