Well I did actually. I am just wondering if I damaged anything.

I adjusted the valves about 2 days ago, but as soon as I started driving it, I knew something was wrong. It made a high-pitched buzzing/ticking sound. It was quite annoying because the whole point was to get it to be more quiet. So I took off the valve cover again and took a little look-see. Turns out I didn't tighten the locking nuts enough on two of the intake valves. The nuts came completely off so the valves were free to do what the want. DOH!

So anyway I readjusted them and tightened the locking nuts really well (strangely enough they fell down right next to the valve. I thought they would have flown off in the engine somewhere). It sounds better now, but not great. It still ticks and buzzes more than before the valve adjustment.

Has anyone ever done this before? Did I damage anything permenantly?

 

My fist guess is you didn't damage it since you noticed it right away & didn't keep driving for a few days. But it still makes noise...

After you put the locknuts back on, did you torque them to spec or just tighten them? Most importantly, did you measure the valve clearances again (cold) after the locknuts were tightened?? When I do it, often the clearance changes when I tighten them, so I end up going back once or twice to get it right. Got a Helms manual? Sure you measured the clearance at the right place? (Above the valve stem for SOHC, I think.) If you check it again, then

How about other sources for the noise in the first place? Loose timing belt? Did you turn the engine backwards during the valve adjustment? (Sometimes that messes up the tensioner.) How about any loose components that you had to remove to get the valve cover off?

 

No I just tightened the locknuts, I do not have a torque wrench or whatever to find out if it is at spec. Yes I did re-check the valva clearence and it was good. I made sure each locknou was tight, and none of the adjusting screws could turn. I have a Helms manual and a Haynes manual.

The Haynes said to turn the crankshaft clockwise, then counter-clockwise. Is that bad? How can I fix it? The wires and distributor are back on properly. I am sure because the engine is running fine and had plenty of power.

 

Caugh up $90 and then have the Honda dealer do it for you. I sucks cause you have to leave the car overnite for proper adjustment though.

 

Well, the locknuts aren't real big, so just don't break 'em off. It's good that you checked clearances after they were tight.

Sometimes (not always) you either move the tensioner or skip a tooth if you turn the engine backwards. I imagine the Haynes said turn it clockwise only a bit? As long as you didn't jump timing, then all you need to do is check to see if the timing belt is too slack. Maybe that's your noise??

 

All the adjustment does is allow for the valve to expand under heat.

Even if the valve beat the rocker arm up a little bit (with no nut on it), you have the correct tolerance in there now with the deformation so it shouldnt matter.

It will be fine.