ok. I just checked and adjusted my valve clearance on sunday. However I think that i used the feeler gauge incorrectly and thought the clearance was wrong and adjusted it when it was right . The only side i adjusted was on my exhaust side and only did it to 4 valves. The car doesn't feel any different in terms of acceleration but i makes a much more pronounced ticking while idling. In addition to checking valve clearance I also changed the sprak plugs to Bosch Platinum, and changed the oil. (checked oil today it is good) any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

if the ticking got louder then you did it wrong..... the ticking should have gotten quieter than before...... some people use the smallest feeler gauge that is in manufacturer specs, then make sure that fits and then make sure the largest gauge in manufacturer specs doesn't fit.......... HTH

 

it wasn't ticking as loud before. how much does this cost to have it professionally done?

 

It will probably cost $40-$50. For about that much, you could get the Helms Acura Shop manual, and a couple of sets of feeler gauges.
It's your choice, of course, but I like to encourage people to do simple jobs like this themselves. Figure if you spend the $ on the manual and tools, you will save that $50 every time you do it. You can impress your friends (and the opposite sex)as you tear down motors and race-prep them, all without setting down your beer OR leaving the barstool.

 

well it was kind of funny because when i did this the first time i was like wow i got this back together without screwing anything up. then *SNAP* ah **** i broke a bolt! I broke one of the posts that holds the valve cover on! apparently my friend is opposed to buying good torque wrenches.

Yeah thats right brian you should have just kept your digitorx!

 

I know the feeling. I spent 5 hours last night trying to get a new joystick to work on my computer....grrrrrrrrrrr.
And I wouldnt worry about the bolt that holds the cover - It can probably be easily replaced anyway.
Good luck on whatever you decide to do.

 

That happened to me the third time i did my valves. It was lame. Those bolts are crap. It was like 2 bucks at acura though, so you should replace it.

 

You sure you did it right? look here:

http://www.c-speedracing.com/howto/v...lveadjust.html

 

i didn't use angled feeler gauges which is probably why i adjusted them incorrectly.

thanks everyone
looks like i have a sunday morning project!

 

Next time use a 10mm socket on a 1/4" drive. You won't break or overtighten the bolts.

A torque wrench in in-lbs would be good to use also.

HTH.

 

That's what I was using!!! Lame, huh? Of course, my car is a 94, so i guess it was bound to happen.

 

You must have really cranked it on there as I couldn't over tighten the valve cover nuts on my car using the 1.4" drive. My 1/4" drive has only like a 6" handle, though....

 

I just bought a VALVE ADJUSTMENT TOOL from a Snap-On truck today...I will be trying it out tomorrow morning. I think it will make a large difference in how precise i can get it. I will put up an update tomorrow on how it did.

 

Buy some ARP bolts too.

 

Hmm...I just adjusted my Valves again...I used my new tool. Well, I think it did help a bit. It definately made the job easier. I have finally been able to get it ALMOST completely silent. So, to sum it up, if you plan on doing your valves often, i would invest in the tool. Since a lot of us drive pretty hard and try to adjust them every 8-10 thousand miles, I think it would be a good idea for a lot of people. Peace out Y'all.