valve adjustment - how necessary is it?

Last week I got a tune-up at 160,000 miles. The mechanic didn't adjust the valves, nor did he adjust them at last tune-up (133,000). It's his opinion that valves don't need adjusting unless the car rides rough, which it doesn't. He knows that Honda recommends a valve adjstment every 15,000 miles , but thinks it doesn't make sense. Any opinions here? Thanks.

valve adj. should be done every 30k on hondas unless a "V6"...the technician obiously doesnt usually work on hondas..and if its a honda dealership he needs to go through Honda certification if he says that..your car needs valve adj. 30k, 60k, 90k, 120k..etc...GET THEM ADJ.!

I agree, have it done. Even if the car is running well better mileage and performance could be realized with the adjustment. A quieter engine is another possibility.

Here's the thing...you can never go wrong with a good valve adjustment...you will notice a difference even if you thought the ride 'felt fine'....dont wait till there's a problem to fix it...

In owners manual for 99 Accord, it says to "Inspect Valve Clearance" and the very first interval is scheduled for 105K, until then it says to "Adjust only if noisy". So according to the manual adjustment should be made only if valvetrain is noisy before the 105K mark. Same interval is used under Severe Driving conditions, as for the Normal Driving. So how noisy does it have to be? The check must be done whith the engine cold, so what kind of noise should one be looking for, from an already noisy cold engine? Mine makes chattering sound when cold, it could be the sound from the valvetrain but it goes away as engine warms up. I was told by an aging auto repair guru, that the noise from valves when cold means that there is clearance, it would be bad if there was no noise since it could mean that valves don't get to close all the way or something like that. So I guess I am looking for more insight into this valve noise , is it good or is it bad. Oh, and why wouldn't the owners manual say anything about valve adjustment every 30K.

Thanks much!

big waste of money

Local Honda dealer gave me an over the phone price of around $185 for the adjustment, said takes about 2 hrs. Should I do it?! So tempting I was intrigued by a few people saying earlier, that better performance may be realized. Although I think my 99 LX is doing well, I get 28-30 mpg. Any thoughts?

Ask around before u go spending unnecessary cash. It's not all that necessary IMO unless youre ride is totally off.

It's just that those super member guys from earlier posts got me worried, they said get it done even if the car is running well, which it is. I wana get to the bottom of this. Is it a waste of money or is it a good thing to get done? The Haynes repair manual says: "The valve clearance generally doesn't need adjustment unless valvetrain components have been replaced, or a valve job has been performed." If you got the car used, how would one know if anything had been done to the valves?

If it's never been done it is past due @ 133,000 miles. It's as simple as that! I think it would be worth your while to shop however.

Where did you dig that number up Tex? Just curious

quote:

ORIGINAL: FlyLow

Where did you dig that number up Tex? Just curious

That's called DUH! I should have said 160,000 miles, sorry.

I am only half way there, 80K

If you are concerned you can have the clearance checked. It is not that hard to do. Some of the noise could be injectors. My 03 sounds like it needs a valve adjustment but is just injector noise. On pre-03 4cyl the valve clearance should be at least checked every 105k. Prior to 98 it should be more often.

quote:

ORIGINAL: 7thGen

If you are concerned you can have the clearance checked. It is not that hard to do. Some of the noise could be injectors. My 03 sounds like it needs a valve adjustment but is just injector noise. On pre-03 4cyl the valve clearance should be at least checked every 105k. Prior to 98 it should be more often.

I can check clearance myself? What does your injector noise sound like? (describe if you can) Is it no cause for concern?

Thanks ahead of time

In response to a question of yours a few posts above:
Valves will have a slight bit of noise when cold because of the "lash" they are set to.
Valve lash is the clearance between the valve stem tip and the lifter, depends on the
engine but probably around .030 cold. This produces a noise when the engine is cold
because the lifters start moving before they contact the valves, so when they do they
give them a little smack. It makes a light pitter patter sound really fast like a bunch of
tapping.
Every engine needs cold lash because as it heats up the whole valve train grows. The valves
get a little longer, the cam gets a little fatter, etc. If the cold lash was set to zero you would
have valves sticking open when it was hot.

Setting lash is not hard, just intimidating if you've never done it because under the valve
cover on an dual cam engine it looks scary. It's really just a matter of getting some feeler
guages and tightening a bolt at the correct spot.

If it ain't giving you problems don't worry about it. The only possible effect of not re-adjusting
the valves on a high mileage engine is slightly less valve lift due to the wear on the cam and
follower. We're talking thousands of lift here. Maybe a horsepower or two at redline.

quote:

ORIGINAL: FlyLow

Local Honda dealer gave me an over the phone price of around $185 for the adjustment, said takes about 2 hrs. Should I do it?! So tempting I was intrigued by a few people saying earlier, that better performance may be realized. Although I think my 99 LX is doing well, I get 28-30 mpg. Any thoughts?

your local dealer is full of POOP..$ 185 is way way too much,, a new gasket is around 11 dollars and delers charge 1 hr for valve adjustment so it depends on their hourly rate 70-80- dollars per hr ??
get an adjustment every 30k..money well spent ,

Interesting.. This dealer also sells Mercedes cars maybe that's why the estimate so high, I am just guessing for now though it's a bit late to call. Although I can't decide who is more right on this thread, the ones who say it's a waste of money adjusting valves, or the ones that are all about it. I believe a tie breaker is in order .

P.S. Sorry about your team earlier today Desert, go Bears!

I just wondering ... We need to ajust on cold or hot engine ? and how much the clearance ? in and out ?
thank you

quote:

ORIGINAL: Sendal

I just wondering ... We need to ajust on cold or hot engine ? and how much the clearance ? in and out ?
thank you

If you go to the DIY there is a HOW TO write up with step by step infos ..

Valve adjustment is always done on a cold engine. From Huey Honda in St louis it was $125 in June 05 total including a new gasket/tube seal set. and oil change and 10% discount since my car has over 100k on it.

Thank you all for providing good knowledge, this forum was good to learn about the car. I read the article for how to do the valve adjustment. Only thing I have confusion with was clearance in model year 94 to 97. service manual shows INTAKE 0.26mm(0.010in) plus or minus 0.02mm, and EXHAUST 0.30mm(0.012in) plus or minus 0.02 mm. which numbers are correct ????? I think DO IT YOURSELF shows lot smaller number than this.

quote:

ORIGINAL: deserthonda

quote:

ORIGINAL: Sendal

I just wondering ... We need to ajust on cold or hot engine ? and how much the clearance ? in and out ?
thank you

If you go to the DIY there is a HOW TO write up with step by step infos ..

if you've got the numbers from a service manual and it's the right manual then stick with them and you'll be fine

quote:

ORIGINAL: accordfan222

Thank you all for providing good knowledge, this forum was good to learn about the car. I read the article for how to do the valve adjustment. Only thing I have confusion with was clearance in model year 94 to 97. service manual shows INTAKE 0.26mm(0.010in) plus or minus 0.02mm, and EXHAUST 0.30mm(0.012in) plus or minus 0.02 mm. which numbers are correct ????? I think DO IT YOURSELF shows lot smaller number than this.

quote:

ORIGINAL: deserthonda

quote:

ORIGINAL: Sendal

I just wondering ... We need to ajust on cold or hot engine ? and how much the clearance ? in and out ?
thank you

If you go to the DIY there is a HOW TO write up with step by step infos ..

you are correct i went back and checked it out i should have said .010 and .012 inc instead of mm ..thanks for bringing it up,, i will change it

one thing to note that even if your valves are NOT making any noise the lash should be checked and adjusted at the intervil that honda states simply because if they are too tight, they will still wear without making any noise........Also some F series motors are just plain noisey due to excessive wear on valve train component that does not affect engine life.... just makes it noisey