LubedKoala

When should a valve adjustment normally be done? How can you tell?

Tx_Phantom

LMAO!

I theenk I'll wash it myself!

ken o

I have done a couple. It is not hard. You must take your time. This tool makes life so much easier.
http://www.amazon.com/Alltrade-648827-10mm...t/dp/B0002Q8TU0

mxt_77

Not sure what the Maintenance Schedule says... maybe 100K (as referenced in the title). Lots of people (especially those that drive the car hard) will recommend doing it more often (every 10-30K). How can you tell when it needs to be done? You'll hear a lot of valvetrain noise. Unfortunately, since the S2000 has a relatively loud valvetrain in general, it makes it much more difficult to determine if it's "louder than normal".

I can tell you this... I just did a valve adjustment on my Accord. It had 190K miles on it, and as far as I'm aware, it had never had a valve adjustment done (I know for a fact it hasn't had one in the last 50K miles). Every valve was within .001" of spec.

I can also tell you this.... my S2000 has about 17K miles on it, and I've probably done 10 valve adjustments on it (or more). Of course, each of those were due to my "tinkering" with camshafts & camshaft installations.

viets2k

Some people got confused and thought that they need valve adjustment when they S hit the 35k-40k miles mark since that's what the manual said or assuming that what the manual say....but remember only if it needed. Some people though they need valve adjustment because they just accidently over rev the engine or some days they felt like their S driving so slugish and they heard noise coming from the engine...maybe the injectors...belts or timing chain tentioner and assuming that the valves are ticking and need a valve adjustment.

You will know when you need a valve ajustment. It's a tick sound that will separate from the engine sounds, and you only need to do it when it needed otherwise you will be sorry . Even when you take the S to the dealer and ask them to do a valve adjustment(car still under warranty), They won't listen to you and do a valve adjustment on your car just as you asking them to do. They will inspect..check the gap and if everything was fine they just going to close the valve cover back and hand over the key to you and makes you think that they really did the valves adjustment for you.

"Here's the key sir. It's all done....have a nice day!"

marcucci

As Marcus has noted, you can go a long long time without one. The OE spec is pretty loose and the engine will tolerate a lot. I've done cars that had not had it done in as much as 150k miles, I've also done S's and Preludes that were brand new just to reduce the clearance a little and get each valve a little closer to the same.

Be careful when judging by noise, the OE spec is loose enough that all Hondas tick like a sewing machine to some degree. It's hard to tell by sound unless you reduce clearances to where it doesn't make noise anymore.

You can improve power some by tightening the clearance, though it's risky with the way oil quality has deteriorated (lack of anti-wear components), at least with non-roller rockers (like the Prelude).

I'll do a valve adjustment for anyone on any Honda for $65. I'll set it to whatever spec you like.

thatguyjosh

Hmmm.. that's a pretty good price. Where is your shop located?

Josh

viets2k

$65 for a valve adjustment job is a great price

LubedKoala

Oh ok. I don't think I need one then. Good to know though

kKdARIAN

I'd be interested in this too..

Where at? Appointment only?