Rich Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 The spark plugs are due a change in the Accord and the service book says the valve clearance needs checking at the same time, every 25k miles. Is this essential and how do you go about checking them, is it something I can do? I have never done this before on any car I've owned so I'm wondering just how important it is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parthiban Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 It doesn't look like something I'd have a go at but if this link is representative it doesn't look too difficult. http://www.vtec.net/articles/view-article?article_id=143824&page_number=3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMARTLY Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 I used to do them on my older cars, no problem at all. But I expect it might be a bit different on more modern engines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted January 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 It doesn't look like something I'd have a go at but if this link is representative it doesn't look too difficult. http://www.vtec.net/articles/view-article?article_id=143824&page_number=3 Nice link, I did find one guide on the Accord forum but the photos were missing. Looks like I just need feeler gauges and a honda valve adjustment tool, although I can't seem to find them for sale over here, just the US. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tango Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 It doesn't look like something I'd have a go at but if this link is representative it doesn't look too difficult. http://www.vtec.net/articles/view-article?article_id=143824&page_number=3 Nice link, I did find one guide on the Accord forum but the photos were missing. Looks like I just need feeler gauges and a honda valve adjustment tool, although I can't seem to find them for sale over here, just the US. You should be able to do it with a screwdriver, ring spanner, and feeler gauges. I imagine the Honda valve adjustment tool is just a combination tool. Take the rocker cover off and have a look Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMARTLY Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 is this your engine? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7wI4EtZSaA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted January 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 Looks like you can just use a spanner and screwdriver from that video, that'll do. No it's not my engine, the US Accord is different to the UK one, the equivalent is the TSX I think. A local Jap specialist garage will charge me £65 to check and adjust them. They said the Civic would be done when the cambelt is changed if I get them to do it. I think with abit of time and patience (plus nice weather) I should be fine. The only problem is listening to the engine afterwards with my hearing, I can't really hear when engines make knocking, ticking or tapping sounds. As long as the feeler gauge is a snug fit it should be fine I would've thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMARTLY Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 As long as you remember the different setting for inlet and exhaust ( if yours are different ) then should be OK. You must recheck them when you have done them all as sometimes when you tighten the nut the valve moves regardless of you holding it with the screwdriver. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liner33 Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 I'd pay £65 to be honest , its a fiddly job , they wont be loose but more likely too tight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tango Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 Looks like you can just use a spanner and screwdriver from that video, that'll do. No it's not my engine, the US Accord is different to the UK one, the equivalent is the TSX I think. A local Jap specialist garage will charge me £65 to check and adjust them. They said the Civic would be done when the cambelt is changed if I get them to do it. I think with abit of time and patience (plus nice weather) I should be fine. The only problem is listening to the engine afterwards with my hearing, I can't really hear when engines make knocking, ticking or tapping sounds. As long as the feeler gauge is a snug fit it should be fine I would've thought. Rich, have you ever tried resting a screwdriver or similar on the block and holding the handle end against your ear? Just a thought as the sound then travels through the bone structure rather than the ear drum. Only trouble is you hear additional noises that are not readily heard normally Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted January 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 As long as you remember the different setting for inlet and exhaust ( if yours are different ) then should be OK. You must recheck them when you have done them all as sometimes when you tighten the nut the valve moves regardless of you holding it with the screwdriver. Thanks for the tip and yep I'll get the measurements first before (if) I give this a go. I'd pay £65 to be honest , its a fiddly job , they wont be loose but more likely too tight I don't want to do it myself just to save money but to learn how to do it as well. It is just a few nuts and bolts at the end of the day. If I take my time what can go wrong? Rich, have you ever tried resting a screwdriver or similar on the block and holding the handle end against your ear? Just a thought as the sound then travels through the bone structure rather than the ear drum. Only trouble is you hear additional noises that are not readily heard normally No I haven't and it's an interesting idea, I might give that a try and see what happens. The only thing it might do it amplify the normal engine sound so it's still too loud for me to hear anything else. I can't even hear if the air con compressor clicks on or off! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liner33 Posted January 28, 2014 Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 I'd pay £65 to be honest , its a fiddly job , they wont be loose but more likely too tight I don't want to do it myself just to save money but to learn how to do it as well. It is just a few nuts and bolts at the end of the day. If I take my time what can go wrong? What could go wrong , well it might not run right , or you might burn a valve out or potentially ruin the engine Its not rocket science no, but its fiddly turning the engine over to tdc each time , much easier if the belt covers are off ie after a belt change . Its rare to need to do it on a modern engine but as I said valve clearance CLOSE over time so you wont hear it tapping Rather than a screwdriver invest in one of these , really useful http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mechanics-Stethoscope-Car-Engine-Diagnostic-Tool-Van-/200632916370?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item2eb6a75992 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tango Posted January 28, 2014 Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 Rather than a screwdriver invest in one of these , really useful http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mechanics-Stethoscope-Car-Engine-Diagnostic-Tool-Van-/200632916370?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item2eb6a75992 Not the same method. My suggestion was to transmit the sound through Rich's bone structure, not his eardrums. Good tool though, and cheap so I've ordered one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted January 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 Yeah I don't think that would work for me, although putting it behind my ear could possibly work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liner33 Posted January 28, 2014 Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 On your jawbone would work but for the third time , incorrect valve clearances dont tap anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted January 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 On your jawbone would work but for the third time , incorrect valve clearances dont tap anyway Second time actually! I'm gonna have a think about whether I want to have a go at doing this. The engine's not going to go bang (I hope) if I don't check them on time. What symptoms do you get if they're not set correctly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liner33 Posted January 28, 2014 Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 Post 9 , post 12 , post 15 = 3 Can effect idle , will generally make the engine less efficient Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.