Valve Clearance: Adjustments
Valve Clearance AdjustmentNOTE: Adjust the valves only when the cylinder head temperature is less than 100°F (38°C).
1. Remove the intake manifold cover (A) and ignition coil cover (B).
2. Remove the vacuum hoses (A) and breather pipe (B), then remove the intake air duct (C).
3. Remove the throttle cable (A) and cruise control cable (B) by loosening the locknuts (C), then slipping the cable ends out of the accelerator linkage. Take care not to bend the cables when removing them. Always replace any kinked cable with a new one.
4. Remove the Evaporative Emission (EVAP) canister hose (A), breather hose (B), water bypass hoses (C), and water bypass pipe mounting bolt (D).
5. Remove the brake booster vacuum hose (A) and Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) hose (B).
6. Remove the P/S hose clamp (A), and disconnect the Intake Manifold Runner Control (IMRC) actuator connector (B), then remove the IMRC actuator (C).
7. Remove two bolts (A) securing the wire harness holder, then remove the joint connector (B).
8. Remove the engine wire harness connectors and wire harness clamps from the intake manifold.
- Intake Air Temperature (IAT) sensor connector
- Idle Air Control (IAC) valve connector
- Throttle position sensor connector
- Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor connector
- Evaporative Emission (EVAP) canister purge valve connector
9. Remove the six ignition coils.
10. Remove the upper cover (A), then remove the intake manifold assembly (B) and spacer (C).
11. Remove the cylinder head covers.
12. Set the No. 1 piston at TDC. Align the pointer (A) on the front upper cover with the No. 1 piston TDC mark (B) on the front camshaft pulley.
13. Select the correct thickness feeler gauge for the valves you're going to check.
Intake: 0.20 - 0.24 mm (0.008 - 0.009 inch)
Exhaust 0.28 - 0.34 mm (0.011 - 0.013 inch)
Adjusting screw locations
14. Insert the feeler gauge (A) between the adjusting screw (B) and the end of the valve stem and slide it back and forth; you should feel a slight amount of drag.
15. If you feel too much or too little drag, loosen the locknut (A), and turn the adjusting screw (B) until the drag on the feeler gauge is correct.
16. Tighten the locknut and recheck the clearance. Repeat the adjustment if necessary.
17. Rotate the crankshaft clockwise. Align the pointer (A) on the front upper cover with the No. 4 piston TDC mark (B) on the front camshaft pulley.
18. Check and, if necessary, adjust the valve clearance on No. 4 cylinder.
19. Rotate the crankshaft clockwise. Align the pointer (A) on the front upper cover with the No. 2 piston TDC mark (B) on the front camshaft pulley.
20. Check and, if necessary, adjust the valve clearance on No. 2 cylinder.
21. Rotate the crankshaft clockwise. Align the pointer (A) on the front upper cover with the No. 5 piston TDC mark (B) on the front camshaft pulley.
22. Check and, if necessary, adjust the valve clearance on No. 5 cylinder.
23. Rotate the crankshaft clockwise. Align the pointer (A) on the front upper cover with the No. 3 piston TDC mark (B) on the front camshaft pulley.
24. Check and, if necessary, adjust the valve clearance on No. 3 cylinder.
25. Rotate the crankshaft clockwise. Align the pointer (A) on the front upper cover with the No. 6 piston TDC mark (B) on the front camshaft pulley.
26. Check and, if necessary, adjust the valve clearance on No. 6 cylinder.
27. Reinstall all removed parts.