Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Valve Train Analysis - Engine Running

Valve Train Analysis - Engine Running, Valves and Cylinder Head
^ Check for plugged oil drain back holes.
^ Check for missing or damaged valve stem seals or guide mounted valve stem seals.
^ Check for a plugged oil metering orifice in the cylinder head oil reservoir (4.6L engine only).

If insufficient oiling is suspected, check oil passages for blockage, then accelerate the engine to 1,200 rpm with the transmission in NEUTRAL and the engine at normal operating temperature. Oil should spurt from the rocker arm oil holes such that valve tips and camshaft roller followers are well oiled. With the valve covers off, some oil splash may overshoot camshaft roller followers.

Valve Train Analysis - Engine Running, Camshaft Lobe Lift
Check the lift of each camshaft lobe in consecutive order and make a note of the readings.
1. Remove the valve covers.
2. Remove the spark plugs.
3. Install the Dial Indicator Gauge with Holding Fixture so the rounded tip of indicator is on top of the camshaft lobe and on the same plane as the hydraulic lash adjuster.
4. Rotate the crankshaft using a breaker bar and socket attached to the crankshaft pulley retainer bolt. Rotate the crankshaft until the base circle of the camshaft lobe is reached.





5. Zero the dial indicator. Continue to rotate the crankshaft until the (1) high-lift point of the camshaft lobe is in the fully-raised position (highest indicator reading).
6. To check the accuracy of the original indicator reading, continue to rotate crankshaft until the (2) base circle is reached. The indicator reading should be zero. If zero reading is not obtained, repeat Steps 1 through 6.

7. NOTE: If the lift on any lobe is below specified service limits, install a new camshaft, and new camshaft roller followers.

Remove the Dial Indicator Gauge with Holding Fixture.
8. Install the spark plugs.
9. Install the valve covers.