Adjusted the valves today

[sciphi]

Our 09 Fit got a valve adjustment today at 56k miles. It took me about 5 hours, since everything is covering the valve cover. That, and I was taking my time.

Our Fit supposedly got a valve adjustment at around 40k miles when it went in for a lost-motion-spring recall that included a valve adjustment. 4 out of the 16 valves needed adjusting, and then only by a tiny amount, so I guess it did get that valve adjustment. The intake and exhaust valves that were out of spec were just a hair tight.

I also checked the spark plugs since the coils had to come off to get clearance for my feeler gauge. One was loose enough to be turned out by hand! They looked good, though, so back in they went.

The car runs fine, and accelerates faster than I remember. So I guess job done.

 

[Bluestream]

Good Job!

 

[beast3300]

NICE!

 

[FirstNissan]

How often should valves be adjusted? Is there an indication/sign for it?

 

[sciphi]

Originally Posted By: FirstNissan
How often should valves be adjusted? Is there an indication/sign for it?


I did it as preventative maintenance. It's supposed to be done every 40-50k miles on a Fit, according to the service manual.

What worried me the most wasn't the valves. It was the spark plug being loose enough to turn out by hand. I'm glad I caught it, as it could have been a very expensive repair down the road if it ever ejected from the head.

 

[mechtech2]

Good work.
I hope you checked them dead cold, because warm/hot changes as you go from one to another.
Cold is consistent.
Any heat is not.

 

[rationull]

Nice. Took me longer than that on my 07 Civic even though the VC on the Fit is more buried (you have to take off part of the intake manifold, right?) and I didn't have any valves out of spec at 50k miles so didn't adjust anything.

Good catch on the plug. You figure they just didn't get tightened correctly at the dealer last time?

 

[zanzabar]

Originally Posted By: sciphi

I also checked the spark plugs since the coils had to come off to get clearance for my feeler gauge. One was loose enough to be turned out by hand! They looked good, though, so back in they went.


Do you think these truly are 100k plugs or should I think about changing mine at 80k or ???

 

[sciphi]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Good work.
I hope you checked them dead cold, because warm/hot changes as you go from one to another.
Cold is consistent.
Any heat is not.


Yes, the car had been sitting for a day before I tore into it.
Originally Posted By: rationull
Nice. Took me longer than that on my 07 Civic even though the VC on the Fit is more buried (you have to take off part of the intake manifold, right?) and I didn't have any valves out of spec at 50k miles so didn't adjust anything.

Good catch on the plug. You figure they just didn't get tightened correctly at the dealer last time?


Yes, I had to take off the cowl cover, airbox, throttle body, and upper intake manifold.

The plugs sure looked like 100k plugs to me. The gap was fine on all 4, and the coloring was fine. I'm going to swap them at 100k just to be safe.

I think either the dealer didn't tighten them fully when doing the LMS recall, or one worked itself loose. I've had plugs work loose before.

 

[Vikas]

You removed valve cover and did NOT take pictures? I hereby revoke your BITOG membership for two weeks

 

[sciphi]

Originally Posted By: Vikas
You removed valve cover and did NOT take pictures? I hereby revoke your BITOG membership for two weeks


I forgot. It was all shiny metal underneath. Must be running all that M1 for long periods of time!

I do think it has an injector issue. That oil reeked of fuel, and the analyses I've done of it have shown fuel dilution to be a slight concern.

 

[Vikas]

Think what will happen if you do not start the vehicle for couple of weeks. Fuel does not compress well!

I am not sure how you would go about to pinpoint the leaking injector though.

 

[The Critic]

Update, Honda seems to have quite a few reports of loose spark plugs backing out and causing damage on the V6 engines (search ridgeline and odyssey forums). The Fit forum does not seem to have many reports, but your experience of a loose plug is a bit disturbing.

I wonder if Honda had some issues with improper engine assembly at some point.

 

[cchase]

I checked the plugs on our V6 Accord several months ago. One of them was barely in the head. Interesting to read this on here now.

 

[VNTS]

What is flat rate book time for customer pay at Honda, must suck to still have to adjust valves this day and age.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: VNTS
What is flat rate book time for customer pay at Honda, must suck to still have to adjust valves this day and age.


It’s 1.5hr on the Honda 2.4L, and I think it is somewhere between 2.5 and 3 hours on the recent V6 models.

The Fit, even though it is a 4, is probably more than 1.5 since it requires removing the windshield cowl.

 

[surfstar]

I'm guessing at least 50% of Honda owners never have them adjusted and of those 80-90% never have a problem.
Just a wild-donkey guess, though.

I bought a used Civic w/ 142k on it, and I'm 90% sure the PO would have never done the valves unless they were presenting an issue. I won't touch them until I do the next t-belt at ~170k.

 

[PandaBear]

I adjust mine (Integra) around once every 30k, they do go slightly loose over time but not enough to cause any more problem than just getting noisier. IMO it would be a nice to have thing to do, but not necessary more than once every 120k.

 

[Hokiefyd]

I'll have to check the plugs on our MDX. Nearly 90,000 miles, and it's all original.

Valve adjustment is a non-issue. It's quick work, and it's enjoyable work for a DIYer. I prefer adjustable valves to the alternative (but we've had those discussions before...).

 

[thrace]

Not a non issue.
Quote:
Valve adjustment is a non-issue. It's quick work, and it's enjoyable work for a DIYer. I prefer adjustable valves to the alternative
Having done valve adjustment on a Honda V6 and others, I find that valve adjustment is an issue. It costs. The novice DIY can easily do it wrong. Maybe need to buy gaskets. Tools? Maybe. Time spent adjusting or going to the shop?
Acura valve adjustment pics. http://tl.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=854094

Some Honda manuals mistakenly lead the owner to believe that if valves do not make noise, they are likely not needing adjustment. This is not true. Tight valves can burn and damage valves and head. On old CRV, lack of valve adjustment has cost many owners a head rebuild. On V6 Hondas, the upper intake manifold must be removed to get the rear valve cover off. Not quick compared to hydraulic valve lifters that need no adjustment.

Expense is an issue for owners who do not DIY, about $400. And maybe an upsell for something else, maybe something not needed, to increase the repair bill. Lose use of your vehicle while in the shop. Spend time taking it to the shop. And so forth.