Tapping Valve--Whats the worst that can happen

[riot8ap]

Is this ending my 176,000 mile 91 Civic engine early or merely embarrasing at stop lights?

 

[Drew99GT]

Have you had your valve lash adjusted? That's probably in order. Your not going to kill your engine by letting it go, but you will gain performance back if the lash is really high.

 

[Schmoe]

Lash is usually caused by wear, so what your hearing is the pushrods' gap distance before hitting the actual lifter. So, the longer it stays like it is now, 2 things might happen: 1. noise may get louder and 2. engine may start running rougher at idle, will probably smooth out as the rpms go up.

 

[goatman]

Well if it was a subaru I would say don't worry about it, but I dont know as much about Hondas.

Schmoe, pushrods....on a honda? I thought they were overhead cam?

 

[Schmoe]

I hear you goatman, wasn't sure if in 91 Civics were using OHC. If so, nevermind.

 

[JTK]

You will eventually burn some valves by letting it go too long with out a valve lash adjustment. With excessive valve lash, your valves dont seat long enough to cool properly, causing burnt valves. $$$

G/luck
Joel

 

[Drew99GT]

quote:

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Originally posted by JTK:
You will eventually burn some valves by letting it go too long with out a valve lash adjustment. With excessive valve lash, your valves dont seat long enough to cool properly, causing burnt valves. $$$

G/luck
Joel

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Ah, what? They will stay on the seat LONGER with excessive valve lash. That's why it is bad to adjust them too tight, as they may not even fully stay on the seat when the cam is on it's base circle.

 

[JohnnyO]

My first car was a '68 Firebird with valve tap. It was not very well maintained before I bought it. I got the top half apart and found one lifter with a hole worn through the bottom.

 

[JTK]

quote:

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Originally posted by Drew99GT:
Ah, what? They will stay on the seat LONGER with excessive valve lash. That's why it is bad to adjust them too tight, as they may not even fully stay on the seat when the cam is on it's base circle.

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Ooops.. Thanks Drew! I had that backwards 1am thinking going on

Joel