Acura MDX Valve Adjustment

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I have a 2007 MDX with 3.7 V6 with VTEC. My wife's car recently burned a valve so I am motivated to have this service done on our MDX where I was going to chance it.

Acura Dealer quote is $375

My Subie guy(Master Tech Subaru with 25 years wrenching them) is only $65/hour but not sure of part entailed doing this(gaskets?). Is it worth saving $100 bucks or so and can any competent mechanic do a valve adjustment on a Honda v6?
 
Ask your Subie guy if he is comfortable doing the adjustment on the Acura, is he is then I would use him. If not go to the dealer. I had the Accords valves adjusted at 100K, worth it for peace of mind.
 
I'm also trying to figure out how/why a hydraulic lifter setup would require valve lash adjustment under normal operation. Not being a wiseguy, just doesn't make sense to me.
 
This vehicle does NOT have hydraulic lifter setup. The valve adjustment is via lock nut.

Frankly, 100K is way too early for needing valve adjustment on that engine especially if you had been good to the engine in terms of oil changes.

If you really want this to be done, then take it to the dealer and do make sure that the job is actually done. Do they have glass wall where you can actually see the technician working on your car? Otherwise, I can guarantee you that a properly performed valve adjustment at this mileage means you will notice zero difference in the running of the vehicle. Conversely, if the technician were to do a "wall job" (google it!) you will never know it :)

OK, I am jaded but if I am going to shell out $400 for labor charges, I need to be 100% sure that the work is done right.
 
Originally Posted By: rjundi
can any competent mechanic do a valve adjustment on a Honda v6?


Assuming you and I define "competent" the same way, yes, any competent mechanic can do a valve adjustment on a Honda V-6. Any competent DIYer can as well. It will probably require removal of the upper intake manifold plenum to get to the rear cylinder head. The upper plenum is dry and, to my knowledge, uses a reusable seal so it shouldn't be a big deal.
 
go to a indy Honda mechanic or maybe even a Honda dealer- that much for valve adjustment is crazy high. The procedure is not that hard or time consuming. You should be able to get it done for like $150.
 
Originally Posted By: tdpark
go to a indy Honda mechanic or maybe even a Honda dealer- that much for valve adjustment is crazy high. The procedure is not that hard or time consuming. You should be able to get it done for like $150.
Not on the Honda V6. Lot of stuff needs to come out and you need to check/adjust 24 valves. Unless you are in the boonies, you will not find anybody selling that service for $150.
 
Originally Posted By: benjamming
If the Subie guy isn't comfortable adjusting those valves, then I wouldn't trust him as "my" mechanic for anything.


There's a difference between having a generalist and a specialist doing the same job. Sure, the generalist can still do it, but he's likely to take longer and be a little less comfortable with the entire procedure. A specialist will know this job better, and is more likely to do it right the first time.
 
Quote:
This vehicle does NOT have hydraulic lifter setup. The valve adjustment is via lock nut.
True
Quote:
Frankly, 100K is way too early for needing valve adjustment on that engine especially if you had been good to the engine in terms of oil changes.
Did valve adj on my Honda V6. Some exhaust valves had zero clearance just over 105k miles. Oil changes every 5k. So about 100k miles is a good time for Honda V6 valve adjustment which is needed even if the engine is not making noise.
Quote:
If you really want this to be done, then take it to the dealer and do make sure that the job is actually done. Do they have glass wall where you can actually see the technician working on your car? Otherwise, I can guarantee you that a properly performed valve adjustment at this mileage means you will notice zero difference in the running of the vehicle.
True. Except wall jobs exist at dealer also. If you get misfire codes at 150K, valve adjustment is one of the causes
Quote:
Conversely, if the technician were to do a "wall job" (google it!) you will never know it :)
When the Honda dealer replaced my transmission, many fasteners of the plastic parts under the engine and trans were missing. Scrape, clunk, rub were some of the noises I heard. I wonder what else they missed. Wall job, sunshine job, bad job. So much for a good job at the dealer.
Quote:
OK, I am jaded but if I am going to shell out $400 for labor charges, I need to be 100% sure that the work is done right.
Maybe an indy Honda specialist that will be willing show you you a few minutes when he does the adjustment would be an adequate situation
 
Unfortunately, on my car the cams have to come out to replace the different thickness buckets. I wish I could get a valve adjustment for $450. I can get clearances checked for that price.
 
Originally Posted By: CBR.worm
Unfortunately, on my car the cams have to come out to replace the different thickness buckets. I wish I could get a valve adjustment for $450. I can get clearances checked for that price.


Yeah but those shimmed buckets are supposedly good to hold an in-spec clearance for the life of the engine, certainly much longer than a honda rocker arm pad/roller setup since the buckets are 'wear leveling' (ie they rotate in the bore so that one wear path is avoided and is kept even) and have much more friction area.
 
I watched a youtube video this afternoon of a mechanic adjusting the valves on a V6 Honda product. It looked almost exactly like my V6 Accord. There was nothing complicated about it, just a lot of work.

I'd judge it would take a mechanic about 2 hours to adjust the valves (and replace the spark plugs). It would take me all weekend! I've adjusted valves before but I'm pretty slow.

So if you have a good independent mechanic, who will charge by the (actual) hour, I'd go for that.
 
Originally Posted By: rjundi
I have a 2007 MDX with 3.7 V6 with VTEC. My wife's car recently burned a valve so I am motivated to have this service done on our MDX where I was going to chance it.

Acura Dealer quote is $375

My Subie guy(Master Tech Subaru with 25 years wrenching them) is only $65/hour but not sure of part entailed doing this(gaskets?). Is it worth saving $100 bucks or so and can any competent mechanic do a valve adjustment on a Honda v6?

What was the final outcome?
 
I sure hope that mechanic with 25yrs can do a simple valve adjustment. I did my integra for the first time and nailed it. Car is purring
 
Originally Posted By: Miller88
Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
The Honda v6 sohc doesn't have HLA?


Nope.


What the ****?

I can't wait to plunk down serious coin for a valve adjustment on my $45k SUV!

Clearly the same technology as my 1979 Corolla 2-TC engine.
 
Originally Posted By: CBR.worm
Unfortunately, on my car the cams have to come out to replace the different thickness buckets. I wish I could get a valve adjustment for $450. I can get clearances checked for that price.


Pretty much the same deal for a Subaru turbo DOHC.
 
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