Setting valve lash, 1st timers experience |
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Setting valve lash, 1st timers experience |
emerygt350 |
Jun 15 2022, 03:34 PM
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#1
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 2,410 Joined: 20-July 21 From: Upstate, NY Member No.: 25,740 Region Association: North East States |
The one job I have not done yet. The car is running perfectly, quiet, smooth, lots of power, but it hasn't been done since I bought it last year and the previous owner passed away back in 2017 (sat for years). There was all kinds of strange stuff from the interim when the family was trying to get it going again to sell so I seriously doubt they did anything like set the lash.
I have probably put 3000 miles on it. Some autocross, mostly just twisties in the hills and mountains. It's running so well, and the valve covers are not leaking... Should I check it? I have the extra thick gaskets from 914rubber sitting there waiting. |
brant |
Jun 15 2022, 03:55 PM
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#2
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914 Wizard Group: Members Posts: 11,739 Joined: 30-December 02 From: Colorado Member No.: 47 Region Association: Rocky Mountains |
yes
3000 miles is when I check mine especially if it hasn't been done since the previous owner too tight.. doesn't make noise but is worse than a noisey too loose situation |
fixer34 |
Jun 15 2022, 04:23 PM
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#3
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,160 Joined: 16-September 14 From: Chicago area Member No.: 17,908 Region Association: Upper MidWest |
A very wise old VW mechanic once said "no man is too rich to not adjust his own valves..."
There are plenty of threads on here how to do it. Always 'cold'. |
930cabman |
Jun 16 2022, 10:46 AM
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#4
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 3,545 Joined: 12-November 20 From: Buffalo Member No.: 24,877 Region Association: North East States |
Somewhat like getting your annual physical or colonoscopy, have your blood drawn, ...... assuming all is good you are good to go. OR find something out and correct it. Same with your home, it's all maintenance.
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emerygt350 |
Jun 16 2022, 11:50 AM
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#5
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 2,410 Joined: 20-July 21 From: Upstate, NY Member No.: 25,740 Region Association: North East States |
The past two mornings I have gone out and stared at it but just couldn't get myself up to do it.
I have been reading all the different tips and tricks posts but I haven't seen a great "here is the best way to get to the hard to reach cylinders. One guy suggested pulling off the fresh air pipes. Is that good to do? Sounds like a pain. Taking off the rear wheels looks smart. I think colonoscopy describes about how excited I am about doing this. |
brant |
Jun 16 2022, 11:52 AM
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#6
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914 Wizard Group: Members Posts: 11,739 Joined: 30-December 02 From: Colorado Member No.: 47 Region Association: Rocky Mountains |
get a cheap 10$ remote starter switch from your flaps...
helps a lot since you won't have to get out from under the car repeatedly also use the captn' Krusty method way quicker... I don't pull any tin off its possible to access ... just tight. brant |
930cabman |
Jun 16 2022, 12:21 PM
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#7
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 3,545 Joined: 12-November 20 From: Buffalo Member No.: 24,877 Region Association: North East States |
Does anyone get excited for having a colonoscopy?? probably someone out there, and they are probably way out there.
When things are well and it sounds as they are, we can easily get lazy and defer to another day. I have not seen the Cap'n method, hopefully someone will post the thread |
brant |
Jun 16 2022, 12:25 PM
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#8
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914 Wizard Group: Members Posts: 11,739 Joined: 30-December 02 From: Colorado Member No.: 47 Region Association: Rocky Mountains |
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emerygt350 |
Jun 16 2022, 12:26 PM
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#9
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 2,410 Joined: 20-July 21 From: Upstate, NY Member No.: 25,740 Region Association: North East States |
Yes, just read that again but it doesn't really mention any tips or tricks on getting at the 2 and 4 cylinders for example. Or am I just over planning this?
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brant |
Jun 16 2022, 12:55 PM
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#10
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914 Wizard Group: Members Posts: 11,739 Joined: 30-December 02 From: Colorado Member No.: 47 Region Association: Rocky Mountains |
Don’t know that there is any trick
You can get your arm in from the back. And reach everything I bought a short 14mm box open which helped a little compared to a standard 14mm |
fiacra |
Jun 16 2022, 02:02 PM
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#11
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Person.Woman.Man.Camera.TV Group: Members Posts: 409 Joined: 1-March 19 From: East Bay Region - California Member No.: 22,920 Region Association: Northern California |
get a cheap 10$ remote starter switch from your flaps... helps a lot since you won't have to get out from under the car repeatedly also use the captn' Krusty method way quicker... I don't pull any tin off its possible to access ... just tight. brant (IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) Don't be intimidated by doing this and don't put it off. I've been doing it for years on my VW's so the first time I did it on a 914 was not that different, but I do remember that it was a bit confusing the first time it did it on a Bug. After that it was pretty easy. Those were the days before YouTube videos so now you'll have an advantage I didn't have. It's tight on a 914, but better that than having tight valves. They do need to be checked and adjusted regularly and you can't just ignore them or rely on how they sound. Just take your time, and you'll find you'll get the hang of it. I like Krusty's method, but as an alternative you can simply see which valve is moving on one side of the engine then adjust that valve on the opposite side of the engine. So, for example, if a valve on cylinder #2 is moving you can adjust the corresponding valve on cylinder #4. That's how I was taught to do it by the Porsche mechanic I worked with for a few months. Other methods work fine as well, but I like not having to get out from under the car every time. I helps a lot to get it up in the air, but make sure it is FIRMLY supported and the front wheels are chocked. I take the rear tires off and make sure I have a really good light source. Have a beer afterward, but not before (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) |
mgphoto |
Jun 16 2022, 02:14 PM
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#12
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"If there is a mistake it will find me" Group: Members Posts: 1,363 Joined: 1-April 09 From: Los Angeles, CA Member No.: 10,225 Region Association: Southern California |
I raise the rear so the wheels are off the ground and I can fit my large body under the car.
I take 1 wheel off, the side that will shine the most light under the car, the other wheel I remove the pin for the cable to the e brake at the wheel, that wheel I use to rotate the engine from under the car, after pulling the hand brake lever, I usually set the car in 3rd gear. The non driven wheel must be immobilized, unless you have a LSD, or the opposite wheel will spin. If 3rd is to difficult, it really shouldn’t be, go to 4th more revs on the wheel to turn the engine. From here it’s the Cap’s method all the way. |
emerygt350 |
Jun 16 2022, 02:54 PM
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#13
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 2,410 Joined: 20-July 21 From: Upstate, NY Member No.: 25,740 Region Association: North East States |
Sounds good. Maybe tomorrow morning I will have the courage.
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emerygt350 |
Jun 16 2022, 03:19 PM
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#14
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 2,410 Joined: 20-July 21 From: Upstate, NY Member No.: 25,740 Region Association: North East States |
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VaccaRabite |
Jun 16 2022, 05:34 PM
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#15
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En Garde! Group: Admin Posts: 13,554 Joined: 15-December 03 From: Dallastown, PA Member No.: 1,435 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
Pull out your spark plugs. You want them out so you can spin the motor easier.
Put a block or a ramp or something under one wheel. Leave the other wheel free standing. Put the car in 5th gear. You can now turn the motor by spinning the raised wheel. It’s tight under the car, but there are only 2 valves that I usually have to think about before getting them. And it’s always just remembering where my arm needs to go to get to them. When I remember that, they are easy to reach. Zach |
Van B |
Jun 16 2022, 07:55 PM
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#16
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,616 Joined: 20-October 21 From: Maryland Member No.: 26,011 Region Association: None |
I did mine and it wasn’t bad. On the front cylinders I had to sneak up on them with the shim from the side. I had a long and short screw driver based on the obstructions I needed to clear… basically the handle would be in a way that I couldn’t get my hand on it. For tightening the nut, with a good grip on the screw driver, I could get it tight enough with a box end wrench that final torque with a torque wrench didn’t change the settings.
Only had three valves that were too tight and I could tell it was from a poor adjustment from the shop the PO used. Also, not to contradict Zach, but I didn’t pull the plugs. I just put a clamp on one wheel disc so it wouldn’t rotate and spun the other with the car in fifth. |
burton73 |
Jun 16 2022, 09:11 PM
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#17
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burton73 Group: Members Posts: 3,655 Joined: 2-January 07 From: Los Angeles Member No.: 7,414 Region Association: Southern California |
For me this was not difficult but is was 40 years ago. On the ground on my back
Best Bob B (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sunglasses.gif) |
GregAmy |
Jun 17 2022, 05:47 AM
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#18
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 2,385 Joined: 22-February 13 From: Middletown CT Member No.: 15,565 Region Association: North East States |
Next time your engine is out (wait, "next time"? lol) install chromoly pushrods. Zero lash makes life much easier to adjust.
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emerygt350 |
Jun 17 2022, 08:45 AM
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#19
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 2,410 Joined: 20-July 21 From: Upstate, NY Member No.: 25,740 Region Association: North East States |
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VaccaRabite |
Jun 17 2022, 09:14 AM
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#20
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En Garde! Group: Admin Posts: 13,554 Joined: 15-December 03 From: Dallastown, PA Member No.: 1,435 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
Look to be standard aluminum rods.
Steel would have press fit ends , and would be magnetic. Zach |
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