Running hot after Valve Adjustment

mschuep · 07-19-2005, 04:29 AM

Just adjusted the valves, took the car for a quick spin last night and everything seemed fine. Heard a knock every once in a while, I figured I misadjusted a sticky valve. Decided to take the car to work so I could get the oil hot on the way home so I could drain today, and adjust again tomorrow.

On the way to work the battery light came on, and the car got continually hotter. When I arrived I was way too close to the red for my liking. Car was smoking quite a bit, but I think a lot of that was from oil/grime I probably got on the muffler, etc. when adjusting the valves.

Anything I could have screwed up in there relating to the battery/engine heat regulation? Would a valve being too loose cause something like this to happen? Usually the car runs at about 7-8 oclock, today I was around 10 oclock.

Thanks for your help guys

-Matt

David · David's Garage

If your valves are too tight they won't cool correctly. The valves dissipate heat into the valve seats.

mschuep · 07-19-2005, 04:41 AM

How easily should the feeler gauge slide in and out when adjusting?

bell · bell's Garage

if the battery came on then that may be a different problem, check your fan belt, it may be slipping or worse yet not spinning the fan.

mschuep · 07-19-2005, 05:11 AM

Good call bell. The belt is, shall we say, bent out of shape. Hopefully I can get it back to where it is spinning the fan so I can get it 20 miles home, naturally the factory kit with spare belt is in my garage.

bell · bell's Garage

did you make it home? you NEVER want to drive an air-cooled 911 without the fan spinning, this can destroy an engine if it isn't caught in time.

and oh yea....welcome to the board