Valve

[Thrlls]

Other than an irritating noise, what can happen if the valves are too loose and the car is still driven for a while...say 7k miles?
I thought I adjusted them, but I guess I made them too loose and now I don't want to drain all the oil and remove the valve covers if I can drive it this way until the next oil change.
I know what I should do, but I'm hoping I can hold if off for a while and just drive the car...it's been down too long as is.

Any thoughts, advice?

Mahalo!

[rnln]

either I or someone asked the same question and here are all the answers I remember:
- you should do it ASAP
- oil is cheap
- jack up the side you want to adjust the valves, do it one side after another. There will be very little oil come out when you flip the valve cover. In my case, there is only couple drops. I did jack it up high.
- 1 or 2 responses was: loose valves will only make the unpleasant noise, no damage.
I like the last response the most

[Thrlls]

Originally Posted by rnln

either I or someone asked the same question and here are all the answers I remember:
- you should do it ASAP
- oil is cheap
- jack up the side you want to adjust the valves, do it one side after another. There will be very little oil come out when you flip the valve cover. In my case, there is only couple drops. I did jack it up high.
- 1 or 2 responses was: loose valves will only make the unpleasant noise, no damage.
I like the last response the most

Thanks rnln, I appreciate your response.

I guess I should do it ASAP if only a little oil will be coming out...need to order those alum washers now...sheesh!
I like the last response also.

I did a search on valves...and it was endless.

[rnln]

Woody,
yes, you definitely need them. Some said you will need washers and nuts but base on my experience, and small pocket, I think you can get away with new nuts but you definitely need some washers, "or you will sit there all day to fix those old one". This is what a local PP member told me and he was correct.

[burgermeister]

I have re-used the nylocks and crush washers after I loused up the first adjustment and then had to go in again for round 2. I ended up replacing maybe 50% of them on the bottom rows on the exhaust side, as they started dribbling eventually. The rest stayed dry.

You can also get a few clean 1-gallon OJ jugs (they have a bigger opening than milk jugs) and drain the oil into them. Just set 'em inside the mega-drainpan and swap them when they get full. You'll loose maybe 1/2 quart between draining the sump and the tank.

[Thrlls]

Well I was going to start on this...but I got too busy with work and decided to have a shop do it instead. They did manage to save my oil...well at least that's what they told me.

Question:
What is the average charge for shop to charge to adjust valves?
I just want to know if I got ripped or not.

[HarryD]

Woody,

Then I did mine for the first time one side was noisy. After a bit, I jacked up that side and redid the adjustment. Only a few drops of oil was lost and I reused all of the old nuts and washers. 2,500 miles later and no leaks yet. Do not overtighten the nuts, just enough to make them snug and SLIGHTLY compress the aluminium washers.

[Thrlls]

Originally Posted by HarryD

Woody,

Then I did mine for the first time one side was noisy. After a bit, I jacked up that side and redid the adjustment. Only a few drops of oil was lost and I reused all of the old nuts and washers. 2,500 miles later and no leaks yet. Do not overtighten the nuts, just enough to make them snug and SLIGHTLY compress the aluminium washers.

Thank you Harry...I guess the tech was able to save my oil after all.

BTW I forgot to mention I was charged $400 for the job!