Is there a time limit for valve adjustment?

[toddetch]

Hi everyone,

I can't remember exactly where I read it, maybe in Wayne's 101 Projects book, but I believe you are supposed to do a valve adjustment every 10,000 miles. First, let me know if that's wrong - I believe the owners manual says every 30,000 miles.

What I'm also wondering is whether there is a time limit. For example, oil is changed every 3,000 miles or 1 year; spark plugs I've read are every 30,000 miles or two years. I haven't seen any time limit on the valves. The thing is my valves were last adjusted just 6,300 miles ago, but that was 23+ years ago! The car was in storage for 15 years and obviously wasn't driven much between that adjustment and when I bought it last summer. What is the collective wisdom out there?

Thanks!

Todd

[proporsche]

Hi Tod..what you are talking about is mechanical part.If they do not move they do not change.
10k is basic for any valve adjsutments.Spark plugs is up to you i always changed them when doing complete service that is 10k-15 service.Oil change every 5000 miles not 3 000 that is for 912 Porsche.
Just wonder why was the 911 in storage for 15 years?Did you just started?Did you change the fuel lines, brake lines,clean the fuel tank change the fuel filter...You might have some oil leaks.If the 911 was just sitting most of the seals on engine did not get lubrication and will be dry..

Maybe give us more story to this 911...
ivan

[toddetch]

Thanks, Ivan. I recently spoke to the PO, and I'm not exactly sure why it was in storage (I think maybe he had too many other sports car - though why would store the Porsche and not something else is beyond me), I just know that it was in a temperature and humidity controlled garage. When it was taken out of storage they did go through everything - gas tank, fuel pump and filter, brakes, etc., etc. No appreciable leaks. The engine is really solid. I spent about two hours last Sunday going through all the old receipts making notes about when all the routine maintenance items were last done (date and mileage) in order to see what needed to be done - hence the question about the valve adjustment.

Given what you said, I would probably wait and do it next year since I expect to drive it 3000 miles (plus or minus) over the next year.

[proporsche]

Yup..wait if it is running 911..enjoy it and once you do service keep book notes of maintenance...
btw what is it?;-)post some pics everybody would like to see it...
Ivan

[john walker's workshop]

Every 15K is what I suggest, along with the full service. Sooner if there's any excessive ticking.

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by toddetch

Hi everyone,

I can't remember exactly where I read it, maybe in Wayne's 101 Projects book, but I believe you are supposed to do a valve adjustment every 10,000 miles. First, let me know if that's wrong - I believe the owners manual says every 30,000 miles.

What I'm also wondering is whether there is a time limit. For example, oil is changed every 3,000 miles or 1 year; spark plugs I've read are every 30,000 miles or two years. I haven't seen any time limit on the valves. The thing is my valves were last adjusted just 6,300 miles ago, but that was 23+ years ago! The car was in storage for 15 years and obviously wasn't driven much between that adjustment and when I bought it last summer. What is the collective wisdom out there?

Thanks!

Todd

If you have any doubt why not remove the valve covers and check each valve?
Just turn the engine over and check each one in turn. Do it a few times until you get a feel of what's normal for a each valve.

I hope I don't offend anyone but I really think our cars are often "over serviced".
... What I mean by that is often people do things that are not necessary thinking it will be a good thing.

Not directed at any one in particular but... If they don't need adjusting then don't adjust them.

[Bill Douglas]

As per what Peter said.

In 25 years of 911SC ownership; only half a dozen valves have needed adjusting.

The day before you do the valves, give the car an Italian tune, to burn off any carbon that may be sitting on the valve seats.

Read the book and get it to the correct position, as if you were going to adjust it, then push/wiggle it up and down. You will get a feel of how the clearance should be. Do this with all the valves. If one is doing a big clack clack, there may be still be some carbon on the valve seat. I'd do another Italian tune before adjusting the odd one.

[toddetch]

Thanks Bill and Peter. I agree with what Peter said about doing maintenance that isn't necessary - which is one reason why I asked to make sure I had the collective wisdom about the timing/mileage for a valve job. I will listen and observe!

[Canada Kev]

Well, it's not gonna hurt to adjust them, and getting in there and taking a look around is likely a good thing to ensure there are no surprises.Especially after two and a half decades. It'll cost you $35 for some gaskets.

[JSV798]

The valve adjustment may be OK but it would be a good idea to take off the valve covers and check the head bolts and that the rocker shafts haven't 'walked', something I will be doing shortly when I do an oil change. I expect I will be be shoving a feeler gauge in to the valve clearances while I'm about it as having done it several times before I don't regard it as a big deal.

[proporsche]

as Tod said... When it was taken out of storage they did go through everything - gas tank, fuel pump and filter, brakes, etc., etc. No appreciable leaks.

plus

The thing is my valves were last adjusted just 6,300 miles ago

No reason to do any work on valve adjustment i would say;-)

Ivan

[OsoMoore]

If you ever drop the engine, do a valve adjustment then while it is easy to get to. Doing them in-car is a pain - see if you can find a buddy who's already done one previously to show you the ropes.

[Chuck.H]

Nobody is going to like my answer, but I got tired of going in there time after time and finding they didn't need any adjustment... so I've stretched it out to like 50k miles, which for me is every 2 years or so. I drop the engine to do this, and usually fix a few oil or intake leaks at the same time and give it fresh spark plugs and a fuel filter, and a leakdown test.

Chuck.H
'89 TurboLookTarga, 438k miles