[Otter74]

It's major-service time for my car, as there are a variety of things that it is due for, including an oil change. My valves were last adjusted 10,000 miles ago, on the day I picked the car up. I understand 10k-15k is the appropriate interval for checking the valves; I drive it about 4-5k per year.

In April I had an emergency brake caliper rebuild done by a good 911 mechanic in Nashville (Wicky Lawrie) as I was on my way to Atlanta. After pulling my car into the shop, he commented that the valves sounded a slightly noisy to him and it might be worth checking them. To his ear, one cylinder was also noisier than the rest. In his opinion it wasn't urgent, but he was picky enough about that that if it were his car he would do it because listening to it would annoy him.

So as I prepare to put my car up on stands for a bit to change the oil, check the plugs, replace some fuel lines, rebuild the other front caliper, work on the pedal cluster, etc. I ask myself whether I should check the valves and adjust as needed. It will be my first time and I am not afraid of the task, but all the same, if I don't need to do it now I'd just as soon not. Partly because I'd have to order a gasket set and feeler gauges, etc. which means waiting another week. For all I know they're all within spec, just on the loose side (I recall the spec is .04 +/-.02, which is a pretty big range)

Should I just do it, or is there any harm in waiting until my next oil change? I did take a video of the car idling that I will upload, though it may be a bit hard to hear the valves over the high idle (car is cold), fan and exhaust.