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Page 359 of the owner's manual quotes, "Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if they are noisy." Can someone please define "noisy"? Come on Honda, you can do better than that. Modern cars have self adjusting valves. They do not need to be adjusted like the old cars back in the '60s and '70s. OK, buy a set of feeler gages for those DIY.
Noisy as in obvious/excessive valve train chatter. Which on the current direct injected L15B1s, will be a bit difficult to single out without a keen ear.
I could see most people doing it in the 100k to 120k mile range along with their spark plugs at the same time (I mean you're RIGHT there and the coil packs are off anyway).
I've typically do mine every 30k to 45k miles... BUT you already know how I drive and that was also prior to boost.
Page 359 of the owner's manual quotes, "Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if they are noisy." Can someone please define "noisy"? Come on Honda, you can do better than that. Modern cars have self adjusting valves. They do not need to be adjusted like the old cars back in the '60s and '70s. OK, buy a set of feeler gages for those DIY.
Probably goes back to Honda's origin as a motorcycle company. Yeah it's a pain. It's not like this is a racing engine that is squeezing every possible HP from 92 cubic inches and needs solid lifters to do it.
Heck, Harley-Davidson has had hydraulic lifters since 1948.
Most Hondas I've owned have exhaust valves that TIGHTEN as the miles go on. A tight valve is a silent killer. Ultimately, a tight valve will not close all the way and will burn, causing lack of compression and misfire codes.
Back in the 80s and 90s Honda recommended checking valve-lash every 6 to 12 thousand miles. They got dinged on maintenance costs by USA consumer magazines so they started with the phrase above. Honda also replace many cylinder heads on the B series engines as a result!
Nowadays, Honda uses roller tappet cam followers (rather than the flat tappet or sliding tappets on older engines). So, the adjustments stay in spec longer. But they STILL need to be checked.
I do mine every 50 - 60K miles and they always need some adjustment...you cannot just go 'by ear'.
"Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if they are noisy."
I think that's simply a misprint. It should really state:
"Pretend to adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if the customer is noisy and is making a nuisance of himself on this issue."
Exactly! And be sure to check "Adjusted Valves" on that 100-point Free Inspection sheet they always give you. They barely do the work they charge you for, let alone do a free multi-point inspection. Gimme a break!
Again, it's too bad they don't make a shop manual available to make valve adjustment easier.
Most Hondas I've owned have exhaust valves that TIGHTEN as the miles go on. A tight valve is a silent killer. Ultimately, a tight valve will not close all the way and will burn, causing lack of compression and misfire codes.
Back in the 80s and 90s Honda recommended checking valve-lash every 6 to 12 thousand miles. They got dinged on maintenance costs by USA consumer magazines so they started with the phrase above. Honda also replace many cylinder heads on the B series engines as a result!
Nowadays, Honda uses roller tappet cam followers (rather than the flat tappet or sliding tappets on older engines). So, the adjustments stay in spec longer. But they STILL need to be checked.
I do mine every 50 - 60K miles and they always need some adjustment...you cannot just go 'by ear'.
I'm glad to hear about the rollers. Where are the adjustment spec listed?
Again, it's too bad they don't make a shop manual available to make valve adjustment easier.
They do. It's just online and you have to pay for it.
When I get some free time, I'll pony up the one day fee and print out all the docs for pertinent info I'm interested in. With an 11 month at home, maybe in 18 years I'll get to it.
I have to check/adjust the valves on my motorcycle every 5000 miles.
I just set aside 2 hours in the afternoon when weather is nice, and do it in my garage.
A six pack and radio set to my favorite station...no distraction.
I think it is actually very therapeutic for me.
It's like I'm taking good care of her.
Maybe its placebo effect...but bike always seem to run smoother better afterwards...and life is good...the rest of the day is usually excellent.
Last edited by teamcheap; May 3, 2017 at 10:00 AM.
Come on Honda, you can do better than that. Modern cars have self adjusting valves. They do not need to be adjusted like the old cars back in the '60s and '70s. OK, buy a set of feeler gages for those DIY.
