Originally Posted by Shora (Post 599207)

Hi guys, I'm new here (and to Hondas). Anyways, I do most maintenance and repairs myself but I don't get this note in the manual (page 251) to check and adjust Valves at every oil change (every A,B, 1,2, or 3 if noisy).

That is a joke!

I did a search here and found no info.

Any advice? I would be very thankful.

Originally Posted by Carbuff2 (Post 599651)

A bit confusing, let me re-phrase:

The valve clearances are scheduled to be CHECKED when number 4 comes up on the Maintenance Minder. Otherwise, no action required, UNLESS THE VALVES ARE NOISY. Then, check them during an other service. (A, B, 1, 2, 3.) You don't have to make a special service appointment.

Feel better? BTW that info is on page 173 of the 2007 Owners Manual, online HERE:

https://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/...707O00166A.pdf

Originally Posted by Carbuff2 (Post 600011)

Didn't know you had an '09. Those owners manuals (with the same wording) are here:

https://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/...01_OMANUAL.asp


I've owned lots of Hondas and have never found the valve adjustments to be intimidating. I have always purchased the Helm shop manuals. (Now, you can get the official shop info online at www.helminc.com , only $10 for 3 days)

It looks to me as if the specified check and adjustment interval is around 5 years or 120,000 miles, since it comes at the same time as coolant replacement. (That's the same as the non-Maintenance Minder spec on the '06V.)

"Noisy valves" are those that "tick" as the engine runs. This indicates a loose condition (too much clearance at the rocker arm).

Some Honda engines (notably the B Series from the late 90s) get "tight" over time, due to valve seat recession. On those, the valve train is quiet until the valve burns and compression is lost. So I'm going to check the clearances every 30 - 40K miles.

The first time you check/adjust the valves, it might take you 2 hours. After you get comfy with the procedure you are talking only 45 minutes.

Originally Posted by Shora (Post 601137)

Good Info.


I need to just buy the 09 service manual (if I can find one) and see how complicated this is. I don't just want to open the engine to play around in there.

Originally Posted by Carbuff2 (Post 601903)

Why not just buy the 3-day $10 access from Helms (they sell the excellent OE shop manual)? Download everything you can...can't take THAT long (unless you are on dial-up, heehee).

:popc:

Let us know how that works out if you try it.

Originally Posted by manxman (Post 601922)

You can buy one at www.helminc.com. Unfortunately, this manual is MUCH more frustrating to use than the '07 manual was (I don't know about the '08, or the combo '07-'08) because I only owned the '07. It takes twice as long to find what you need in the '09 manual because there is no index. You have to do a lot of waste-of-time reading of page after page to find the specific info. that you are looking for. However, the cost of the book is worth it, because the info. you want is actually there, somewhere, without the easy guide of the missing index.

I bought the book just as soon as I found out that they were available, so have not used the above mentioned 3-day, $10.00 access. Maybe THAT one has an index. If so, it would be worth at least 10 visits.