Honda K Series Valve Adjustment

[EricTheCarGuy]

I’ve done a few videos on valve adjustments. This one is for the K series engine found in many Hondas. I hope it helps if you’re looking to perform this service. Comments welcome.

Topic

[Michael]

Great video i always reallly like the valve adjustments videos lots of good information. And It reminds me to that i have to adjust my Valves on my car it has 139k so its way over due.

[Paul]

Slightly off topic: I recently replaced the plugs on a similar engine, and I had problems with the rubber insert int the spark plug socket sticking to the plug and not the socket. I couldn’t remove the rubber insert from the plug because of the depth of the plug well. So, I made an alternate tool by placing a small piece of 3/8-in ID fuel line, approximately 1.25-in long, onto the end of a 3/8-in extension. It works really well for installing and hand-tightening the plug into the head to prevent damage to the electrode strap. The piece of tubing should be long enough to grab the white insulator, but not long enough where the tubing bends and the plug is misaligned relative to the extension – to avoid cross-threading.

I got the idea from when ETCG used an old spark plug to temporarily block an open hose during another video.

[Brittney]

I’ve never actually adjusted valves on an engine or seen someone do it until now so this may be a dumb question but when you were adjusting them with the honda tool and the feeler gauge, did you need to loosen it up and then tighten as you adjusted? Was that just to ensure it wasn’t over tight?

[EricTheCarGuy]

[quote=”Hanneman” post=122236]Slightly off topic: I recently replaced the plugs on a similar engine, and I had problems with the rubber insert int the spark plug socket sticking to the plug and not the socket. I couldn’t remove the rubber insert from the plug because of the depth of the plug well. So, I made an alternate tool by placing a small piece of 3/8-in ID fuel line, approximately 1.25-in long, onto the end of a 3/8-in extension. It works really well for installing and hand-tightening the plug into the head to prevent damage to the electrode strap. The piece of tubing should be long enough to grab the white insulator, but not long enough where the tubing bends and the plug is misaligned relative to the extension – to avoid cross-threading.

I got the idea from when ETCG used an old spark plug to temporarily block an open hose during another video.[/quote]

That’s a great idea. Honestly though, the rubber inserts have been missing from my spark plug sockets for years and I’ve never had an issue. Better safe than sorry though.

[EricTheCarGuy]

[quote=”brittnee305″ post=122303]I’ve never actually adjusted valves on an engine or seen someone do it until now so this may be a dumb question but when you were adjusting them with the honda tool and the feeler gauge, did you need to loosen it up and then tighten as you adjusted? Was that just to ensure it wasn’t over tight?[/quote]

The exhaust valves were too tight for my feeler gauge. Therefore I needed to loosen those up a little to take the measurement. As long as you get them adjusted correctly in the end, it really doesn’t matter.

[Author]

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