VALVE CLEARANCE ADJUSTMENT
Note. Adjust valve clearance with engine cold.
| CAUTION | Ensure fuel system pressure has been properly released. See FUEL PRESSURE RELEASE . |
Scheme 37
Scheme 38
Scheme 39
- Remove lower engine cover. Drain cooling system. Remove front exhaust pipe.
- Disconnect heater hose. Remove air cleaner assembly. Remove spark plug wires, ignition coils and spark plugs.
- Disconnect cruise control cable, if equipped. Disconnect accelerator cable. Disconnect throttle cable (A/T).
- Disconnect brake booster hose, EVAP canister hose, and 4WD vacuum hose, if equipped. Disconnect fuel return and inlet hoses.
- Remove intake chamber support brace. Remove upper (No. 2) timing belt cover. See «TIMING BELT»(ref-8778-S32319182122000092200000) under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.
- Disconnect throttle position sensor connector, IAC valve connector, both PCV hoses and air assist hose from throttle body. Remove 4 bolts and 2 nuts, and remove air intake chamber assembly and gasket.
- Unbolt engine wire from rear of intake. Disconnect fuel return hose. Disconnect vacuum sensing hose from port at rear of intake. Disconnect ground strap from intake air connector. Disconnect Data Link Connector 1 (DLC1) from bracket. Remove 3 bolts, 2 nuts, and remove intake air connector assembly and gasket.
- Disconnect 6 fuel injector connectors, ECT sensor connector, and ECT sender gauge connector. (Scheme 37) Remove 2 engine harness clamps from engine.
- Remove remaining hoses, wires and components as needed to access valve covers.
- Rotate crankshaft clockwise (viewed from front of engine) so cylinder No. 1 is at TDC on compression stroke and timing mark (groove) on crankshaft pulley aligns with "0" mark on lower timing belt cover. Cylinder No. 1 is the front cylinder on right side when viewed from rear of engine. (Scheme 38)
- Ensure timing marks with the one dot on camshaft gears are aligned. (Scheme 39) If timing marks are not aligned, rotate crankshaft clockwise one complete revolution.
- Using feeler gauge, measure and record valve clearance between valve lifter and camshaft on intake valves of cylinders No. 1 and 6, and exhaust valves on cylinders No. 2 and 3. Perform STEP 1 in illustration. (Scheme 38) Ensure valve clearance is within specification. See «VALVE CLEARANCE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-8778-S40261776732000092200000) table.
- Rotate crankshaft clockwise an additional 2/3 turn (240 degrees). Measure and record valve clearance between valve lifter and camshaft on intake valves of cylinders No. 2 and 3, and exhaust valves on cylinders No. 4 and 5. Perform STEP 2 in illustration. (Scheme 38) Ensure valve clearance is within specification. See «VALVE CLEARANCE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-8778-S40261776732000092200000) table.
- Rotate crankshaft clockwise an additional 2/3 turn (240 degrees). Measure and record valve clearance between valve lifter and camshaft on intake valves of cylinders No. 4 and 5, and exhaust valves on cylinders No. 1 and 6. Perform STEP 3 in illustration. (Scheme 38) Ensure valve clearance is within specification. See «VALVE CLEARANCE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-8778-S40261776732000092200000) table. VALVE CLEARANCE SPECIFICATIONS (1) Application In. (mm) Exhaust Valve.011-.014 (.27-.35) Intake Valve.006-.009 (.15-.22) (1) Adjust valve clearance with engine cold.
- If valve clearance requires adjustment, rotate crankshaft so camshaft lobe on valve to be adjusted is facing upward, away from valve lifter. Position notch on valve lifter at 90-degree angle to camshaft. Ensure notch on valve lifter is not aligned with camshaft.
- Using Valve Clearance Adjuster and SST "A" of valve clearance adjuster, push downward on valve lifter. (Scheme 40)
- Place SST "B" between camshaft and valve lifter with side marked with a "7" or "9" in proper location, depending on valve and cylinder application. (Scheme 40) Remove SST "A".
- Using small screwdriver and magnet, remove adjusting shim. Measure and record thickness of removed adjusting shim. Using measured clearance and adjusting shim thickness, select proper replacement adjusting shim. (Scheme 41)and (Scheme 42).
- Install replacement adjusting shim with imprinted number on adjusting shim facing downward, toward valve lifter. Recheck valve clearance. Before installing valve cover and gasket, apply sealant at front and rear areas of cylinder head. (Scheme 43)
- If spark plug tube gasket in valve cover requires replacement, bend gasket retaining tab upward. Using hammer and drift, tap spark plug tube gasket from valve cover. Use care not to scratch valve cover sealing surface.
- Using 32-mm socket and hammer, tap spark plug tube gasket into valve cover until spark plug tube gasket is even with valve cover surface. Bend retaining tab downward. Coat spark plug tube gasket sealing area with grease.
- Using NEW gasket, install valve cover. Install and tighten valve cover bolts to specification in several steps. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-8778-S21926401902000092200000). To install remaining components, reverse removal procedure using NEW gaskets. Tighten bolts/nuts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-8778-S21926401902000092200000). Fill cooling system.
