I have the Honda Service manual for my car.

How hard is it to do the valve adjustment? Are the valves likely to need that much adjusting after 113,000 miles? Could engine knock or tapping be a result of the valves needing adjustment at 1500 to 2500 rpms with no load (PARK), when the engine is at operating temperature?

The manual says to move the camshaft pulley in 90 degree increments......do you move it by the crankshaft with a socket and wrench? Is there enough room to do it this way (I haven't looked at this yet)?

Any tips would be appreciated..

Thank you,

Michael

 

Just checked my 90 Accord last night. After 187,000 miles, I figured the valve cover gasket was ready for replacement (oil leaking into tops of spark plugs, seeping out of corners, and so on). Only work ever done on the engine was a timing belt at 95,000. Never a valve adjustment. So I thought I'd check since the cover was coming off.

Well, to my surprise, the valve clearances on both intake and exhaust were exactly what they were supposed to be - .010 and .012. I beat the hell out of this engine every day and not one valve is out of spec? The engine does have a slight tapping sound when cold but is fine once it warms up. Guess some noise is normal when it's 5 below zero outside. I put the new gaskets on the cover and plug holes and all is well.

You can rotate the crankshaft with a socket on the crankshaft pulley. I pulled off my front left wheel for easy access. The pulley was behind a plastic cover held by two bolts in the wheel well. Not sure with your gen. Whole process is easy if you follow the manual, find top dead center of cylinder one, and take your time.

I think there are quite a few posts on this if you do a search. Enjoy.

 

On my 92, there was a hole in the fender well. I didnt even have to take a cover off, or remove the wheel. Its not that hard of a job either. The biggest pain is getting at the intake valves because of the angle at which they sit.