I've done a couple of searches on adjusting valve clearance and it doesn't seem like it's that difficult. I've got a '99 Accord with the 4-cylinder, I'm waiting on a hayes manual I ordered but wanted to know what's involved and what tools I'll need. How do you check the clearance? Don't you need a micrometer or something? Is there anything more involved with removing the valve cover than just replacing the cover gasket? And is the gasket a part you would purchase from the dealer or just an auto parts store?

 

Yeah, it's not hard, at least not for my b18b. You need feeler gages. They are like 3 to 5 dollars at autozone. It's a bunch of thin pieces of metal that you slip inbetween the cam lobe and the rocker to check the clearance.

I'm pretty sure any valve cover gasket will do, just don't forget to put some liquid gasket on there in the right spots. The hayne manual will tell you everything. It is your bible.

 

Cool. I'll have to pick up that stuff once I decide to do the job. Thanks for the imput. Hopefully I can quiet the engine down a little. It's just a little to clickity-clackity. I know honda's 4-bangers are a little clicky anyways but it's almost to the 105K maintenance point and it recommends adjusting the valve clearance. The engine can't be too out of whack, I got 34 MPG out of my last tank of gas didn't expect that out of a '99 VTEC.

 

yea, you might not even have to adjust them. just check the clearances and make sure the engine is COLD, like way fucking cold.

however i dont know what the clearance specs are...you have a f23 correct?

 

Wow Dude!!! 34 MPG?
good to hear that. How do you drive? I mean what is the avg. speed?

Share the experience man!!!

Thanks
Bill.

 

Well, I drive mostly city roads, but the majority are major city roads at around 55MPH with -decently- timed lights. I've yet to really hit hardcore traffic jams or nasty inner-city driving with this car so I don't know if it would be able to keep up the efficiency in those situations. But driving about 70% major city roads/30% highway (at around 75MPH give or take) I've gotten 360 miles out of 10.4 gallons of gas and 366 miles out of 10.6 gallons (in the only two tanks I've filled since I've owned the car). That's 34.6 & 34.5 MPG respectively. I thought it was a hoax at first, that maybe I wasn't filling the tank all the way. But when I tried to fill it further, gas came spilling out on my new wax job. Pissed me off. The tank was definately full

 

Yes, it's an F23. I kind of hope they're out of spec since the engine is a little louder than I'd like (in the clicky way that is, no other way luckily) I forgot about letting the engine cool. I'll probably do it Saturday morning before I use the car. Thanks.