Maintenance Required Indicator flashing
2001 4-cyl; that would be an F23 just like I have. Valve clearance = valve lash; same thing but I don't know where the word 'lash' comes from.
- Do this with the engine completely cold.
- Remove the valve cover.
- Spin the engine (only forwards) until each cylinder comes to TDC on it's compression stroke. This is when both valves for that cylinder are completely closed.
- The adjuster is a small threaded "bolt"-like thing on each rocker arm. You check the clearance with a feeler gauge between the valve stem & this adjuster. If it needs adjusting, there's a jam nut to release so you can turn the adjuster.
- I don't know what the clearances should be. Probably listed on the emmissions sticker under the hood, but you ought to get yourself a repair manual.
- Turn the engine (forward only) to do the next cylinder.
- Age & heat can make the valve-cover gasket hard; it may not re-seal. Get a new gasket if you want.
- Don't over-tighten the valve-cover bolts. They can break...
- Do this with the engine completely cold.
- Remove the valve cover.
- Spin the engine (only forwards) until each cylinder comes to TDC on it's compression stroke. This is when both valves for that cylinder are completely closed.
- The adjuster is a small threaded "bolt"-like thing on each rocker arm. You check the clearance with a feeler gauge between the valve stem & this adjuster. If it needs adjusting, there's a jam nut to release so you can turn the adjuster.
- I don't know what the clearances should be. Probably listed on the emmissions sticker under the hood, but you ought to get yourself a repair manual.
- Turn the engine (forward only) to do the next cylinder.
- Age & heat can make the valve-cover gasket hard; it may not re-seal. Get a new gasket if you want.
- Don't over-tighten the valve-cover bolts. They can break...
2001 4-cyl; that would be an F23 just like I have. Valve clearance = valve lash; same thing but I don't know where the word 'lash' comes from.
- Do this with the engine completely cold.
- Remove the valve cover.
- Spin the engine (only forwards) until each cylinder comes to TDC on it's compression stroke. This is when both valves for that cylinder are completely closed.
- The adjuster is a small threaded "bolt"-like thing on each rocker arm. You check the clearance with a feeler gauge between the valve stem & this adjuster. If it needs adjusting, there's a jam nut to release so you can turn the adjuster.
- I don't know what the clearances should be. Probably listed on the emmissions sticker under the hood, but you ought to get yourself a repair manual.
- Turn the engine (forward only) to do the next cylinder.
- Age & heat can make the valve-cover gasket hard; it may not re-seal. Get a new gasket if you want.
- Don't over-tighten the valve-cover bolts. They can break...
- Do this with the engine completely cold.
- Remove the valve cover.
- Spin the engine (only forwards) until each cylinder comes to TDC on it's compression stroke. This is when both valves for that cylinder are completely closed.
- The adjuster is a small threaded "bolt"-like thing on each rocker arm. You check the clearance with a feeler gauge between the valve stem & this adjuster. If it needs adjusting, there's a jam nut to release so you can turn the adjuster.
- I don't know what the clearances should be. Probably listed on the emmissions sticker under the hood, but you ought to get yourself a repair manual.
- Turn the engine (forward only) to do the next cylinder.
- Age & heat can make the valve-cover gasket hard; it may not re-seal. Get a new gasket if you want.
- Don't over-tighten the valve-cover bolts. They can break...
Last edited by Fuse; Oct 20, 2006 at 04:20 PM.


