Valve readjustment at an Acura dealership should be about 80USD maximum.

 

Acura typically recommends valve adjustments at around 25,000, 30,000, or 35,000 miles, depending on which service department you go to. I had mine done at 30,000; probably good until 60K or so.

Shingo

 

get the valve adjustment tool. Without proper tools its a *****

 

Lucky for me I got the valve adjustment tool set (4 different size tools) from Harbor freight for $25. Unfortunately they don't sell them anymore. I HIGHLY suggest some kind of tool, either the Snap-On or Harbor Freight variety, for doing the job on a DOHC VTEC head. It's much easier on non-VTEC heads.

Another piece of advice is to double and triple-check the clearances, both when you adjust it and after you torque the adjusting nut.

Lastly, ONLY adjust the valves that need adjustment. The first time I did mine, I just loosened all 16 nuts and went to town, ended up with terrible noises from the engine :doh: Go through and check all the clearances, and only adjust the ones necessary, it will help save some time and possibly headache.

 

i need to get my hands on this tool.. any links for purchase?

 

I was getting ready to do the valve tune-up her in a week or two(whenever i get the 6 stiches out of my thumb) And i was just going to get the tool directly from snap-on for 46 bucks!!! i couldn't find it on harbor freights website, now i know why. But is there anywhere online i could get the tool for much less(snap-on or harbor)?

 

Snap on Valve Adjusting Tool

 

I adjust my valves when I hear them tapping, it doesn't just go by mileage. The harder you drive the car, the faster they get out of spec.

 

Could you please explain this tapping sound. Because as of recently every couple of times I take my car up near redline or to redline, which I really don't do too often, I have gotten this kind of like a knocking sound but not loud enough to be considered knocking. Really I can't describe it, but its enough to make me not wanna get on it anymore. And my valves probably haven't been adjust in a loooong time. Cause who knows when the owner before me did it. Do you think this noise could be due to the fact that they need adjusted? I know I didn't describe the noise too well but thats mainly because I don't know how to describe it. So if anyone knows anything let me know. Oh and the car drvies fine at any other time. And I have taken my car to or near redline once or twice recently and it hasn't made the noise. So it only happens sparingly. The noise usuall comes at about 7500 rpm. Thanks to anyone that has any suggestions.

 

The tapping you will hear at idle as well. Get an adjustment and see if that helps. Maybe the sound you are hearing at the top of the RPM band is detonation?