Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Valve adjustment interval

[Lube Man]

The manual for my 99 24valve says to adjust the valves at 150K miles. Local dealer says it must be done at 90K. Did Chrysler issue a change?

 

[Thomas]

The Factory Service Manuals model years 2000-2002 also show 150,000 miles or 150 months. I've never seen anything published that is different.

 

[DNewell]

Don't mean to hijack this thread, but it's along the same lines: How difficult is it for a weekend warrior mechanic to adjust the valves? I wouldn't think it would be too difficult, but again, I just don't know. I've been thinking about doing mine, and want to see how difficult it would be on my own.

 

[PatrickHansen]

150K is correct. The gasket was about $70, whole job around $130 at my dealer. Could of done it myself, but I only had a 4-day pass and my time was more valuable.

 

[WestTN]

The gasket was most likely not needed as they are re-usable.

 

[johncameron]

The gasket was most likely not needed as they are re-usable.

Mine was done and the gasket was re-used.

 

[RCook]

DNewell,



Here's the cheat sheet I use for adjusting. Shamelessly gathered from other posters info. Works well for me.



ISB VALVE ADJUSTMENT



It's not difficult, especially if you've ever adjusted valves before. I've done mine several times now. I don't bother with the paint mentioned by Chad Sheets. I write down where they are when I first measure them, and where they wind up after adjusting. Checking them again after adjusting is well worth it. After the first couple of adjustments, they haven't changed very much, but it’s still worth it - takes less than an hour. I do them maybe once a year, especially before taking off on a long heavy-towing trip.



TOOLS NEEDED

Big channel lock for unscrewing the round plastic timing cover (manual transmissions)

Small mirror for viewing timing marks more easily

22mm or 7/8 socket, w long-handled ratchet, for turning engine via alternator

15mm ratchet wrench or socket, for removing valve cover

9/16 wrench (a longish box-end works well), for adjuster nuts

5 mm hex key, for adjusters

Feeler gauges



from Steve St. Laurent:

I finally was able to get around to adjusting my valves since I have 100,000 miles on the truck. Here's what I found - intake valves were from . 012-. 015 (optimum is . 010 (. 254mm) - spec is from . 006-. 015) and exhaust valves were . 021-. 024 (optimum is . 020 (. 508mm) - spec is from . 015-. 030). I was blown away that they were still within spec after 100,000 miles - and I haven't been exactly easy on the engine. I set mine slightly tight at . 008 (. 20 mm) on the intake and . 018 (. 46mm) on the exhaust. A note to anyone adjusting theirs - there is a lot of play in the Y from the camshaft to the valves on the 24v engine. I adjusted mine and then cranked the engine over and then rechecked them - it took about 6 times of adjusting them before the numbers were consistent on the next rev (I've adjusted TONS of valve trains over the years BTW). I continued to adjust them until I was able to get a consistent reading for 2 revolutions after I adjusted them.



from Chad Sheets:

Back all the adjustment nuts off on all rockers, then run them down with your fingers until they touch (you will only be able to run down the rockers with no tension on them... the ones with tension will have to wait their turn on the next round when you rotate the engine 360 degrees. Zero the gauge out and adjust for ever how many mm or whatever measurement you want to use.



1. Put cyl #1 on TDC by using the TDC mark behind the crank case breather on the front of the engine. You will have to remove the breather (if it's an automatic, or the round plastic timing cover if manual)... I believe it unscrews. You will see "TDC" stamped at 12 o'clock inside the case and a mark on the fuel pump timing gear. Put that mark on the 12 o'clock TDC position.



2. Remove the valve cover, and mark the following INTAKE valves with a paint marker, 1,2,4



3. Now mark EXHAUST valves 1,3,5 with the paint marker. You should have 6 rockers marked.



4. Adjust the INTAKE valves somewhere between . 15mm and . 38mm. I shoot for the middle of the road . 25mm.



5. Adjust the EXHAUST valves now between . 38mm and . 76mm. Again I shoot for middle of the road about . 57mm.



6. Give all the rockers a good wiggle before removing the gauge to make sure all the play is out of them.



NOW ROLL THE ENGINE OVER 360 DEGREES (180 degrees on the timing mark) AND ADJUST THE 6 ROCKERS NOT PAINTED.

 

[Thomas]

If you like pictures, here it is from the world-famous Dave Fritz site: http://dodgeram. info/Engine-Diesel/maint/valve_adj-24V.html

 

[Bobalos]

This is Funny I was just thinking about this, this morning as I was driving into work.



do you set them hot or cold??



also how the heck to you know if they need it or not (other than by doing it?)?? the motor makes soo much noise I cant tell if the valves are happy or snapping the heads off of the valves. LOL.



thanks mucho guys

Bob

 

[Thomas]

. . . do you set them hot or cold??
. . .

Check the link in the post immediately above your question.

. . . also how the heck to you know if they need it or not (other than by doing it?)?? . . .

Check the link in the post immediately above your question & then check your odometer.

 

[Bobalos]

Check the link in the post immediately above your question.

Oops I skipped right over the "check it cold" part & went right down to the meat of the "how to". duh... ... ... ... ..... LOL

Check the link in the post immediately above your question & then check your odometer.

being a "dont fix it if it aint broke", kind of guy, I dont like monkeying around in a motor if I dont have to. I was just wondering if there was a good way to figure out if it was broke w/o running the valves. on a gas motor all you have to do is turn down the 8-Track player. LOL No worries, Im sure my boys wont mind if I skip thier baseball games to run the valves on the truck.



thanks



Bob

 

[tom sweeney]

i had my valves set for the 1st time at 198,000... they were all pretty close to specs,but then the spec's give a little leeway +-... mine were set at ten on the intake,and twenty thousandths on the exhaust... . i am currently at 231k... ..... tom