Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) 24valve adjustment: cold or hot engine?

[TomGolden]

Hi all,



Quick question. Does the engine have to be stone cold to do a proper valve adjustment, or can it be warm? I need to drive down south a bit to see Brandon anyway, and I was thinking I'd have him do a valve adjustment for me if he has time. It's 110 miles from me to him, and I wanted to know if the truck would have to sit at his shop all day to cool off enough to do the valve job.



Thanks,

Tom

 

[LSMITH]

It needs to be cold. If it sits for an hour or so that should be long enough after a 10 mile drive. Just baby it down there. I would set them a bit tight, say 8 and 16 or so.

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

I just did the valves on the fire pump at work, it is a BT5. 9 12 valve and it says in the book to be done cold it also mentions below 140 degrees farenheit, so if it sat an hour or two I guess it would be fine.

 

[csutton7]

Tom--cold like LSmith said---we've been setting them to 9 and 18 when we adjust them--chris

 

[GMocanu]

When should the valves be adjusted? I believe the manual says 150k but is that streching it like the "no need to change the tran fluid in the 5600"?

 

[LSMITH]

I have had valves out of range with only 60K miles, they have been nearly out of range with 40K. I adjust every 40K miles, it needs it and it only takes a half hour. Some have reported cheking them at 100K and finding them all in range, but most have been surprised to find them way out by 100K miles.



The ETH seems to stay in range much better... ...

 

[csutton7]

I agree with LSmith--chris

 

[GMocanu]

Ok thanks for the answer.



Now this week I'm going to install my new injectors. My truck has 42k and is an 01. I guess I should adjust the valves while I'm changing the injectors. Can anyone tell me the proper way to adjust them or point me to some instructions? I've received instructions on how to install the injectors and it looks fairly straightforward so I'm looking forward to doing them myself. If it's easy to adjust the valves as well I might as well give that a try also.



Funny thing is that since I could afford to pay someone else I haven't even changed the oil in my vehicles but since I got this truck I'm looking forward to doing the work on it myself. I guess this truck has become my second hobby after photography.

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by GMocanu

When should the valves be adjusted? I believe the manual says 150k but is that streching it like the "no need to change the tran fluid in the 5600"?

:-laf sorry asking that kind of question on here is funny. Don't get me wrong I'm not laughing at you it's just after you have been on here for awhile you will understand. Members tend to go over board on the maintenance on their trucks. I am sure there are members that change their fuel filters every 5K miles and if you asked if you should change your fuel filter at 15K miles like the owners manual says they would recommend you change it at 5K miles. Here is my suggestion. If you don't abuse/modify your truck you can follow the owners manual for all maintenance and it should be adequate. Remember more is not alway better but it can give you something to do and some place to spend your money. JMO

 

[cmills]

valve adjustment

I checked mine at 75,000 all were real good, the truck was getting worked on at scheid at 150,000 and while it was there I had them adj. the valves they said they were still within specs but just barely, so they went ahead and adjusted them.



Cory