Adjust Valves at 24K?

[deepcreek]

My truck is due for it's 24,000 mile scheduled maintenance and the manual calls for having the valves adjusted.



This is a new one on me but this is my first diesel.



Is this important?

 

[Casey Balvert]

According to my owners manual your 2003 should not need the valve lash adjusted unti 136,000 miles. Certainly not at 24,000.



Casey

 

[robobx]

hahahaha

yeah a dealer tried to pull that one on me. when I called to schedule the 15,000 service, he gave me a quote of over $575:--) :--) :--) :--)



I said what the hell does that cover????!!!

the first thing he said is adjusting the valves, and... Ok thanks, BYE!!!

 

[y-knot]

In my manual it states there should be a valve adjustment at 24,000 also. I did take mine in, I went to the local Cummins dealer and they adjusted them, two were out, and all the rest were ok. Point is I felt better for taking it in. You can do as you please, your going to any how. Just letting you know my experience.

 

[kbarlow]

Originally posted by y-knot

... ... ..... In my manual it states there should be a valve adjustment at 24,000 also... ... ...

Is that for a 2003?

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I plan to do mine by 20,000 miles as an assurance check. I've seen some guys' rigs well out of spec by 70,000 miles. Cummins' specs are pretty liberal IMO, if you want a fine-tuned machine I'd adjust them before they even get close to going out of spec. , ie, if they are out more than +/- . 002" from median (0. 020" exhaust 0. 010" intake, I do mine right at 0. 018" exhaust & 0. 008" Intake so they're a bit on the tight side and still have a margin of safety).



Vaughn

 

[ddutil]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but valve adjustment should be in the $75-$100 area. Change oil, fuel filter, check everything, and bla bla bla but I dont see how it could possibly amount to $575+ ?!?



Don't even bother to say Bye, just walk away! Dan

 

[robobx]

They wanted over $100 to change the fuel filter. almost $40 for the filter and an hour labor amazing it only takes my non-DC trained behind 10 minutes to change it

 

[RonWeiss]

How hard is it to adjust the valves on an 03? Done it many times in the past with old gassers.



Usually there was a hex head nut with a adj screw in the center, adjust the clearance and then lock down hex nut. It seemed as my cars got fancier the adj procedure got harder, like having to buy adjusting shims to add and subtract to get the right clearance.







Is there easy clearance to get to the rear cylinders? looks tight.



Ron W.

 

[y-knot]

I never go to the Dodge dealer, they for the most part are ignorant. Sorry but the truth hurts... deal with it. I like going to a Cummins dealer, with are quick,no what they are doing, and the cost are very reasonable. Every time I have gone, they seem to enjoy working on the Dodge, we talk and have a good time. They know there stuff, And I like that.

 

[robobx]

Originally posted by y-knot

. I like going to a Cummins dealer, with are quick,no what they are doing, and the cost are very reasonable.

That's where I'll be going when I need something. That's one nice thing about living where 2 interstate highways cross Lots of Cummins signs all over

 

[deepcreek]

Does anyone know of a good Cummin's shop in the Houston area?



I want to take good care of my truck and need to find an honest mechanic who knows his stuff.



I will probably still do some of it myself as I've helped my Dad rebuild slant-6's and 318's in previous Dodge vehicles.



FYI - My Dodge dealer wants $189. 95 to "adjust valves to factory specifications to prolong life of engine and improve driveability and fuel economy. "

 

[realsquash]

Is there any challenge to doing it yourself?



Andy

 

[DPKetchum]

Adjusting valves is no big deal. Follow the book. The 24,000 mile adjust was 12 valve engines if I'm not mistaken. NOT the 24 valve. Correct me if I'm wrong. The 12 valve was first one at 24 and others at 48k. The 24 valve was only in the diagnosis of a problem and first one at 150k or there abouts. I actually thought the recommended mileage frame was changed from 1998. 5 and 2003. Thought the 2003 was extended above the 1998. 5 through 2002. Of course it won't hurt to adjust but I think whomever at the dealer is on the old 12 valve page. I could be wrong. Anyone else wanna jump in.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Originally posted by RonWeiss

How hard is it to adjust the valves on an 03? Done it many times in the past with old gassers.

It's easy Ron, just like on a gasser. To find TDC you pop the plug at the upper area of the timing cover to see the timing hash, rotate the engine with a socket on the alternator pulley bolt until it's pointing straight up which puts cylinder #1 at TDC for the compression stroke.



At this point adjust:

Intake 1 2 4

Exhaust 1 3 5



Then rotate engine 360 degrees until timing mark is at 6 o'clock and adjust



Intake 3 5 6

Exhaust 2 4 6



Here is better details:

http://dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/valve_adj/12_valve.html

 

[600horse]

cummins dealer in the houston area

Deep creek. ! look in the phone book for (Cummins Southern Plains ) They are the factory Reps. for cummins in the area.

 

[d90boy]

For those that do it themselves, you'll want a set of bent feeler gauges. Previous engines were easily done with straight gauges, but the new one almost mandates a bent set.

 

[DPKetchum]

If any one has a repair manual on a 03 will they look up the maintenance interval on valve adjust?

 

[d90boy]

All I found was this from page 9-308:



The 24–valve overhead system is a “low-maintenance”

design. Routine adjustments are no longer

necessary, however, measurement should still take

place when trouble-shooting performance problems,

or upon completion of a repair that includes removal

and installation of the valve train components or

injectors.





If measured valve lash falls within these

specifications, no adjustment/reset is necessary.

Engine operation within these ranges has no adverse

affect on performance, emissions, fuel economy or

level of engine noise.

 

[DPKetchum]

That dealer that quoted it at 24k was thinking in a 12valve mode. Wheres HE been last few years. If in a dealer he hasn't kept up with the maintance intervals on these trucks. I think I read some where it was recommended at 150k on 24 valve. Of couse as I stated previous it ok to check and adjust anytime but due to design not needed. I'll proberly check mine at 60k or there abouts. A long time from now for me. I don't put but 6 to 11k a year on one.