Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Is the 100K Valve Adjustment Needed?

[RobbyRam]

Just about to turn 107,000 miles on my 2000 24V. Installed DD2's at about 25K mi. and that was the last time I had the valve cover off. The truck is running perfect.

Do I really have to adjust the valves? I'm a "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" kind of guy.

Bob in Sacramento

 

[dnesbitt3]

Had my valves done at 150K, tech said that only one of the valves needed any adjustment, my motor is completely stock, now with 173k on it. I'm a preventative maintenance kinda guy, but I think this was a waste of money...



Don

 

[klaybus]

Don,

How much did they charge you to adjust your valves? I'm about 30k miles away from doing that preventative maintenance thing myself.



Clay

 

[JFinke]

I have done the valves on a number of 24V trucks and have never found one that is beyond the spec range given. I always put them to . 010 intake and . 020 exh while I'm there though. I did mine at 244K (head gasket at 100K) and only had to adjust 4 rockers at all. I charge 200$ and change the oil and filter/lube chasis and pressure wash motor before adjusting. The oil change is after valve adjust. I go for a little drive to check for leaks and warm up motor. Any dirt that gets knocked loose with valve cover off is gone then. I did'nt gain any milage but have had customers swear they get from . 2 to 1MPG increase.

 

[MMiller]

Hey I advise the valve adjust. I adjusted mine on my 12 valve the first at about a 104,000. I think recomendations it 45,000 on mine, not sure though.



Not many needed adjustment but reset them all anyway. Did notice a little more power afterwards.



I work in a Cat shop, and one of the first things that is done to a low power complaint it adjust the valves. It can make a difference.



Also have to rememeber there must be a good reason why cummins want the valves adjusted periodically.



Michael

 

[Rob Thomas]

I agree with Dan, I have had to adjust mine twice in 105,000 miles, of course bombs and driving style/habits/racing/ect, probably helped with the early needed adjustments.





Rob

 

[JFinke]

The worst ones I have done are the 12V motors with the heavy valve spings for use with exhaust brakes. I did one the other day that averaged about . 035 on the exh. and was about . 012 on the intake. It did have 90K since it had been done the owner said. But we have a couple 12V with pacbrakes and the exh. is always way further out than the intake. The one without the heavy springs stays a lot closer to spec. I adust them every 50K. On the industrial and ag B and C series we adjust the valves at 1000 hrs.

 

[RRFinch]

24 Valve Adjustment?!

OK. I see all the posts on doing (or, not doing) a valve adjustment on the 24 valve. I have the opinion that if it ain't broke why fix it. I have 150K on the odometer and engine is running quite smooth and pulls very well. Mileage is in the low 20's; pulling 19,000 Lbs I get arouind 15 mph.

On-the-other-hand, it might be worth doing, I guess, just to assure myself all valves are in spec. I don't expect to improve power or mileage.

If I do it, how does the "BARRING TOOL" work? What is it? Can I make one, or do I buy one? Where?

If I do an adjustment I am only out the effort. If I don't do an adjustment what is thr risk of a valve problem developing?

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

1. LOOSE valve = noise and SLIGHT potential reduced power.



2. TIGHT valve = potential valve burning, lost compression, engine "miss".



That about covers it!