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Valve Adjustment?

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2003 48RE P700 Code

Transmission

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Any time you take the valve cover off there is a chance to get dirt in there or mess something up. PM is a very good thing but to much is as bad as to little. I am the type who if there is a way to mess things up I can do it. I only do what is needed.
 
Any time you take the valve cover off there is a chance to get dirt in there or mess something up. PM is a very good thing but to much is as bad as to little. I am the type who if there is a way to mess things up I can do it. I only do what is needed.



:-laf There is virtually no chance of getting dirt in if you keep your engine clean. My old 94 is still clean enough to have no fear of what you are suggesting. It takes maybe 10 minutes a month to keep it clean tops.

Now your apptitude I can't help you with.
 
Dodge says for 06 and newer

INTAKE EXHAUST

0. 152 mm ( 0. 006 in. ) MIN. 0. 533 mm (0. 021 in. ) MIN.

0. 381 mm (0. 015 in. ) MAX. 0. 863 mm (0. 034 in. ) MAX.



I do 8/18 unless the driver tows hot an heavy then I may go 21
 
:-laf There is virtually no chance of getting dirt in if you keep your engine clean. My old 94 is still clean enough to have no fear of what you are suggesting. It takes maybe 10 minutes a month to keep it clean tops.

Now your apptitude I can't help you with.



Mine is very clean also; it is the apptitude I guess and no there is no help for it. I do all my own work as a rule and most of the time it comes out OK.



When I do mess up it always seems to be a good one. I worked as a Diesel Mechanic in the Navy and there my mistakes were taken care of by the taxpayer. I was the Captains Gig Engineer once and when I took over there was a lot of white smoke coming from the exhaust (so I thought) I worked many long hours trying to figure it out when a more experience engineer came down and adjusted the salt water cooling to the exhaust. The steam (white smoke) went way down. That is my main problem I jump before I know what is really wrong. I have adjusted my valves at least five times since I bought my truck new with not problems; they were never really out of adjustment.



I know there a lot of people on this site who are not mechanics and take their trucks in to have work done. What a waste of money to have the valves adjusted when not needed. Also, a lot of people think most "problem" engine noise can be solved by adjusting the valves when in fact the valves rarely need it.



The chance for messing things up is much higher with the valve cover off, than on.
 
Mine is very clean also; it is the apptitude I guess and no there is no help for it. I do all my own work as a rule and most of the time it comes out OK.



When I do mess up it always seems to be a good one. I worked as a Diesel Mechanic in the Navy and there my mistakes were taken care of by the taxpayer. I was the Captains Gig Engineer once and when I took over there was a lot of white smoke coming from the exhaust (so I thought) I worked many long hours trying to figure it out when a more experience engineer came down and adjusted the salt water cooling to the exhaust. The steam (white smoke) went way down. That is my main problem I jump before I know what is really wrong. I have adjusted my valves at least five times since I bought my truck new with not problems; they were never really out of adjustment.



I know there a lot of people on this site who are not mechanics and take their trucks in to have work done. What a waste of money to have the valves adjusted when not needed. Also, a lot of people think most "problem" engine noise can be solved by adjusting the valves when in fact the valves rarely need it.



The chance for messing things up is much higher with the valve cover off, than on.



I have been around a long time and yes with some DIYers not touching it at all is the safest bet
 
03-05 should be done with . 010 intake and . 020 exhaust 06 and up should change the exahust to . 026.



Check asap for the best preventative measures, after initial check or adjustment once every 100k should be fine.

Valve lash WILL change with time no matter who does it. As the camshaft and tappets, crossheads, pushrods, even rockers wear, adjustments will be needed for the best performance and milage/reliability.
 
Had my valves adjusted right at 100K by the local dealer and now that its 192K its about time, but will take it to a diesel shop that i trust more than the dealer. Did not notice any difference after adjustment or any change since then.....

Ken
 
Adjusted mine at 80,000 and they were a bit out. I did notice smoother operation and less engine noise after completion. I paid $85. 00. Did it myself again at 140,000 and all were within spec. i have 147,000 now.
 
it pretty much comes down to how you drive the vehicle, a light/heavy tow rig, a high egt drag truck, low egt drag truck, etc etc , if you are running low egts you want tighter valve specs to take advantage of the cam profile for more efficiency, if you run it on the hot side, it would be more beneficial to run a little loose to allow for the expansion of metal with heat to keep you in the sweet spot while running hot, also high rpm use it is better to run a little tight to keep from damaging the cam lobes, but too tight will cause really bad things, also it does matter to clean the engine before performing a valve adjust, there is silica that you cant see with the naked eye floating in the air that will land in your engine that could be enough to net you a bad oil sample, so it is a good idea to do the valve adjust and run the eng for a few minutes and then change the oil, probably doesnt make that big of a difference on a personal vehicle, but it would show up in a fleet environment where oil is sampled religiously, hope this helps
 
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