Questions and Answers

Honda Valve Adjustment Q. What would it be the best way for me to adjust the valves on a 1990 Honda Civic SI with a 1.6 engine. It has fuel injection, manual transmission etc. Sergio

A. Here's the procedure:

CAUTION: Do not over-tighten the lock nuts. The rocker arms are made of aluminum.

NOTE:

• Valves should be adjusted cold when the cylinder head temperature is less than 38°C (100°F). Adjustment method is the same for intake and exhaust valves.

• If the pulley bolt broke loose while turning crank, retorque it to 165 Nm (16.5 kg-m, 119 lb-ft).

1. Remove valve cover.

2. Set No. 1 piston at TDC. "UP" mark on the pulley should be at top, and TDC grooves on the pulley should align with cylinder head surface. The distributor rotor must be pointing towards No. 1 plug wire.

3. Adjust valves on No.1 cylinder. Intake: 0.17-0.22 mm (0.007-0.009 in.) Exhaust: 0.22-0.27 mm (0.009-0.011 in.)

4. Loosen lock nut and turn adjustment screw until feeler gauge slides back and forth with slight amount of drag.

5. Tighten lock nut and check clearance again. Repeat adjustment if necessary.

6. Rotate crankshaft 180°counterclockwise (cam pulley turns 90°). The "UP" mark should be at exhaust side. Distributor rotor should point to No. 3 plug wire. Adjust valves on No. 3 cylinder.

7. Rotate crankshaft 180°counterclockwise to bring No. 4 piston to TDC. Both TDC grooves are once again visible and distributor rotor points to No.4 plug wire. Adjust valves on No.4 cylinder.

8. Rotate crankshaft 180°counterclockwise to bring No. 2 piston to TDC. The "UP" mark should be at intake side. Distributor rotor should point to No. 2 plug wire. Adjust valves on No. 2 cylinder.

Additional Information provided courtesy of ALLDATA

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