Engine Valve Lash - Inspect/Adjust
Engine Valve Lash - Inspect/Adjust
Engine Valve Lash - Inspect/Adjust
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To prevent possible injury, do not use the starter to turn the flywheel.
Hot engine components can cause burns. Allow additional time for the
engine to cool before measuring valve clearance.
Do not come in contact with the fuel injector terminals while the engine
is running.
Note: Valve lash is measured between the rocker arm and the valve bridge. All measurements and
adjustments must be made with the engine stopped and the valves fully closed.
Table 1
Quick Reference for Engine Valve Lash Setting
C-10 and C-12 Engines
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Valve Lash Setting 0.38 ± 0.08 mm (0.015 ± 0.003 0.64 ± 0.08 mm (0.025 ± 0.003
inch) inch)
TC Compression Stroke
1-2-4 1-3-5
If the measurement is not within this range, an adjustment is necessary. Refer to "Valve Lash Adjustment"
for the proper procedure.
Illustration 1 g00386924
Table 2
Engine Valve Lash Setting
Inlet
0.38 ± 0.08 mm (0.015 ± 0.003 inch)
Exhaust
0.64 ± 0.08 mm (0.025 ± 0.003 inch)
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Adjust the valve lash while the engine is stopped. Use the following procedure to adjust the valve lash:
1. Put the No. 1 piston at the top center position. Refer to Testing and Adjusting, "Finding the Top
Center Position For No. 1 Piston".
Note: If the engine is equipped with an engine compression brake, loosen the adjusting screw for
the lash on the slave piston for the compression brake prior to adjusting the engine valve lash. Refer
to the Testing and Adjusting, "Slave Piston Lash - Adjust" for information that relates to the
adjustment of the slave piston lash for the engine compression brake.
2. Before any adjustments are made, lightly tap the rocker arm at the top of the adjustment screw with
a soft mallet. This will ensure that the lifter roller seats against the camshaft's base circle.
Note: Refer to Table 2 for the appropriate engine valve lash setting.
3. Make an adjustment to the valve lash on the inlet valves for cylinders 1, 2, and 4.
Illustration 2 g00481639
Typical example
b. Place the appropriate feeler gauge between rocker arm and the valve bridge. Then, turn the
adjustment screw in a clockwise direction. Slide the feeler gauge between the rocker arm and
the valve bridge. Continue turning the adjustment screw until a slight drag is felt on the feeler
gauge. Remove the feeler gauge.
c. Tighten the adjustment locknut to a torque of 30 ± 7 N·m (22 ± 5 lb ft). Do not allow the
adjustment screw to turn while you are tightening the adjustment locknut. Recheck the valve
lash after tightening the adjustment locknut.
4. Make an adjustment to the valve lash on the exhaust valves for cylinders 1, 3, and 5.
b. Place the appropriate feeler gauge between rocker arm and the valve bridge. Then, turn the
adjustment screw in a clockwise direction. Slide the feeler gauge between the rocker arm and
the valve bridge. Continue turning the adjustment screw until a slight drag is felt on the feeler
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c. Tighten the adjustment locknut to a torque of 30 ± 7 N·m (22 ± 5 lb ft). Do not allow the
adjustment screw to turn while you are tightening the adjustment locknut. Recheck the valve
lash after tightening the adjustment locknut.
5. Remove the timing bolt and turn the flywheel by 360 degrees in the direction of engine rotation.
This will put the No. 6 piston at the top center position on the compression stroke. Install the timing
bolt in the flywheel.
6. Before any adjustments are made, lightly tap the rocker arm at the top of the adjustment screw with
a soft mallet. This will ensure that the lifter roller seats against the camshaft's base circle.
a. Lightly tap the rocker arm at the top of the adjustment screw with a soft mallet. This will
ensure that the lifter roller seats against the camshaft's base circle.
c. Place the appropriate feeler gauge between rocker arm and the valve bridge. Then, turn the
adjustment screw in a clockwise direction. Slide the feeler gauge between the rocker arm and
the valve bridge. Continue turning the adjustment screw until a slight drag is felt on the feeler
gauge. Remove the feeler gauge.
d. Tighten the adjustment locknut to a torque of 30 ± 7 N·m (22 ± 5 lb ft). Do not allow the
adjustment screw to turn while you are tightening the adjustment locknut. Recheck the valve
lash after tightening the adjustment locknut.
8. Make an adjustment to the valve lash on the exhaust valves for cylinders 2, 4, and 6.
b. Place the appropriate feeler gauge between rocker arm and the valve bridge. Then, turn the
adjustment screw in a clockwise direction. Slide the feeler gauge between the rocker arm and
the valve bridge. Continue turning the adjustment screw until a slight drag is felt on the feeler
gauge. Remove the feeler gauge.
c. Tighten the adjustment locknut to a torque of 30 ± 7 N·m (22 ± 5 lb ft). Do not allow the
adjustment screw to turn while you are tightening the adjustment locknut. Recheck the valve
lash after tightening the adjustment locknut.
9. Remove the timing bolt from the flywheel after all adjustments to the valve lash have been made.
Reinstall the timing cover on the flywheel housing.
For information that relates to the adjustment of the electronic unit injector, refer to Testing and Adjusting,
"Electronic Unit Injector - Adjust".
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