Valve Adjustment

[Ceeker]

you'll never hear the injectors over m20 valve noise... you'd have to have an amazing ear.

I beg to differ. If the valves are truly adjusted properly providing there isn't excessive wear on head components you will only hear the injectors firing. older models were known for valve noise inherent of the technology.

M20's making valve noise is barely audible and can be confused with injector noise. If the valve adjustment has not been performed and neglected then it will be painfully obvious sound drowning out anything else.

providing your head is good and there is no excessive wear the noise should go away or become considerably less. But you won't eliminate it completely.

Crank the radio up! works well...lol

[MR 325]

I fucking promise you that a perfectly adjusted and well kept M20 engine WILL still make valve noise.

That's how they are, period.

[jlevie]

I fucking promise you that a perfectly adjusted and well kept M20 engine WILL still make valve noise.

That's how they are, period.

Not true. Well, you will hear valve noise until the engine is fully up to temperature but it should not make valve noise after that. That presumes that the cam, cam bearings, rockers, and valve guides aren't worn. Unless a "race quality" rebuild has been done, the odds are that most heads will have worn parts and will make noise.

[Ceeker]

Not true. Well, you will hear valve noise until the engine is fully up to temperature but it should not make valve noise after that. That presumes that the cam, cam bearings, rockers, and valve guides aren't worn. Unless a "race quality" rebuild has been done, the odds are that most heads will have worn parts and will make noise.

^+1 to that. :-)

[E30_fiend]

.008 on an ice cold motor.

nice and toit

[Killacortes]

.008 on an ice cold motor.

nice and toit

do you really think it helps? i usually just do what bentley says .25mm

[paperplane94]

.008 on an ice cold motor.

nice and toit

NO!!!

It's much better to have loosely adjusted valves rather than tight because if they are too tight you may end up burning valves.

It makes sense, right?

The loosely adjusted valve is touching the head for a little bit longer which allows for heat transfer from the valve to the head.

The tightly adjusted valve is more susceptible to burning because it contains the heat in the valve as opposed to transferring the heat to the surrounding metal of the valve seat.


.25mm is good enough for an ice cold engine anyway.
Don't like valve noise? Invest in a new camshaft, and rocker arms.

Or you can 24v it.

[sweet6e30]

i have a rebuilt head with a brand new cam and brand new valves and rocker arms and eccentrics, adjusted to spec, valve noise is minimal, and i hear the injectors more.

I like the fact that the motor makes good sounds, things are running properly.

[achtunge30]

I just completed my first valve adjustment last night...I used to own an m42 and never had to worry about these things :P

Mine were adjusted too tight...could not even fit .008 in between eccentric and rockers - adjusted to .25mm and I think its even quieter than before and idles smoother!

[E30_fiend]

A loosely adjusted valve will make MORE noise and cause you to lose power. The OP wanted to quiet them down. I know 100's of guys who have adjusted to .008 and have had no problems whatsoever.


Taylor

[long tall eta]

if it aint tickin, it's broke.

[///M42 sport]

I swear I have more ticking after I adjusted the valves?!