Valve clearances info wanted pls

[Sneds]

I keep reading and hearing about how important it is to correctly adjust the valve clearances on KAD44 engines.
My boat is fitted with 2 x AD31's
Do these require the same critical attention as the KADs?
The reason I ask is I have changed the oil, fuel and air filters; impellors and of course the oil along with the belts.
I am thinking I have done everything for the annual engine service .............. do my valves require annual adjustment aswell?
thanks

 

[Wiggo]

From memory, the valves should be checked every 200 hours. The AD31, KAD32, AD41, KAD42, and KAD43 are nowhere near as sensitive as the the KAD44 and KAD300 as these had the peculiar 4 valve per cylinder heads. I do ours every year or two - it only takes an hour or so.

 

[VicS]

RTM .... Read the manual!

The Owners manual lists checking the valve clearances as one of the routine service items to be done every 200hrs or once per season!
Experience will tell you just how important it is to observe this frequency. While one would change the oil etc at least annually the need to adjust the valve clearances will be more dependent on the actual hours run.

 

[Sneds]

Thanks for that, that is good news as they were done last OCT 100 hrs ago.
My aim is for me to service engines every year and every two years boat to come out for anti fouling, legs and engine service by the professionals.
Cheers

 

[Sneds]

Thanks for the link, better get them checked then, nothing beats peace of mind!
if only takes an hour or so the cost shouldn't break the bank!

 

[VicS]

You're going to pay someone to check valve clearances ! Well I suppose it does say that in the manual.

 

[Sneds]

If you're offering the boat is on Pontoon "South 85" Bristol City Docks
Should you need a fire alarm system designing for a public building please feel free to give me a call.

 

[SilverTT]

This is a job I will need to get done next year. Last time VP engineer done it for me i recall it took all day. 2 engines.
Does it really only take a couple of hrs. Can a novice do it. I can do some bits but never tried valves. Do i need special tools to do it.

 

[Sneds]

All the other bits are relatively straight forward, don't how how to do the valves though!
All day for 2 engines seems about right to me. Guess it depends on how flush you are at the time!
I think Wiggo meant an hour to do each engines valves, not everything.

 

[SilverTT]

Thanks for that.
I know all the fuel system needs to come off which isn't a problem. Did wonder about the valves themselves.

 

[Sneds]

Me to!
Thats why I'm going to pay someone to do it.
I'm sure in the past on various old cars it has just been a matter of screwing the thing down until the feeler gauge fits snugly /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif, but with my boat I want it to be right

 

[DavidJ]

[ QUOTE ]
I know all the fuel system needs to come off which isn't a problem.

[/ QUOTE ]
Are you sure, it doesn't on the KAD43.

 

[Wiggo]

OK, you need a big socket - 21/22/23mm (they used different sizes) for the crankshaft pulley nut to turn the engine over, you need a 10mm socket to get the rocker covers off, and a screwdriver and ring spanner to to the rockers themselves (13mm, I think, but could be smaller). You also need an assistant (possibly) unless you can easily get at the front of your engines to turn while you check.

Thereafter, it's just like it was when you did your car all those years ago. Assuming you have all the tools ready and someone to help, it shouldn't take more than an hour per engine.

If you have any doubts, though, get Col on the case...

 

[DavidJ]

[ QUOTE ]
you need a 10mm socket to get the rocker covers off,

[/ QUOTE ]
....for the KAD43 the socket needs to be a long one available from Halfords

 

[Wiggo]

Huh? Mine are just standard 10mm (M6?) dome nuts. Didn't need anything special, though that does remind me that you need a short extension bar to get at the crank nut. You can get a long weight at Halfords, though...

 

[DavidJ]

[ QUOTE ]
Huh? Mine are just standard 10mm (M6?) dome nuts. Didn't need anything special,

[/ QUOTE ]
Interesting, I found my standard 10mm sockets (half inch drive) fouled on the casing.

 

[Mike_S]

[ QUOTE ]
a screwdriver and ring spanner to to the rockers themselves (13mm, I think, but could be smaller)

[/ QUOTE ]

If it's the same adjustment system I'm thinking of from your description, then you need a clickadjust tappet adjuster to make it easier,rather than buggering around with a ring spanner and screwdriver. I bought one about 20 years ago for doing the tappets on my old Spitfire / Escort / Sunbeam etc, still got it now for doing the tappets on SWMBO's Spitfire /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

They're ace, makes checking them soooo easy. Found them for sale here:

http://www.frost.co.uk/item_Detail.asp?p...amp;subCatID=29

 

[SilverTT]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I know all the fuel system needs to come off which isn't a problem.

[/ QUOTE ]
Are you sure, it doesn't on the KAD43.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well when I say the fuel system I mean all the pipes which come over the rocker cover.

 

[Wiggo]

Ah, 1/2" would. 1/4" sockets have much slimmer bodies.

 

[Wiggo]

The fuel pipes come out in two groups of three and should pass through the gap between the covers. There should be no need to touch them.