How to fix loud M30 valves?!

[Kalevera]

Hi Guys.

I've had some valve ticking in my M30 since I bought the car. I never thought it was normal, and Brett Anderson suggested that I adjust the valves. I've now pulled the valve cover three times, but haven't yet solved the problem:

1) First time, I didn't have a feeler gauge. I was just checking the banjo bolts and discovered the frontmost one sitting in the valley below the sprayer bar. Damn. I loctited it back in. The lobes looked fine with minimal, if any, scoring. The clicking persisted after driving ~ 500 miles.

2) Second time around I adjusted the valves to .012 (exhaust and intake). Like a good newbie, I did much more work than I needed to by manually rotating the engine *the wrong way*. It was also difficult to get the eccentrics exactly on .012. They seem to have been previously set to .011. So, I decided to replace the eccentrics.

3) Yesterday, I replaced the eccentrics, bushings, and bolts. Now they're much easier to set. As the motor was warm, I set the intake to .012 and the exhaust to .013. This time I used the remote start to make it all go much faster. Put everything back together and now it has VERY much less tick when warming up, but at operating temperatures, it sounds like it wants to throw a rod

My question is: do I set them lower -- something like .010 intake / .012 exhaust, as Robin does? Is there any danger in keeping them with a higher set time, beyond the obvious long term wear on the cam and rocker arms? On the KMS web site (http://www.koalamotorsport.com), Brett suggests that one use ~ .014 on a COLD engine.

I'm thinking that the sound is due to poorly seating valves or bad valve guides. Prior to messing with it, only cyl #2 intake was loud -- now cyl #5 is also loud.

best, whit

[632 Regal]

since you set them hot I would suggest checking them cold and see what they are at.

You may just have a couple a little off and thats what all the noise is about. When it's cold you will be able to more carefully double check all of them.

How are you adjusting them IE: lobe pointing away from follower or by the opposite valve opening?

[Kalevera]

Jeff, I adjust both the intake and the exhaust for each cylinder at the same time, with both lobes pointing approximately downwards (although the intake is usually a little closer to "full down" versus the exhaust). I'm planning on doing it AGAIN tomorrow morning when cold; third time's the charm, I hope.

Looks like you're going to become a "4 Grand Master" in about a week I wonder if there's anyone who's posted more messages than you.

[632 Regal]

Set both the intake and exhaust the same, Bentleys recommends .014 HOT and .012 COLD. Try setting them both at .011 when cold and most of the noise should be history unless you have a worn cam. You could go tighter on the settings but I wouldnt go any more than a loose .010.

No one with more but Winfreds the closest to me in ******** points.

[Derek A.]

Genereally loose valves are noisy valves. If you set them to tight, the valve will never fully seat and will eventually burn. Its best to set them cold as there is an even temperature to the whole head and the most even/accurate setting is possible. When the head is hot there is a different temperature for every section and thus different toelrances.

[Robin-535im]

I set mine tight with full knowledge that it increases wear... I'd feel really bad if something that happens to be okay on my engine ended up fouling someone elses.

BUT - that's part of the fun. Set 'em tight, try it out, set 'em loose, try it out. When something breaks - hey, it's time for a performance upgrade! Where'd that wallet go... the one with all the cash...

[BigKriss]

I can hear a faint tick, tick, tick sound. I assume that this is what your talking about. Is there anything wrong with that? -- in term of engine damage or excessive wear?

[Kalevera]

It's my understanding that a faint "tick tick" is normal when you stick your ear up to the valve cover. But my #2 intake is loud enough that you can hear it outside the car with the hood closed, which I don't think is normal.

I set them to .010/.012 this morning as per Robin's old post. Sound's still there and it idles a little rougher when cold, but seems better. I may set it to a tight .11/ loose .12 and see what happens.

best, whit

[JonE]

whit,
I assume you're not changing out the valve cover gasket each time you reset valve clearances, right? No problems there with seepage at the gasket? I'll need to set my valves soon and just wondering about that gasket with setting and resetting, etc.

[632 Regal]

Set BOTH the intake and exhaust the same, Bentleys recommends .012 COLD. Try setting them both at .011 when cold