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Topic: When to adjust valves (Read 1880 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: When to adjust valves

Reply #25 –
You'll know it's time by watching your fuel mileage.  An oil sample will show a lot of things.. It's a good practice to take an oil sample when changing the oil.  If you want to extend your oil change use a by pass oil filter system like OPS.
Philip M Mahoney

1985 V917 Cat3208 w/ Allison auto 4 speed
build #7433

Re: When to adjust valves

Reply #26 –
Using an Amsoil bypass filter last oil change was at 22k miles,oil was still good.
Phillip,are you sure about your build number,seems hi for that year,should be in the 4000 range or lower.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: When to adjust valves

Reply #27 –
Quote from: Philip –
You'll know it's time by watching your fuel mileage.  An oil sample will show a lot of things.. It's a good practice to take an oil sample when changing the oil.  If you want to extend your oil change use a by pass oil filter system like OPS.

Sorry, I disagree.

Adjusting valves is PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE.

Waiting until MPG falls or metal shows up in an oil analysis is sure not how I would do it.  Particularly true if clearance is insufficient and, say, an exhaust valve is not completely closing.  Burned valve and valve job here you come.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: When to adjust valves

Reply #28 –
Agree with Brett,a broken valve and/or keeper can destroy a turbo fast.Have helped members check valves and most of the time
most of the valves don't need adjusting.Seems to be a little bit of a misconception that when a shop checks valve clearence that
every valve gets adjusted,that is not the case,you only adjust the ones out of spec.Every straight six engine we have has the same
adjusting sequence,the procedues may be different.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: When to adjust valves

Reply #29 –
I would think the build number is a 2 and not a 7, ours is an 87 build with an 88 registration date, build# 3150.
88 Grand Villa 36' ORED 3208 (throwaway)Cat.
 Build # 3150
Happiness is the maximum agreement of reality and desire.

Re: When to adjust valves

Reply #30 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
Sorry, I disagree.
Adjusting valves is PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE.
Waiting until MPG falls or metal shows up in an oil analysis is sure not how I would do it.  Particularly true if clearance is insufficient and, say, an exhaust valve is not completely closing.  Burned valve and valve job here you come.
Sometimes I disagree with Brett  >:D  but he is more than 100% correct here. And if the valve fails, it can cost $30K by the time it's all done. This is one of the reasons diesels don't make their B50 life.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: When to adjust valves

Reply #31 –
If you bought the coach and valve adjustment is unknown .. how would you know if the gas MPG was bad if you hadn't owned it long enough to see the difference?

For me I wasn't sure if it was done right before I bought it or ever.. it was less than $500 to get it done and now I don't wonder if it is correct or not. Cheaper than waiting and stuck on the side of the road waiting for a tow and an engine repair.

I have my baseline and for future reference it is done and off the list of worries.

Sure would hate to assume , well we know what you get when you do..

Re: When to adjust valves

Reply #32 –
"I would think the build number is a 2 and not a 7, ours is an 87 build with an 88 registration date, build# 3150. "
  Same here. The Oshkosh build date is Oct 87 , Vin says buildt March 88
 

 If there is oil issues from tight lash the lifters and cam  are already junk.