Is it worth checking the valve clearances?

[roxburd]

The Haynes manual says the valve clearances should be checked at 100,000 miles. My local garage says 'Nah, don't bother'.

The valves are currently a bit noisy for a few seconds after start - they'll be taking a little while to pressurise as the oil is old and so probably pretty thin.

I'm hoping an oil change will sort that out.

But I'm still thinking that it might be worth checking the clearances anyway. Loose valves will be noisy but tight ones won't and can cause valves to burn out. The fuel economy is still looking good though so maybe that suggests there's no need.

Opinions?

I do like a bit of maintenance and it's not a massive job, looking at the Haynes manual. The bit that I'm not so sure about is removing the wheel arch liner!

Cheers

[Big Dave]

Aren't they hydraulic lifters?

Thought they automatically adjusted themselves?

If they're clattering on start up, then one or more could be worn and loosing pressure overnight.

[roxburd]

Aren't they hydraulic lifters?

Thought they automatically adjusted themselves?

If they're clattering on start up, then one or more could be worn and loosing pressure overnight.

Yeah, they are hydraulic. They do automatically adjust, up to certain limits, I guess, if the valves are still working right.

They are a bit noisy at start but I'm not bothered about that - an oil change will probably sort that out.

[skidmark1]

mine started being a big noisy on start up so did an engine flush and changed to 5w40 oil and noise has gone

[simon194]

Yeah, they are hydraulic. They do automatically adjust, up to certain limits, I guess, if the valves are still working right.

They are a bit noisy at start but I'm not bothered about that - an oil change will probably sort that out.

Unless it's the Z18XER engine which has solid lifters and should be checked every 100,000 miles. It's a shame Vauxhall chose not to use shims to set the valve clearance because it means replacing the lifters if it's not to spec at something like £12 a pop instead of a couple of quid a shim.

I'm guessing they chose solid lifters because of the time it would take for the oil pressure to come up if it had to pump up hydraulic lifters as well as prime the cam phasers.

[northpole]

cam lifter noise can be battled with an oil flush and clean oil of the right grade, in case of the 1.8 engines you are better of with 10w40 half synth. if that doesn't help than the only remedy will be the expensive route and replace them.

[roxburd]

Unless it's the Z18XER engine which has solid lifters and should be checked every 100,000 miles. It's a shame Vauxhall chose not to use shims to set the valve clearance because it means replacing the lifters if it's not to spec at something like £12 a pop instead of a couple of quid a shim.

I'm guessing they chose solid lifters because of the time it would take for the oil pressure to come up if it had to pump up hydraulic lifters as well as prime the cam phasers.

Thanks Simon - mine is the Z18XER with VVT... and yeah, you're right - it does have solid lifters.

The engine was getting quite rattly at start. I've changed the oil (long story) and the rattle is completely gone.

I guess as the rattle's gone none of them are hugely loose. And I guess they get looser as they wear, not tighter...

Hmmm. Might be worth a check, though, I guess. It's done 109,000 miles now. Maybe I'll get a quote to have it done with the next MoT... and I won't like the quote so I'll do it myself... hmmm.

Anyway, I had fun and games changing the oil - the drain plug head stripped out as I was trying to remove it. Yep. So that was fun with a chisel - really didn't want to slip and put a hole through the sump. Anyway, replacement plug was £6 from Jayar and from then on it was plain sailing - didn't drop a single drip of oil. In the past the wind has caught the draining oil and blown it all over the frigging place...