Zero valve clearance - what do I do? (PICS)

[DKWesty]

First off, greetings to all here - this is my first post but I've been taking advantage of all the info here for the last year or so. Brilliant resource and I hope to be able to contribute something myself as time goes on. For now though can I just tap in to your brains for some advice on my valve clearances pls?

My van is a 1986 1.6TD Westfalia pop-top

The problem is on checking the valve clearances I've found there aren't any. I mean I can't even get the finest feeler in there. Checked with a hot engine. So how do I work out what shims to get?

Hopefully the pics will attach, not that they really show that much but maybe someone with an expert eye will spot something.

photo 1.JPG

photo 2.JPG

Thanks!

Don

[California Dreamin]

Hi there...assuming you can still move the shim/bucket easily (cam lobe upwards) then you will just have to take off the full clearance from the shim thickness.

Inlet: 0.20 - 0.30
Exhaust: 0.40 - 0.50

So if it's an inlet valve and you do have the follower push down and shim removing tools then take 0.20mm from the thickness of the installed shim (measured with a 0 - 25mm micrometer, which you also have?)

This will only be rough....until you can start getting feeler gauges in there and actually working out the clearances and subtracting to get within spec.

I hope others are reading this thread because 'lack of valve clearance checking' on diesel engines with shims is a particular bug bear of mine...in that, very few so called VW specialists have the tools/shims and inclination to carry out this critical ajustment.
Incidently should be done at every main service although I have to say, once done correctly doesn't move much between services.

With so many clearances having closed up, it might take an hour of adding/changing to get things somewhere close. Note* ere towards the middle of the settings (larger clearance) as the head will now be cold.

Martin

[DKWesty]

Thanks Martin, I found that the garage I asked to do a full service were reluctant to do valve clearances, first they tried telling me it had hydraulic valves, then they said 'it's running fine so just don't worry about it'. I'm not sure why they can't be bothered. Anyway I like to get to know my engines so I said fine I'll do it myself...

So you think I'm best off assuming that the valves are just about at the limit rather than past it? Makes sense to me, as the engine does run and pull OK (for a 1.6) and those cam lobes don't seem to be in too bad shape, then at least I'll have it in the right region and can double check from there as you say.

Cheers, and thanks for the clearance spec, you have been most helpful

Don

[Simon Baxter]

Those do indeed look hydraulic.
Probably got the wrong engine in.

[DKWesty]

Hello Mr Baxter, that would make sense of what the mechanics told me then (it being hydraulic and that). I'll check.

[DKWesty]

This is what I've got... is it a JX?

[California Dreamin]

Those do indeed look hydraulic.
Probably got the wrong engine in.

My piggin eyesight......you could well be right though Simon and the fact that there appears to be NO clearance, presumably with all tappets would point towards them being hydraulic.
Strangely though.....old fashioned cam cover with shouldered studs would indicate early manual tappets.

Can the original poster take a closer pic of one follower bucket....does the top of the bucket appear to have a seperate shim?

Martin

[DKWesty]

I'll have a proper look at it tomorrow and see what's going on in there.

Don

[California Dreamin]

Link to a picture of a manual bucket with shim...note the seperate shim.

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=tappet ... ,s:0,i:109

Then the smooth top of a hydraulic type bucket.

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=tappet ... ,s:0,i:373

Not necessarily VW but they are similar.

Martin

[DKWesty]

Hello again,

Thanks for those pics Martin. I haven't had time to take the cam cover off yet but would the bulge of an oil gallery between injectors 1 & 2 tell me it's a hydraulic head? I've read they need more oil supply than the manual valve type.

[California Dreamin]

I'm afraid although my knowledge is fair, that sort of detail is for the 'anals' no offence intended......
To me....the early 'studded' cam cover with cork gasket, indicates a manual tappet/shim arrangement BUT...BIG BUT, these 25 year old plus van engines have often been bastardized and are a mix of components that work BUT were never intended to go together.
It's all coolio if they are hydraulic.

Martin

[dave friday]

just had a look at my old "jx" head....no bulge between 1+2 injectors,so....how to check if you've got hydraulic tappets[from the"Justkampers"book of nearly accurate information!!][ with the cam lobe pointing upwards]push down on the tappet with a piece of wood or plastic,it should go down approx 0.10mm
good luck.

[Niander]

1Y 's have hydraulic tappets right?

[California Dreamin]

Yes indeed...later normally aspirated (non turbo) 1.9D

Martin

[Niander]

I should be ok then..... so TD has shims to adjust?