Valve Clearance: Adjusting

Adjust valve clearance while engine is cold. 

1. Turn crankshaft, to position cam lobe on camshaft of valve that must be adjusted upward.
2. Thoroughly wipe off engine oil around adjusting shim using a rag.
3. Using a extra-fine screwdriver, turn the round hole of the adjusting shim in the direction of the arrow.
   Fig 1: Locating Circular Hole

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4. Place Tool (A) around camshaft as shown in figure.

   Before placing Tool (A), rotate notch toward center of cylinder head (See   5 ), to simplify shim removal later. 

   CAUTION: Be careful not to damage cam surface with Tool (A).
5. Rotate Tool (A) (See figure.) so that valve lifter is pushed down.
   Fig 2: Placing Tool Around Camshaft

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6. Place Tool (B) between camshaft and the edge of the valve lifter to retain valve lifter.
   CAUTION:

   • Tool (B) must be placed as close to camshaft bracket as possible.
   • Be careful not to damage cam surface with Tool (B).
7. Remove Tool (A).
   Fig 3: Placing Tool Between Camshaft And Edge Of Valve Lifter To Retain Valve Lifter

   Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
8. Blow air into the hole to separate adjusting shim from valve lifter.
   Fig 4: Blowing Air Into Hole To Separate Adjusting Shim From Valve Lifter

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9. Remove adjusting shim using a small screwdriver and a magnetic finger.
10. Determine replacement adjusting shim size following formula.
    • Using a micrometer determine thickness of removed shim.
    • Calculate thickness of new adjusting shim so valve clearance comes within specified values.

      R = Thickness of removed shim

      N = Thickness of new shim

      M = Measured valve clearance

      Intake 

      N = R + [M - 0.30 mm (0.0118 in)] 

      Exhaust: 

      N = R + [M - 0.33 mm (0.0130 in)] 

      Shims are available in 64 sizes from 2.32 mm (0.0913 in) to 2.95 mm (0.1161 in), in steps of 0.01 mm (0.0004 in). 

      Fig 5: Removing Adjusting Shim Using Small Screwdriver And Magnetic Finger

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    • Select new shim with thickness as close as possible to calculated value.
      Fig 6: Measuring Shim Thickness Using Micrometer

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      Fig 7: Locating Shim Thickness On Shim

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11. Install new shim using a suitable tool.
    • Install with the surface on which the thickness is stamped facing down. 
      Fig 8: Installing New Shim Using Suitable Tool

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12. Place Tool (A) as mentioned in steps  2 and  3.
13. Remove Tool (B).
14. Remove Tool (A).
15. Recheck valve clearance.

    Valve clearance: 

    Fig 9: Intake And Exhaust Valve Clearance Chart

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    Fig 10: Rechecking Valve Clearance With Tool

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