Valve adjustment for all Hondas is a trivial task - but only
with proper tools and time. Following their procedure is
important. Engine should be overnight cooled since any engine
heat does significantly change adjustment. Get a feeler gauge
from someplace, like Sears, with a 45 degree bend - because
some intake valves cannot be properly adjusted using a
straight feeler gauge (as that mechanic tried to do). Have
the 10 mm close end wrench and good, regular sized, flat blade
screwdriver to loosen and tighten the adjusting screw.
Holding screw with screwdriver as locking nut is tightened. A
19 mm socket and breaker bar to rotate engine for each valve.

If the previous 'mechanic' did not screw up valve
adjustment, then each valve adjust would adjust less than '5
minutes on the hour'. Adjustment so bad as to make loud
ticking is more often due to an above described mechanic.
Found one mechanic's adjustment so poor that some (obstructed)
intake valves were between '60 and 90 minutes' too loose. In
the entire life of a Honda, no valves required more than a
total '10 minutes on the clock' change - which is why a
previous mechanic is more often suspect as reason for noise.

Best to use three feeler gauges. One that is slightly too
thin, one that is proper size, and a third being too thick.
Adjustment numbers for intake and exhaust found on an engine
hood decal. After adjusting to the middle gauge, then a thin
gauge should feel decidedly loose and the thick gauge
difficult to drive between rocker arm and valve. This is how
to confirm or 'get the feel' for each valve adjustment.

Where is the #1 Top Dead Center mark on timing chain wheel?
Start by marking that notch with red nail polish - faint mark
becomes easy to see. Also write with magic marker the numbers
'2' and '3' on timing gear's ribs to remember which position
is for those valves.

A breaker bar and 19 mm socket is best for turning engine
using provided 'wheel well' hole. Before opening hood, turn
steering wheel fully left to access the hole. After doing each
valve once, then rotate engine a second time just to confirm
each adjustment, so that proper size gauge still slides and
the 'too thick' gauge sticks.


amsjsj wrote:
> I have a 96 honda accord lx non vtec. I went to the dealership
> becasue it sounds like my engine was ticking. So they sound my
> valves have to be adjusted. I have a haynes manual. I looked at
> it and it seems like its pretty hard to do. Is it really that
> hard to adjust the valves? Any suggestions or tips or help?