0.004 or 0.006 valve adjustment every 3000 miles ?

[Ofir]

Hi,
I adjust the valves every 3000 miles , it's O.K. and safe to adjust them 0.004 instead 0.006 ? or should I stay with 0.006 ?

I'll notice any improvement when adjusting 0.004 comparing to 0.006 ?

I read that VW switch from 0.004 to 0.006 due too faulty exhaust valves resulting from lack of maintainance.

It's stock 1600cc engine

Thanks
Ofir

[Randy in Maine]

For the stock aluminum push rods, use the 0.006".

[Ofir]

Hey Randy - thanks.

I'll notice any improvement when adjusting 0.004 comparing to 0.006 ?
there is any added value for doing this ?

[Glenn]

Some people set the intake to .004" and the exhaust to .006" since the intakes don't get as hot.

If your valves are too tight then they won't fully seat. They need to fully seat so they can transefer the heat to the head and away from the valve.
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[veedubcrazy]

[Vayabroder]

Ofir; Glenn is right on. I say with these cars, with valve adjustment it's "better loose than sorry" because it's safer as it helps cool the engine a little better.

[Ofir]

Thanks.


What you guys doing set the intake to .004" and the exhaust to .006" ?

Or all valves .006" ?

[Glenn]

I had chromoly, so I set them to a "loose zero".
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[Dave]

What Glenn means by "loose zero" is that he adjusts the valves so there is no movement between the rocker arm and the valve tip ( you can't see or feel any movement there) but the pushrod still turns freely. As Glenn said, he has chromoly pushrods, which don't expand as much as the stock, aluminum pushrods. The idea between the .004 or .006 on the stockers is to give them room to expand and grow as they heat up, and have very little lash when fully warmed up.
A little O/T, but did you know that the VW 36 horse pushrods had WOOD in them? I kid you not ( or "knot" LOL)
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[Glenn]

[Vayabroder]

[Randy in Maine]

[jamestwo]

I do .004 on intake and .008 on exhaust, except on new engines, then I go .006 on itakes and .008 on exhaust.

The extra clearance is just insurance until the vlves settle in.

[Bruce]

VW went for many years with the spec of .004". The only reason they increased it to .006" was to prevent the damage done by negligent owners that didn't follow the recommended adjustment schedule. Since the recommended valve adjustment interval is 6000 miles, if you are doing it every 3000 miles, you will be perfectly safe setting them all to .004". Then make observations the next time. If the lash does not change, that confirms it is perfectly safe to set them at .004".

Setting them to .004" instead of .006" will make the engine a bit quieter since there will be less valve clatter.

[Ofir]

[MTIguy]

Ofir,

I set the valves at .006, intake and exhaust. I too asked this question many times, all of my manuals state .006 for 1500-1600. Once you set them once you will get the feel for it. I find that the feeler guage is a pain in the arse.

If you hear the mechanical tick to still seem prevelant, watch your oil type for the climate and readjust every 1500. Gaskets are cheap and the practice will help. I tried and tried untill I was satisfied. Don't get frustrated.

Good Luck
Brian

[Alan_U]

Get some good quality german cork valve cover gaskets. Glue them in with some permatex "right stuff" or the Ultra grey. Now you can use those valve cover gaskets many many times without changing them.

You should take a peak at the valve lash frequently.

You may find the valve lash is consistant. Run them at .004 if you see that they dont get tight.

Problem with people is that people with feeler guages sometimes may set the lash too tight depending on how they use the feelers. Slight friction is what you need to set them at. Too tight a friction may make a .006 valve lash actually a .0055 or even tighter.
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[nextgen]

Even though I run a T-4 In my bug,I am still using the T-1 fanhousing so I fear #3 may be getting less cooling. Not that I have ever seen a Converted T-4 overheat. BUTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT--- things happen real fast and setting the valves at .004 for 3k freaks me out. Fan belt gets loose or breaks,within minutes you can lose an engine. That happened to me in the dead of a winter snowstorm at -6f and it took minutes from when the gen light went on till I could get to a safe place to park and a rod came though the case.

I ran too many T-1's and seen too many #3 valves burnt. I will stick to .008 on the exhausts. Hay how many cars today do you valve noise and the aircooled fan whinnnnne! Ha!!! That's what makes us different!!!

Joe
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[Vayabroder]

Get yourself a DTM shroud and forget about it!!...

[aztoaster]