My pagoda has had a certain amount of valve train clatter since I purchased it 14 months ago. Last summer, my mechanic performed a valve adjustment but the clatter did not lessen.
This weekend, after thoroughly digesting the valve adjustment tour, I decided to check the clearances myself. What I discovered was that the exhaust valves were very close to the prescribed tolerances. (only one required a half turn to meet spec). Three of the intake valves, however, were showing a large enough gap between the rocker arm and the cam that I could see daylight through them!
Ah! I thought, here is the source of the clatter! I began to turn the ballpin adjusters to lessen the gap. To my surprise, as I got near to the prescribed setting, the rocker arm began to get "wobbly" on the ballpin. Not sure if this was "normal" I continued my adjustments and put everything back together. I used 5 ft lbs torque on the valve cover bolts.
To my surprise, when I started the engine there was a new clacking sound I had never heard before!
Thinking I had over-tightened the valve cover bolts and that the valve cover towers were making contact with the camshaft, I loosened them a bit.......no help.
So I rolled up my sleeves and went into the engine again. Thinking the wobling rocker arms were the source of the noise, I turned the ballpin adjusters ccw to once again increase the gap. I stopped the ccw movement when the rocker arms were once again stable on the ballpins........Logic says that this is the same condition that I found them in so I should be returning to the original condition/noise level.
I put the valve cover back on again, hooked up the linkages again.....Crossed my fingers and turned the key......Same clack clack noise!
At this point I am stumped! I am considering towing my car back to the mechanic at this point (although his "adjustment" was way off spec, he is the ONLY mechanic in my town who will work on a car of this age).
Would love to hear some suggestions!
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