My 8 day valve adjustment

[bignosejim]

That's the pitfall of doing a valve adjustment without the shim kit. I decided to spare some cash and order some shims individually. I ordered (2) 2.20, (2) 2.24, (4) 2.28, (4) 2.32, (4) 2.36 and (4) 2.40 shims. I also got the valve cover gasket kit and shim tool from ECS tuning.

Here are some pics:

Picture of the before


Also changed the vanos filter... it was pretty clean


Here's a pic of the coil packs and Oxygen sensor wires and some advice


There she is in all her glory


The tools that I used


Some mandatory pics of my vanos pump tabs....still intact




After 8 very long days and some clean up


I had to order some more shims. I needed another 2.28 and (2) 2.44 shims. It turns out that no dealership in the DFW stocks these. They all had to order them, so I just used the internet. One of the dealerships wanted $7.95 a shim! That's what took so long. I ended up changing a total of 15 shims.

Next on the Inspection 1 list brake system flush and CDV delete.

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by bignosejim

...... I ended up changing a total of 15 shims.
...

15??
holy schit!!!! never heard of so many needing replacement.

[DanMcoupe]

How's many miles on the engine?
and How's the engine running before and after?

[bignosejim]

Originally Posted by DanMcoupe

How's many miles on the engine?
and How's the engine running before and after?

24,009 miles. The engine ran strong before the valve adjustment and is running strong...

That is after I connected the oxygen sensor cables correctly. Before that it was idling fine but hesitated a lot. I only made it around the block before pulling into my garage. I checked each coil quickly and no problems, then switched the O2 sensor wires. I thought that they would only go on one way. Turns out you can get them mixed up.

[ZStig]

wanna do mine next?

[mhughett]

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

15??
holy schit!!!! never heard of so many needing replacement.

My inspection I valve adjustment resulted in 16 valves requiring different size shims. It wasn't bad before but it seems a little quieter now.

[330indy]

OP: great pics
and thanks for lessons learned

[Finnegan]

Cool! Timely and informative thread!

BTW, how were the lime chicken kabobs (photo 5)? Mmmm....kabobs.

[bignosejim]

Originally Posted by Roffle Waffle

wanna do mine next?

It's really an easy procedure to do. I just followed the TIS and took pictures so that I would know how everything went back together. Just measure the gap and the shim and use the next size as appropriate. It really helps peace of mind seeing my vanos tabs intact and being able to test for movement of the intake camshaft sprocket (sign of loose sprocket bolts) and replacing the vanos pressure limiting valve filter.

Originally Posted by 330indy

OP: great pics
and thanks for lessons learned

That's the main reason I wanted to start this thread. So others can learn from my mistakes. There should be plenty of more opportunities in the future!

Originally Posted by Finnegan

Cool! Timely and informative thread!

BTW, how were the lime chicken kabobs (photo 5)? Mmmm....kabobs.

Ha Ha! I think they are still in the freezer/workbench in the garage.

[inTgr8r]

one other note.....

Don't forget to plug all the oil returns on the head, as well as the sparkplug wells.

[bignosejim]

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

one other note.....

Don't forget to plug all the oil returns on the head, as well as the sparkplug wells.

I did. That was a pic right after the valve cover came off. Anything that looked like a hole got covered! Only dropped one shim, and it was pretty easy to find.

[thekurgan]

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

one other note.....

Don't forget to plug all the oil returns on the head, as well as the sparkplug wells.

I ended up using my paper towels after, stuffed into the spark plug socket with a little brake cleaner to clean the plug seats, carbon tends to build up there.

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by bignosejim

I did. That was a pic right after the valve cover came off. Anything that looked like a hole got covered! Only dropped one shim, and it was pretty easy to find.

dropped one when I did mine as well, it was a bugger to find.
I was glad that I had things plugged.

[STIHLBOLTS]

I just had mine done at 38k. We replaced 5 shims. I purchased a whole box of shims. What I was wondering was should I have also changed out the spark plugs? I did not think about that before we started the project, but since the cover is easily enough taken off I can still order them and install.

Regards

And your pictures are no long showing.

[davesz4mc]

I have the shim kit and a shop in San Antonio if anyone else in the area needs sit done. Roffle I will do it for you if you drive down lol

[bignosejim]

Originally Posted by STIHLBOLTS

I just had mine done at 38k. We replaced 5 shims. I purchased a whole box of shims. What I was wondering was should I have also changed out the spark plugs? I did not think about that before we started the project, but since the cover is easily enough taken off I can still order them and install.

Regards

And your pictures are no long showing.

I believe spark plugs are due to be changed at 60,000 miles according to my service checklist (that I got from a jmillet post).

Fixed the pics also.

[STIHLBOLTS]

I will order them in plenty of time. I don't know if he still has any kits left, but Ron Styger had them for around $250 dollars a couple of months back.

Regards

[Ron Stygar]

Box shims gone. Went from $456.73 to $468.38 retail

******

I have 36 shims left.
1.72 - 6
1.76 - 6
1.80 - 6
1.84 - 6
1.88 - 5
1.96 - 6
2.12 - 1

36 Separate shims $123.48 retail ($3.43) each retail.
$3.48 ($125.28) retail ($3.48) each at 06/21/12.

Will sell 36 separate shims $74.88 ($2.08 each) plus shipping.

http://www.penskeparts.com/DiagramsR...iagram=11_3006
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[Pheonix]

Getting a comlete shims kit was the best decision i made and the magnetic tool is a "Must Have". I also did it the easy way by measured/adjusted everything to the higher ends of the specs. I changed out 3 shims on the intake and 3 shims on the exhaust.
I will put up the shims kit up for sale shortly as well

[STIHLBOLTS]

^Are you selling the car? At 20k/15K intervals you will be checking and changing shims again. I personally don't plan on selling my car, but if I did I would sell the shims to the new owner or make it part of the deal since I already bought them.

Regards

[Pheonix]

Originally Posted by STIHLBOLTS

^Are you selling the car? At 20k/15K intervals you will be checking and changing shims again. I personally don't plan on selling my car, but if I did I would sell the shims to the new owner or make it part of the deal since I already bought them.

Regards

Not anytime soon. Since i live in the Northeast and don't/can't the car year round, it wil be awhile til my next service interval (even at 15k miles). I figure i could refill the Kit and sell it so someone could use them right away (instead of it sitting in my toolbox).

[STIHLBOLTS]

Gottcha.

Yea, shorter driving season that's understandable.

Regards