Ok guys I've always thought the valves needed to be adjusted every 30k or so... I've got 65k on my car now and its making a lot of noise on the low end in first. I called my dealership and asked about valve lash adjustment and they simply told me it doesn't have to be done - they're self adjusting... Its this a load of BS or what? can someone shed some light?

I have an '04 ralliart w/ injen CAI and RR underdrive pulley

ps -I'm in the minneapolis area if anyone knows a good shop

Thanks

 

For valves to be self adjusting they would need some sort of solenoid. Our valves are NOT self adjusting; I think that even the owners manual states that the valve lash adjustment should be done every 30,000 miles. Does it sound kind of like a diesel engine at idle? If so, its definitely time to do the adjustment...And its not that hard to do, just follow the instructions in the how to section. (I did mine without ever opening an engine before).

 

Yeah, that is exactly what is sounds like. I wonder if the guy at mitsubishi thought I had an EVO? that's just bizarre that the service guy would say that if its not true.

The valve lash adjustment seems a bit intimidating which is why I considered the shop first. Heh, they charge $1100 for a 60k maintenance which basically includes everything I've already done for the car except change the timing belt - but apparently not valve adjustment...

anyway thanks. I will study the DIY some more.

 

I have never thought to do this until reading this post. My car has just over 60,000 miles on it and the valves have never been checked. Might make it my weeked project to check this out. I know I will just want to get new valves when I get to looking at the ones I have. I suffer from a constant need to better things

 

Fortunately, when you're adjusting the valve lash, you can't see the actual valves. You might just get through it with your wallet intact. At least until you change your timing belt (unless you DIY)

 

I kind of figured I would have to take the head off to really get to them. I've never had the 4g69 motor apart and would be quite tempted if it weren't for the hassle of draining all the fluids and everything.

 

Nah, only have to remove the valve cover.

 

OK I have another noob question for you brilliant people

Last weekend I decided to do the valve lash adjustment but before I started I thought I would try measuring the valve lash and found the feeler gauge didn't fit on the valves that rock freely (both exhaust and intake). This surprised me because I expected the gaps would be too big and I would be tightening them. I used the feeler gauges indicated in the how-to (I don't remember what they are off the top of my head)

Does this sound normal? should the gaps be too small instead of too large? I have about 66,500 on my engine and never had them adjusted before.

I've never worked on valves before so I panicked and didn't make any adjustments. I wanted to check in with the experts before I start tooling around with something I've never touched before.

Thanks guys