[roverguy10]

I decided to do a valve adjustment since I am approaching the Inspection II point and I took my valve cover and intake plenum off for painting. I created the attached chart for recording the values and doing the math to calculate what shims I need. Thought I'd share it with the forum in case anyone else wants to use it..
It has the values from my car in it; just replace the Clearance and Measured Shim columns with your numbers.
I did mine in inches since all of my tools measure in inches so if you do it in metric you need to change the value in the required shim calculation (change the desired # at the bottom)
Lastly, you need to look at the Required Shim (mm) and decide if you want ot round up or down to the nearest .05 - I didn't feel like writing the necessary embedded code to make Excel do the work.

*I usually choose rounding down so that you get a slightly larger initial clearance as that should shrink with time as the engine runs due to wear on the inside of the head where the valve sits.

 

[Evolve]

Awesome post! Thank you. Was going to tackle this by myself instead of paying 600 to the shop, plus just interested to learn. Is it hard for a n00b?

 

[davidoli]

Thanks for taking the time to share your spreadsheet . I do recall other members posting similar tables .

Just to add :

Valves and seats will not always wear , thereby reducing the valve clearance . Sometimes the valves may coke up which may actually increase clearances .

Various tuners have different preferences in relation to clearances on the intake and exhaust valves .

After discussion with many reputable specialists , I now opt for as close to 0.28mm on the intake i.e. Tight and 0.33mm on the exhaust i.e. loose .

 

[roverguy10]

Thanks for the advice. I ordered my shims already today, so this iteration I'm going to try to get as close to .30mm (.012 in) as possible. I'll see how the car runs with these clearances and go from there.

 

[roverguy10]

Awesome post! Thank you. Was going to tackle this by myself instead of paying 600 to the shop, plus just interested to learn. Is it hard for a n00b?

It's not hard at all, but you need to make sure you have the valve adjustment tool (BMW double ended tappet drepressor Part Number: BMW 113-170) and a good set of angled feeler gauges. Metric gauges are better as the steps are smaller, but it can be done in inches with slightly less precision.

go to the following for directions:
E30 M3 Valve Adjustment Procedure

 

[Evolve]

It's not hard at all, but you need to make sure you have the valve adjustment tool (BMW double ended tappet drepressor Part Number: BMW 113-170) and a good set of angled feeler gauges. Metric gauges are better as the steps are smaller, but it can be done in inches with slightly less precision.

go to the following for directions:
E30 M3 Valve Adjustment Procedure

Sweet! TY!

 

[2man]

this ALMOST gives me the courage to try it out myself!

 

[Evolve]

this ALMOST gives me the courage to try it out myself!

Doooo iiit!

 

[Venom]

I reccomend to do this job by yourself. It is not so complicated. Remember that the shims are produces every 0.05 mm so sometimes is not possible to adjust all valves for desired value.

Doing a job

and here is my sheet

 

[Venom]

I offer tools for sale
http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/pa...lve-clerance-adjustment-tool.html#post2272713

 

[davidoli]

Those bucket depressing tools look good and I agree that it can be problematic changing the shims on cylinder 6 , especially on the exhaust side , so a shorter tool , specifically for either intake or exhaust , is a good idea .

D

 

[Venom]

Thank you for your opinion

 

[Calgary3.6]

Funny. I cut my bucket tool in half the first time I went to use it. 10 years ago.

 

[davidoli]

I was wondering how long it would be before this idea was raised .

D

 

[Nikosx]

Cut mine in half and welded steel stock to the ends to add an inch or two to each handle.

 

[Bondy]

An inch or two is always useful mate.

 

[googone20]

I see a valve adjustment in my future. Time for me to finally learn how to do this myself.

 

[nick575]

Hello Guys,

I bought my car with 269.000 km-s on it. I have 284.000 now. I didn't do the valve adjustment. When should i do it ? Or are there any signs that its time to do it ? Or i should do it after every 10.000 km ?
I am not a proffessional in the maintanence. Since i bought my car these things have been done:
- new waterpump
- all fluids replaced (except transmission oil and differential oil)
- new sparkplugs (original Bosch Y6DC ordered from local BMW saloon)
- and some other things but it doesnt connecting to this theme
- new spark plug wire (BHERU)
There is only on thing which makes me a little angry. The idle rpm is around 850. I think it is a bit high.

So my main question is: When should i do the valve adjustment?
Thanks for the answers in advance

 

[uk_bm]

It is preventative maintenance. If you are not aware of it being done then you ought to do it.

 

[nick575]

I dont know when it was done in the past so i will do it next month.
Thanks for the help