Valve Adjustment

[tbarstow]

I just finished up my first valve adjustment.

It isn't difficult and doesn't take much longer than just checking the valves. It took longer to go to the dealer and swap buckets than it did to get the cam off, buckets out, and put them back in.

Thanks for the great resources in the HOW for making it go so easy!

[Buckelew]

I just finished up my first valve adjustment.

It isn't difficult and doesn't take much longer than just checking the valves. It took longer to go to the dealer and swap buckets than it did to get the cam off, buckets out, and put them back in.

Thanks for the great resources in the HOW for making it go so easy!

at least your dealer will do that. Mine charge me 150% over book for the valves and I have to order them. And that's 4 dealers near my home - all the same.

If I have to order them, I'll get them from Chicago BMW. $10.50/shim instead of $21

[tbarstow]

When I went to Irv Seaver BMW in Orange to check into getting the shims, they quoted a price of $14 each. Then the service manager recommended pulling the shims that I measured out of spec, and bringing them in and swapping them. He charges $20 to just swap for all of the shims that I needed.

Word of warning, 2.85mm seems to be the most popular shim size to swap, so you may be stuck buying new ones.

[woodysLT]

I just had my 2002 LT with 30K on it checked and they were just fine right in the middle of the range. I still hear a little ticking from the engine though.

[Big_E]

Ticking is good.

[Moonshine]

Think about this

Does anyone have access to a precision tool room grinder that could grind the inside spot where the valve stem contacts the bucket. There are a ton of thicker buckets out there if these could be modified as in ground down to the 2.85, 2.8, 2.75 & 2.7 this would save us a lot of money. I have several of the 2.95 & 2.9 buckets sitting on the shelf. I am thinking of trying to do this on my Bridgeport Mill but would prefer to have someone with a good grinder do the task.