Why Does Valve Lash Need Adjusting?
Too much valve lash can accelerate wear on the rocker arms, cam followers, camshaft lobes, valve stem tips and valve seats. How much it does depends on the engine, and, how far out of spec the lash is. Too much lash also tends to make more noise, so you’re more likely to know it needs adjusting. Too little lash is more dangerous both because it leads to more serious problems and because it doesn’t make any noise. If the lash is too small, the valves may not seat properly when the engine warms up; causing a loss in compression and valve damage. Valve lash has a tendency to expand instead of contract as the components of the valve train wear in and age, therefore valves which tighten up are not a big risk unless improperly adjusted. How often should I check my valve lash? I’ve been told that generally to check valve lash every 20 to 30 thousand miles. Some suggest every other oil change, some suggest every 60 thousand miles. YMMV. Note: most modern vehicles do not have valve lash require
