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Home >> Acura >> 2003 >> 3.2CL Base >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Engine Mechanical >> Mechanical >> 3.2L V6 Engine >> Adjustments >> Valve Clearance

Valve Clearance

NOTE: Adjust the valves only when the cylinder head temperature is less than 100°F (38°C).
  1. Remove strut brace. See Fig 1.
  2. Remove the intake manifold cover (A) and ignition coil cover (B). See Fig 2.
  3. Remove the water bypass hoses (A). Disconnect the TCS control valve actuator connector (B) and TCS control valve angle sensor connector (C) from the TCS control valve assembly, then remove the bolt (D) securing the TCS control valve bracket (J32A2 engine, (A/T)). See Fig 3.
  4. Remove the evaporative emission (EVAP) canister hose (A). See Fig 4.
  5. Remove the vacuum hose (B) and breather pipe (C), then remove the intake air duct (D).
  6. Remove the throttle cable (A) and cruise control cable (B) by loosening the locknuts (C), then slipping the cable ends out of the accelerator linkage. Take care not to bend the cables when removing them. See Fig 5. Always replace any kinked cable with a new one.
    Fig 1: Removing Strut Brace
    G00299032Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
    Fig 2: Removing Intake Manifold Cover & Ignition Coil Cover(s)
    G00298083Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
    Fig 3: Removing Water Bypass Hoses
    G00296332Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
    Fig 4: Removing Evaporative Emission Canister Hose & Fresh Air Intake
    G00299033Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
    Fig 5: Removing Throttle & Cruise Control Cable
    G00298157Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  7. Remove the breather hose (A) and water bypass hose. See Fig 6.
  8. Remove the brake booster vacuum hose (A), vacuum hoses (B) and Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) hose (C). See Fig 7.
  9. Remove the P/S hose clamp (A). Disconnect the Intake Manifold Runner Control (IMRC) actuator connector (B). Remove the IMRC actuator (C) (J32A2 engine). See Fig 8.
  10. Remove two bolts securing wire harness holder. See Fig 9.
  11. Remove the following engine wire harness connectors and wire harness clamps from the intake manifold;
    • Intake Air Temperature (IAT) sensor connector.
    • Idle Air Control (IAC) valve connector.
    • Throttle Position (TP) sensor connector.
    • Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor connector.
  12. Remove the upper cover (A), then remove the intake manifold (B). See Fig 10.
  13. Remove the cylinder head covers.
    Fig 6: Removing Breather Hose & Water Bypass Hose
    G00299034Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
    Fig 7: Removing Brake Booster Vacuum Hose & Vacuum Hoses
    G00299035Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
    Fig 8: Removing Power Steering Hose Clamp
    G00297634Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
    Fig 9: Removing Two Bolts Securing Wire Harness Holder
    G00299036Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
    Fig 10: Removing Upper Cover & Intake Manifold
    G00299037Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  14. Set the No. 1 piston at Top Dead Center (TDC). Align the pointer (A) on the front upper cover with the No. 1 piston TDC mark (B) on the front camshaft pulley. See Fig 11.
  15. Select the correct thickness feeler gauge for the valves you are going to check. See Fig 12 and VALVE CLEARANCE SPECIFICATIONS  table.
    VALVE CLEARANCE SPECIFICATIONS

    Application Specification - In. (mm)
    Intake .008-.009 (.20-.24 mm)
    Exhaust .011-.013 (.28-.32 mm)
  16. Insert feeler gauge (A) between the adjusting screw (B) and the end of the valve stem and slide it back and forth; you should feel a slight amount of drag. See Fig 13.
  17. If you feel too much or too little drag, loosen the locknut (A) and turn the adjusting screw (B) until the drag on the feeler gauge is correct. See Fig 14.
  18. Tighten the locknut and recheck the clearance. Repeat the adjustment if necessary.
    Fig 11: Setting Piston At Top Dead Center
    G00299038Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
    Fig 12: Identifying Valve Rocker Locations
    G00299039Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
    Fig 13: Inserting Feeler Gauge Between Adjusting Screw & End Of Valve Stem
    G00297631Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
    Fig 14: Adjusting Drag On Feeler Gauge
    G00297632Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  19. Rotate the crankshaft clockwise. Align the pointer (A) on the front upper cover with the No. 4 piston TDC mark (B) on the front camshaft pulley. See Fig 11.
  20. Check and, if necessary, adjust the valve clearance on No. 4 cylinder.
  21. Rotate the crankshaft clockwise. Align the pointer (A) on the front upper cover with the No. 2 piston TDC mark (B) on the front camshaft pulley. See Fig 11.
  22. Check and, if necessary, adjust the valve clearance on No. 2 cylinder.
  23. Rotate the crankshaft clockwise. Align the pointer (A) on the front upper cover with the No. 5 piston TDC mark (B) on the front camshaft pulley. See Fig 11.
  24. Check and, if necessary, adjust the valve clearance on No. 5 cylinder.
  25. Rotate the crankshaft clockwise. Align the pointer (A) on the front upper cover with the No. 3 piston TDC mark (B) on the front camshaft pulley. See Fig 11.
  26. Check and, if necessary, adjust the valve clearance on No. 3 cylinder.
  27. Rotate the crankshaft clockwise. Align the pointer (A) on the front upper cover with the No. 6 piston TDC mark (B) on the front camshaft pulley. See Fig 11.
  28. Check and, if necessary, adjust the valve clearance on No. 6 cylinder.
  29. Reinstall all removed parts. Tighten all fasteners to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
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