The first thing you should do is disconnect the negative battery cable, but make sure you have the security codes for your radio first because it may have a coded anti theft circuit. If you cant find the codes, try using a code saver that you buy at any parts house.

This procedure should be done with the engine cold.

Rotate the crank shaft counter clock wise with a 17mm socket until you see the white timing notch on the Crankshaft pulley line up with the mark on the timing belt cover. It will look like a gun site. You want the engine at TDC or Top Dead Center on the compression stroke position.

Next remove the Spark Plug Boots with wires out of the Valve cover,one at a time . Dont worry about  mixing up the firing order since the wires will only reach there selected spark plug hole.  They should look like the photo above.

Next remove the Valve cover retaining bolts ( 5 of them ) and the small intake breather hose on the back left of the cover. Then lift the valve cover off of the cylinder head and place it to the side upside down. Now would be a good time to check for any oil leaks that you may have due to a worn Valve cover gasket. If so then replace the rubber gasket with an OEM ( Original Equipment Manufacturer )on.

Your Valve train assembly should look like the photo above. Next remove the timing belt cover. Its held in place with two 10 mm bolts. You want to remove this for two reasons. First this way you can tell if your set at the compression stroke or the exhaust stroke. Next this will give you a chance to inspect the timing belt .

Look at the front of the camshaft pulley. You should see the word  ” UP “ on the front of the sprocket . If its upside down, then rotate the crankshaft pulley counter clockwise until is right side up.

Now you can begin adjusting the first set of valves. You will need a feeler gauge to do this so if you don’t have one get one now. You will also need a small flat head screw driver and a 10mm wrench.

Make sure you have the proper adjustment specs for your Honda. They are located on the underside of the hood right under the word Catalyst. If you can’t find it check your owners manual or you might have to buy an after market repair manual. Chiltons and Haynes are a few good ones.

On our 2000 Honda Civic the spec for the  Intake is -  .20 mm and for the Exhaust its -  .25 mm . Remember your working with mm not inches so use the right number on your feeler guage.

With the cylinder at TDC on the compression stroke, check the valve clearance at the valve stem on the Number one cylinder intake valves. Slide your feel gauge between between the valve stem and rocker arm and feel for a slight drag on your feeler gauge. If it slides through easily or cannot be inserted at all then loosen the the lock-nut and turn the adjusting screw with a screw driver until the feeler gauge slides through with a little drag like the photo below

When you get it set were you want it, then hold the adjusting screw and tighten the locking-nut. Check it again to make sure the adjusting screw didnt turn on you. Thats one. Remember there are at least two valves for the intake side of a single cylinder and the same applies for the exhaust .

With the engine set at the compression stroke you can adjust the intake and exhaust valves for for the # 1 cylinder.  Next move to the # 2 cylinder intake valves and the # 3 cylinder exhaust valves.

Once you have done this, rotate the crankshaft pulley one revolution until the camshaft pulley has the word mark    ” UP  ” sitting up side down. Now you can move on to the remaining valves

This would be # 3 cylinder intake valves and the # 2 cylinder exhaust valves and of course both intake and exhaust of the # 4 cylinder valves.

Once your done make sure the locking nut is tight on all of the valves and that no tools are left in the valve assembly.

Now put everything back as you have removed it and reconnect the negative battery cable. Make sure that all tools are removed before you start it up. If you did it right it should sound very quite. If you still have a lifter clatter, then go back and check them again. If you still have a clatter then you may have an issue with your valve train and you should have it inspected by a qualified mechanic.

If you get stuck and need some help then Blog me your question and I will try to answer it . But remember to consult your repair manual first. They are a must when trying to do it yourself.

Until next time, this is Jeff Williams saying Thanks for stopping by and check out my latest release  on DVD from Video Car Tech. Its everything for Honda Civic owners who want to do there own Brakes. I guarantee you are gonna save money with this DVD and its fun to watch , I just know your gonna like it and remember that if this site has been helpful to you then please click on the coffee cup icon below to help us keep tthis site running. Thanks. Jeff

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