TheSamba.com :: View topic - 0.004 or 0.006 valve adjustment every 3000 miles ?

Thu Oct 19, 2006 6:10 am

Hi,
I adjust the valves every 3000 miles , it's O.K. and safe to adjust them 0.004 instead 0.006 ? or should I stay with 0.006 ?

I'll notice any improvement when adjusting 0.004 comparing to 0.006 ?

I read that VW switch from 0.004 to 0.006 due too faulty exhaust valves resulting from lack of maintainance.

It's stock 1600cc engine

Thanks
Ofir

Thu Oct 19, 2006 6:12 am

For the stock aluminum push rods, use the 0.006".

Thu Oct 19, 2006 6:14 am

Hey Randy - thanks.

I'll notice any improvement when adjusting 0.004 comparing to 0.006 ?
there is any added value for doing this ?

Thu Oct 19, 2006 6:22 am

Some people set the intake to .004" and the exhaust to .006" since the intakes don't get as hot.

If your valves are too tight then they won't fully seat. They need to fully seat so they can transefer the heat to the head and away from the valve.

Thu Oct 19, 2006 6:26 am

Ofir wrote: Hey Randy - thanks.

I'll notice any improvement when adjusting 0.004 comparing to 0.006 ?
there is any added value for doing this ?

About 20 hp.... :shock: :lol:

Thu Oct 19, 2006 6:56 am

Ofir; Glenn is right on. I say with these cars, with valve adjustment it's "better loose than sorry" because it's safer as it helps cool the engine a little better.

Thu Oct 19, 2006 7:10 am

Thanks.

What you guys doing set the intake to .004" and the exhaust to .006" ?

Or all valves .006" ?

Thu Oct 19, 2006 7:41 am

I had chromoly, so I set them to a "loose zero".

Thu Oct 19, 2006 7:59 am

What Glenn means by "loose zero" is that he adjusts the valves so there is no movement between the rocker arm and the valve tip ( you can't see or feel any movement there) but the pushrod still turns freely. As Glenn said, he has chromoly pushrods, which don't expand as much as the stock, aluminum pushrods. The idea between the .004 or .006 on the stockers is to give them room to expand and grow as they heat up, and have very little lash when fully warmed up.
A little O/T, but did you know that the VW 36 horse pushrods had WOOD in them? I kid you not ( or "knot" LOL)

Thu Oct 19, 2006 8:05 am

Dave wrote: A little O/T, but did you know that the VW 36 horse pushrods had WOOD in them? I kid you not ( or "knot" LOL)

Isn't having some wood a good thing? :wink:

Thu Oct 19, 2006 8:52 am

Ofir wrote: Thanks.

What you guys doing set the intake to .004" and the exhaust to .006" ?

Or all valves .006" ?

You can do either one but the later editions of the VW Service Manual suggested .006" for all valves; it's also easier that way because you're only using one type of feeler gauge for all adjustments.

Thu Oct 19, 2006 9:07 am

Glenn wrote: Dave wrote: A little O/T, but did you know that the VW 36 horse pushrods had WOOD in them? I kid you not ( or "knot" LOL)

Isn't having some wood a good thing? :wink:

That is called "morning wood".

I set them all (stock aluminum push rods) to 0.006". I love that engine sound, sort of like a turbocharged sewing machine. Sweet.

Thu Oct 19, 2006 9:23 am

I do .004 on intake and .008 on exhaust, except on new engines, then I go .006 on itakes and .008 on exhaust.

The extra clearance is just insurance until the vlves settle in.

Ofir wrote: Thanks.

What you guys doing set the intake to .004" and the exhaust to .006" ?

Or all valves .006" ?

Thu Oct 19, 2006 12:51 pm

VW went for many years with the spec of .004". The only reason they increased it to .006" was to prevent the damage done by negligent owners that didn't follow the recommended adjustment schedule. Since the recommended valve adjustment interval is 6000 miles, if you are doing it every 3000 miles, you will be perfectly safe setting them all to .004". Then make observations the next time. If the lash does not change, that confirms it is perfectly safe to set them at .004".

Setting them to .004" instead of .006" will make the engine a bit quieter since there will be less valve clatter.

Thu Oct 19, 2006 1:33 pm

Bruce wrote: VW went for many years with the spec of .004". The only reason they increased it to .006" was to prevent the damage done by negligent owners that didn't follow the recommended adjustment schedule. Since the recommended valve adjustment interval is 6000 miles, if you are doing it every 3000 miles, you will be perfectly safe setting them all to .004". Then make observations the next time. If the lash does not change, that confirms it is perfectly safe to set them at .004".

Setting them to .004" instead of .006" will make the engine a bit quieter since there will be less valve clatter.
Bruce thanks for your clear to the point answer. ( as usual )
Ofir

Thu Oct 19, 2006 3:04 pm

Ofir,

I set the valves at .006, intake and exhaust. I too asked this question many times, all of my manuals state .006 for 1500-1600. Once you set them once you will get the feel for it. I find that the feeler guage is a pain in the arse.

If you hear the mechanical tick to still seem prevelant, watch your oil type for the climate and readjust every 1500. Gaskets are cheap and the practice will help. I tried and tried untill I was satisfied. Don't get frustrated.

Good Luck
Brian

Fri Oct 20, 2006 8:24 am

Get some good quality german cork valve cover gaskets. Glue them in with some permatex "right stuff" or the Ultra grey. Now you can use those valve cover gaskets many many times without changing them.

You should take a peak at the valve lash frequently.

You may find the valve lash is consistant. Run them at .004 if you see that they dont get tight.

Problem with people is that people with feeler guages sometimes may set the lash too tight depending on how they use the feelers. Slight friction is what you need to set them at. Too tight a friction may make a .006 valve lash actually a .0055 or even tighter.

Fri Oct 20, 2006 9:18 am

Even though I run a T-4 In my bug,I am still using the T-1 fanhousing so I fear #3 may be getting less cooling. Not that I have ever seen a Converted T-4 overheat. BUTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT--- things happen real fast and setting the valves at .004 for 3k freaks me out. Fan belt gets loose or breaks,within minutes you can lose an engine. That happened to me in the dead of a winter snowstorm at -6f and it took minutes from when the gen light went on till I could get to a safe place to park and a rod came though the case.

I ran too many T-1's and seen too many #3 valves burnt. I will stick to .008 on the exhausts. Hay how many cars today do you valve noise and the aircooled fan whinnnnne! Ha!!! That's what makes us different!!!

Joe

Fri Oct 20, 2006 11:20 am

Get yourself a DTM shroud and forget about it!!...

Fri Oct 20, 2006 12:00 pm

Alan_U wrote: Problem with people is that people with feeler guages sometimes may set the lash too tight depending on how they use the feelers. Slight friction is what you need to set them at. Too tight a friction may make a .006 valve lash actually a .0055 or even tighter.

thanks for the tip...I'll keep this in mind whilst dialing in the valves. I've been setting them at .006 and check with the .008 feeler. If the .008 slides through, I tighten it down some more. I failed to think of the other end of spectrum.