gmarktbone Posted July 12, 2008 Posted July 12, 2008 I am going to attempt a first time valve adjust on my 02. I think I know how to find tdc on the left cylinder by looking at the indicator window on the other cylinder. What do you have to do when adjusting the right cylinder? What should the indicator window say for adjusting that cylinder? Thanks,
Jeepster Posted July 12, 2008 Posted July 12, 2008 Just rotate the flywheel 360 degrees. The same mark is used for both cylinders. Check that both rocker arms are loose on the cylinder and that is the one to adjust on that rotation.
Jeepster Posted July 12, 2008 Posted July 12, 2008 BTW the window is actually just behind the right cylinder. Look for a 5/8 in. rubber plug and carefully pry it out. You'll be surprised how easy a valve adjust really is after doing one.
Ken H. Posted July 12, 2008 Posted July 12, 2008 Our just use the long stick in through the spark plug hole method. Bump the engine until it is push out to max, check the rocker play. If both are loose, you are good to adjust that side. If not, adjust the other side first, then rotate one revolution and do the other side.
stonkers441 Posted July 12, 2008 Posted July 12, 2008 And, when replacing the rubber plug, insert a pointy awl through the center of the plug, then gently press it back into the hole with a small screwdriver, one side at a time. losing the plug inside the case is very annoying.
Ken H. Posted July 13, 2008 Posted July 13, 2008 losing the plug inside the case is very annoying. Annoying, but certainly not 'fatal.' As many of those things that there are laying in the bottom of oilheads, I often wondered if BMW tracks parts failure rates if they are still scratching their heads wondering why the purchase rate on that plug is so high and how can they all be 'failing!'
CT_Rider Posted July 13, 2008 Posted July 13, 2008 And, when replacing the rubber plug, insert a pointy awl through the center of the plug, then gently press it back into the hole with a small screwdriver, one side at a time. losing the plug inside the case is very annoying. Or if you're at Woodie's Mini TechDaze you replace the cover by sticking a looped piece of tape to the light end of a small MagLite flashlight. Stick the cover on the tape and PUSH it back where it belongs!! Yeah, baby!
PapaJ Posted July 13, 2008 Posted July 13, 2008 I use the tdc mark on the flywheel along with the arrow on the side of the cam gear. When the arrow comes parallel to the ground pointing outward that cylinder is now TDC. By the way, the stick int the spark plug hole is a good way to know when the piston is approaching TDC so you can stark looking for the arrow and the mark.
gmarktbone Posted July 13, 2008 Author Posted July 13, 2008 Is there an arrow on each flywheel? or is it just on one cylinder?
Wooster Posted July 13, 2008 Posted July 13, 2008 Mark, Best wishes for your first oilhead valve check/adjust. While manuals often cite the one and only "OT" mark on the flywheel as sign of ONE cylinder being at TDC Compression, many riders use the more easily accessed arrow on the small gear which turns the camshaft. There is one arrow on the gear (arrow needs to be pointing away from crankcase and parallel to garage floor) and a cam gear is located on both cylinders. NOTE - Even the arrow on cam gear method only determines TDC, not whether it's the compression or exhaust stroke. Best method for determining compression from exhaust stroke is to observe the intake valve stem move; next siting of either the "OT" mark on flywheel or the arrow on cam gear means that cylinder (the one where you saw the intake valve stem move) is TDC compression and ready for your feeler gauges. Two cautions here are the very strippable threads on the four bolts which hold the valve cover on and the nut on the valve clearance adjuster; each needs something like 8 N/M, a very light amount of force, perhaps a moderate one finger tug on an eight inch wrench. Again, best wishes for your valve clearance job. Wooster
notacop Posted July 13, 2008 Posted July 13, 2008 Once you get the TDC figured out, I just used the rear tire in 5th and rotated it, forget the front cover thing to get at the bolt up front. After several 100K on air/oil heads, I set them a tad loose. Didn't have them close up on me and found they didn't need adjustment that much. If you red line the bike a lot the adjustment may need a little. A lot of the bikes including the 2000RTP I didn't bother with valve check 'cept every 18-20K. They make that comforting ticky-ticky noise that meant they ain't tight!
gmarktbone Posted July 14, 2008 Author Posted July 14, 2008 OK, sorry for sounding like an idiot, but once I find TDC on cylinder one by rotating the cam until I see OT, do I just rotate the engine clockwise past S until I get to OT again to find TDC on cylinder two? I know some of you guys have to be thinking-how the hell is this guy going to adjust valves if he doesn't understand the concept of TDC? Well, I'm just trying to own a BMW without going broke (I know-this may be impossible).
gmarktbone Posted July 14, 2008 Author Posted July 14, 2008 I never red-line the bike. I have rarely gotten it over 5k.
Jeepster Posted July 14, 2008 Posted July 14, 2008 That's right. You'll have to rotate the engine through a complete revolution to do the valves on the second cylinder. Believe me I went through the same angst you are experiencing now, not to long ago. Have no worries it will make sense after the first one is under your belt. Just remember that only one of the cylinders will be in position to adjust the valves on each rev. of the motor. You should be able to wiggle the rocker arms on both intake and exhaust of the cylinder if it is in proper position.
gmarktbone Posted July 14, 2008 Author Posted July 14, 2008 OK, Thanks to all for the advice. I'm gonna give it a go next weekend.
Slyder_Steve Posted July 14, 2008 Posted July 14, 2008 Mark, If you're at all concerned about taking this on by yourself, I'm about 250 miles South of you (Gulf Breeze, FL)--easy ride down 65. I was taught by a couple Zen masters from this board and will be more than happy to lend you a hand. Just give me a shout. Might even be tempted to head North. Slyder
flars Posted July 14, 2008 Posted July 14, 2008 Just be careful when you put the valve covers back on. The bolts do NOT have to be very tight. The actual torque value is very small. I just turn the bolts till I feel the flared part make contact. Just turn the bolt slowly, and you will feel it touch down. Then walk away...
gmarktbone Posted July 14, 2008 Author Posted July 14, 2008 I think I have enough info to give it a try, but I'll let you know.
Jim Moore Posted July 15, 2008 Posted July 15, 2008 I never red-line the bike. I have rarely gotten it over 5k. Well, ya should. It's great fun, and they like to be revved high. They shift a lot smoother above 6500 rpm also.
philbytx Posted July 15, 2008 Posted July 15, 2008 Red-Line it....Italian Tune-up and all that I like to bounce mine off the rev-limiter every time I'm out riding Actually, it's just to make sure the electrickery still works (WEG!!!)
BFish Posted July 15, 2008 Posted July 15, 2008 Just be careful when you put the valve covers back on. The bolts do NOT have to be very tight. The actual torque value is very small. I just turn the bolts till I feel the flared part make contact. Just turn the bolt slowly, and you will feel it touch down. Then walk away... Flars advice s/n/b taken lightly. do not over tighten.
notacop Posted July 15, 2008 Posted July 15, 2008 I never red-line the bike. I have rarely gotten it over 5k. Well, ya should. It's great fun, and they like to be revved high. They shift a lot smoother above 6500 rpm also. Boy, is that the truth. At least on a bike that has a rev limiter. Makes the motor sing and the adrenaline flow. Yousa, yousa!
breyfogle Posted July 15, 2008 Posted July 15, 2008 Red-Line it....Italian Tune-up and all that I like to bounce mine off the rev-limiter every time I'm out riding Actually, it's just to make sure the electrickery still works (WEG!!!) And if it doesn't work - - - Ka-Pow !!
SKYGZR Posted July 16, 2008 Posted July 16, 2008 "Run 'em till the valves float" has been ruined by these damn rev limiters!!!
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.