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Testing and Adjusting
3024C and C1.1 Engines for Caterpillar Built Machines
Media Number -SENR5005-03 Publication Date -01/04/2007 Date Updated -20/04/2007
i02735976
Engine Valve Lash - Inspect/Adjust
SMCS - 1102-025
S/N - CAB1-UP
S/N - MJH1-UP
S/N - SCH1-UP
S/N - C4F1-UP
S/N - C3D1-UP
S/N - C5F1-UP
S/N - MTL1-UP
S/N - BXM1-UP
S/N - RLL1-UP
S/N - C4X1-UP
S/N - C3A1-UP
S/N - C3C1-UP
S/N - SLK1-UP
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To prevent possible injury, do not use the starter to turn the flywheel.
Hot engine components can cause burns. Allow additional time for the
engine to cool before measuring valve clearance.
If the valve lash requires adjustment several times in a short period of time, excessive wear exists in a
different part of the engine. Repair the problem in order to prevent more damage to the engine.
Not enough valve lash can be the cause of rapid wear of the camshaft and valve lifters. Not enough
valve lash can indicate that the seats for the valves are worn.
Valves become worn due to the following causes:
• Incorrect operation of fuel injection nozzles
• Excessive dirt and oil are present on the filters for the inlet air.
• Incorrect fuel settings on the fuel injection pump.
• The load capacity of the engine is frequently exceeded.
Too much valve lash can cause broken valve stems, springs, and spring retainers. Too much valve
lash can be an indication of the following problems:
• Worn camshaft and valve lifters
• Worn rocker arms
• Bent pushrods
• Broken socket on the upper end of a pushrod
• Loose adjustment screw for the valve lash
If the camshaft and valve lifters show rapid wear, look for fuel in the lubrication oil or dirty
lubrication oil as a possible cause.
Valve Lash Check
An adjustment is NOT NECESSARY if the measurement of the valve lash is in the acceptable range.
Check the valve lash while the engine is stopped. The clearance is specified in Table 2.
Table 1
Valve Lash
Valves Acceptable Clearance for Valve Lash
Inlet 0.20 mm (0.008 inch)
Exhaust
0.20 mm (0.008 inch)
If the measurement is not within the acceptable clearance, adjustment is necessary. Refer to the
Systems Operation, Testing and Adjusting Module, "Valve Lash Adjustment" topic.
Valve Lash Adjustment
The valve lash is measured between the top of the valve stem and the rocker arm lever. Refer to the
Specifications Module, "Engine Design" topic for the correct valve lash.
Note: No. 1 cylinder is at the front of the engine.
Note: When these procedures are performed, the front housing must be installed.
Perform the following procedures in order to adjust the valve lash:
Illustration 1 g00396857
Sequence for setting the valve lash (typical example)
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Illustration 2 g00473333
(9) Adjustment screw
(10) Feeler gauge
1. Rotate the crankshaft in the clockwise direction that is viewed from the front of the engine.
When the inlet valve of the number 4 cylinder has opened and the exhaust valve of the number
4 cylinder has not completely closed, measure the valve lash of the inlet valve (1) and the
exhaust valve (2) of the No. 1 cylinder.
a. Loosen the valve adjustment screw locknut that is on the adjustment screw (9) .
b. Place the appropriate feeler gauge (10) between the rocker arm and the valve. Turn the
adjustment screw (9) while the valve adjustment screw locknut is being held from
turning. Adjust the valve lash until the correct specification is achieved.
c. After each adjustment, tighten the valve adjustment screw locknut while the valve
adjustment screw (9) is being held from turning.
2. Rotate the crankshaft in a clockwise direction that is viewed from the front of the engine. When
the inlet valve of the number 2 cylinder has opened and the exhaust valve of the number 2
cylinder has not completely closed measure the valve lash of the inlet valve (5) and the exhaust
valve (6) of the No. 3 cylinder.
a. Loosen the valve adjustment screw locknut that is on the adjustment screw (9) .
b. Place the appropriate feeler gauge (10) between the rocker arm and the valve. Turn the
adjustment screw (9) while the valve adjustment screw locknut is being held from
turning. Adjust the valve lash until the correct specification is achieved.
c. After each adjustment, tighten the valve adjustment screw locknut while the valve
adjustment screw (9) is being held from turning.
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3. Rotate the crankshaft in a clockwise direction that is viewed from the front of the engine. When
the inlet valve of the number 1 cylinder has opened and the exhaust valve of the number 1
cylinder has not completely closed measure the valve lash of the inlet valve (7) and the exhaust
valve (8) of the No. 4 cylinder.
a. Loosen the valve adjustment screw locknut that is on the adjustment screw (9) .
b. Place the appropriate feeler gauge (10) between the rocker arm and the valve. Turn the
adjustment screw (9) while the valve adjustment screw locknut is being held from
turning. Adjust the valve lash until the correct specification is achieved.
c. After each adjustment, tighten the valve adjustment screw locknut while the valve
adjustment screw (9) is being held from turning.
4. Rotate the crankshaft in a clockwise direction that is viewed from the front of the engine. When
the inlet valve of the number 3 cylinder has opened and the exhaust valve of the number 3
cylinder has not completely closed measure the valve lash of the inlet valve (3) and the exhaust
valve (4) of the No. 2 cylinder.
a. Loosen the valve adjustment screw locknut that is on the adjustment screw (9) .
b. Place the appropriate feeler gauge (10) between the rocker arm and the valve. Turn the
adjustment screw (9) while the valve adjustment screw locknut is being held from
turning. Adjust the valve lash until the correct specification is achieved.
c. After each adjustment, tighten the valve adjustment screw locknut while the valve
adjustment screw (9) is being held from turning.
