I’m planning to check/adjust valve gaps on my 2011 Civic. I haven’t done something like that since the early 1990s, when I had a '77 Civic! I have a set of the “feeler” gap-gages.
I’m assuming I prob should get a new valve gasket. Any gasket sealant recommended? Any tips on what else I need, or any other maintenance/checks I should do while the valve cover is open?
My 1999 Civic is still on its OEM valve cover gasket. No sealant needed. I have adjusted valves about 8 or 10 times; I usually remove and gap the plugs or replace them. It’s a lot easier to turn the engine over with them out. IIRC it means jacking up the left front, removing the wheel, then getting to the crankshaft bolt thru a flexible cutout in the plastic wheel liner.
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Do you have Honda’s recommended procedure for your car/engine? If not, that’s your first priority. Best if sourced from Honda but the Chilton’s & Haynes manuals should cover the procedure pretty good. I expect that info will also address the valve cover gaskets and sealant questions.
If of any help, I’ve checked the valve clearances several times on my OBD I Corolla and always follow Toyota’s factory service manual instructions. Briefly, I remove all the spark plugs, remove the valve cover, remove distributor cap, rotate the engine to the correct camshaft position using the crankshaft bolt, measure, rotate again, measure again , etc. Then I apply sealant in a couple of places the instructions recommends. I usually I replace the valve cover gasket b/c the existing one is flattened in spots, then button it all up. Done. Adjusting the clearances on my car isn’t a simple job, involves special shims. Yours may be easier; fortunately so far I never had to make an adjustment.
One caution: Avoid the rookie mistake of overtightening the valve cover fasteners.
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I’d watch a few youtubes for your engine, looks like it has the same valve adjusters as my '78 Honda CB550.
Civic:
CB550:
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Take a photo, & use it to compare the amount of gunk forming in that area over time. I change the engine oil/filter every 5K miles in my Corolla, sooner if the oil gets very dark, and I’ve never noticed any excessive gunk accumulation in the valve/camshaft area. Compare to engines using longer oil change intervals. Which produces the most gunk accumulation? You can use the photos to get a better price for you car when you sell it.
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+1 to that! Torques for valve covers and for oil pans are often expressed in inch-pounds, not the far more common foot-pounds.
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Thanks all for sage advice, which I will heed. I will leave this string open at least a couple more days in case anyone else wants to add something.