# Any tips on valve gap job? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** civic-sdn, honda\ **Created:** [September 18, 2024, 5:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/any-tips-on-valve-gap-job/196310 "2024-09-18T17:51:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ray-O\_Vac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Ray-O\_Vac](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Ray-O_Vac)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2024, 5:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/any-tips-on-valve-gap-job/196310/1 "2024-09-18T17:51:03Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2024, 6:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/any-tips-on-valve-gap-job/196310/2 "2024-09-18T18:13:59Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2024, 7:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/any-tips-on-valve-gap-job/196310/3 "2024-09-18T19:59:58Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2024, 8:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/any-tips-on-valve-gap-job/196310/4 "2024-09-18T20:16:13Z")
I’d watch a few youtubes for your engine, looks like it has the same valve adjusters as my '78 Honda CB550. Civic: ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/1/3/13acd1b0e074d117e31b31d168b0852be1ff1ad0.jpeg) CB550: ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/a/d/adaf9ef2abe8a133a29c0044995c7103e8e60133.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2024, 8:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/any-tips-on-valve-gap-job/196310/5 "2024-09-18T20:27:12Z")
> [@Ray-O\_Vac](#): > > Any tips on what else … maintenance/checks I should do while the valve cover is open? 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. ---
**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2024, 10:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/any-tips-on-valve-gap-job/196310/6 "2024-09-18T22:37:23Z")
> [@George\_San\_Jose1](#): > > One caution: Avoid the rookie mistake of overtightening the valve cover fasteners. +1 to that! Torques for valve covers and for oil pans are often expressed in inch-pounds, not the far more common foot-pounds. ---
**Author:** ![Ray-O\_Vac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Ray-O\_Vac](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Ray-O_Vac)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2024, 2:17am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/any-tips-on-valve-gap-job/196310/7 "2024-09-19T02:17:44Z")
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.