Contents: Examination 🠛 Adjustment 🠛
Note: This is not a scheduled maintenance check. It should be performed if you hear noise from the valve train or if you suspect that the loss of power is due to incorrect valve clearances. A new valve cover gasket may be required during installation.
Examination
1. Release the plastic cover of the wire harness, which is located between the intake manifold and the cylinder head, from its fasteners.
2. Where applicable, disconnect the crankcase ventilation hose from the valve cover.
3. Unscrew the valve cover nuts and remove the cover (refer to the accompanying illustration).
4. Remove the spark plugs as described in Section Replacing spark plugs and checking the ignition system.
5. Draw the valve locations on a piece of paper, numbering them 1 through 8 on the transmission side (refer to the accompanying illustration).
6. To make it easier to access the crankshaft pulley, set the handbrake, then jack up the front of the car and place it on axle stands. Loosen the mounting screws and remove the lower engine shield.
7. Turn the crankshaft until the valves of cylinder #1 are in the intermediate position - i.e. the exhaust valve will be closing and the intake valve will be opening. The piston of cylinder #4 will be at the top of the compression stroke, and both its valves will be completely closed - now you can check the clearances for both valves of cylinder #4.
8. Insert the feeler gauge of the correct thickness (refer to Specifications) between the working projection of the cam and the washer on the top of the tappet (refer to the accompanying illustration). If the feeler gauge fits freely or does not fit at all, use feeler gauges of different thicknesses to determine the exact clearance and record it so that you can later calculate the required thickness of the new washer. Note that the clearances for the intake and exhaust valves are different.
9. After checking the valve clearances of cylinder #4, turn the crankshaft half a turn so that the valves of cylinder #3 are in an intermediate position, then check the valve clearances of cylinder #2. Also check the clearances of the remaining valves in the following sequence:
| Valves in intermediate position on the cylinder | Check on the cylinder |
| 1 | 4 |
| 3 | 2 |
| 4 | 2 |
| 2 | 3 |
A micrometer is required for adjustment.
Adjustment
1. If the valve clearance differs from the specified value, it is necessary to replace the adjusting washer.
2. The thickness of the washer is indicated on its underside, but it is better to determine it with a micrometer, since as a result of wear it may be less than indicated (refer to the accompanying illustration).
3. The required washer thickness is calculated as follows: If the measured gap is less than the Specifications, subtract the measured gap from the Specifications, and then subtract this difference from the existing washer thickness.
For example:
Example calculation - gap too small
- Measured gap (A) = 0.15 mm
- Required gap (B) = 0.20 mm
- Difference (B-A) = 0.05 mm
- Thickness of installed washer = 3.70 mm
- Required washer thickness + 3.70 - 0.05 = 3.65 mm
4. If the measured gap is greater than the Specifications, subtract the Specifications gap from the measured gap and add the result to the thickness of the existing washer.
For example:
Example calculation - gap too big
- Measuring gap (A) = 0.50 mm
- desired gap (B) = 0.40 mm
- Difference (A - B) = 0.10 mm
- Thickness of installed washer = 3.45 mm
- Required washer thickness = 3.45+0.10=3.55 mm
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5. The washer can be removed from the tappet without removing the camshaft if you have a special Renault tool (refer to the accompanying illustration).
6. To remove the washer, the tappet must be pressed against the valve spring pressure. Theoretically, this can be done by pressing the lever against the camshaft between the cam lobe surfaces with a suitable screwdriver, pressing the tappet with the adjusting washer down, but this is not recommended by the manufacturer. If this method is used, be very careful not to damage the camshaft, cylinder head or tappet.
7. The working projections of the cams should be directed upward when pressing the pusher, and the pushers themselves should be turned so that their cuts are perpendicular to the camshaft axis. Install the washer with the thickness marking facing down.
8. If the Renault tool is not available and a suitable replacement cannot be made, then to remove the washers it will be necessary to remove the camshaft as described in Section Description of compression test.
9. Remove the socket or wrench from the crankshaft pulley bolt. Install the lower engine shield and lower the vehicle to the ground.
10. Install the spark plugs as described in Section Replacing spark plugs and checking the ignition system, then install the valve cover with a new gasket (if necessary).
11. Connect the crankcase ventilation hose to the cover and install all components that were removed or disconnected.