How to Adjust the Valves on a 1988 Acura Integra LS

This will explain how to adjust the valves on an Acura Integra / 3rd gen Prelude with a 2.0 motor.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Phillips Screwdriver
• Metric Socket Set
• Ratchet

1. To begin, make sure the engine is cool, and start removing the PCV valve, as well as the wiring that runs across the valve cover in the approximately one inch groove on the right hand side of the motor.
2. Now remove the ten, 10mm bolts that are holding the valve cover on, be careful not to damage the rubber gasket that fits in the groove around the edges of the bottom of the valve cover. This gasket does not have to be replaced unless you damage it on removal or when replacing it. (It should be a rubber gasket, not a paper/steel gasket, the gasket is also molded)
3. Now what you should see is your two cam shafts, with the rocker arms across them. There should be 4 rocker arms on your intake side, and 4 rocker arms on your exhaust side. In between these rocker arms, you will see approximately one inch tall springs between each set. In the center of these springs you will see a bolt, this bolt adjusts the depth in which your valve goes down into the engine. (its practically the back side of the valve.) Tap them lightly to see if it makes a light clicking sound like it may have play in it, however, do not adjust them with the car off!
4. You will now want to lay some rags or cardboard around the valve cover, as you will need to start the vehicle to adjust the valves, and with the valve cover off, its going to spray a little bit of oil around, not a lot, but enough to make a mess
5. Once your engine compartment is prepped, start your car up and go back to the hood compartment. Listen very closely to the engine for any ticking sound you may hear. You can use a long screwdriver, with the end on the bolt and putting the handle to your ear, you can hear each individual valve for easier determination of which valve or valves need adjusting.
6. Valves that are ticking, need to be backed off a bit, as they are colliding with each other slightly, or hitting the top of the piston slightly. Valves that aren’t ticking, you can tighten down ever so slightly to get better compression, but back them off if you begin to hear a ticking sound. If you aren’t sure what you are doing, I would only adjust ticking valves, as the others are most likely adjusted correctly.
7. Once your car seems to be running smoother, and you are happy with your valve adjustment, you can shut the car off. Now begin replacing the valve cover and gasket, make sure the gasket is well seated in the valve cover, or on the head before replace, then make sure it’s sealed all the way around so you don’t leak oil.
8. Replace PCV valve and electrical harness that runs across the valve cover, tighten down valve cover. If you seemed to lose a lot of oil while you were adjusting, let your engine sit about 10 or 15 minutes so the oil can drain back to the pan, and check the oil, add as needed. You have just successfully adjusted the valves in your Acura or Honda, congratulations!

Tips & Warnings

• Take Pictures of the work you do as you take it apart if you think you may be unsure of how to put it back together.
• Mark and Number bolts on a sheet of paper if you think you may not remember where they go.
• When adjusting the valves, make sure to tie back long hair, and dont wear any loose or bulky clothing when leaning of the engine compartment. With the valve cover off, you will see the cam sprockets, pulleys and belts, which can be very dangerous if you were to get something caught in them, take necessary precautions!