Adjusting valves

[reinman88]

Have a 99 workhorse. A couple weeks ago she wouldn't start, and I knew I was losing power. I adjusted the valves per the above thread. Ran fine for 4 or 5 days and wouldn't start. Checked and found one valve was off, couldn't fit the feeler gauge through. I assumed I wasn't quite right the first time. 4 or 5 days later it died driving down the road.

Thinking I better check my work yet again, I found one valve where again I could not get the feeler gauge through. Today it again died while driving. I got it home let it cool and just checked the valves yet again. I've been afraid to really crank down when tightening for fear I'd break off a bolt. This time I checked and everything seemed fine. Put everything back together and it started and ran fine.

Could one valve be off just a touch and when warm it stopped running, but after it cooled enough it would start again?

Thanks for any help.

[scottyb]

I guess so, increase your gap.

Curious = Is it the same valve?

[reinman88]

It's been a different one each time. I suppose I could tighten a little tighter, but it scares me what might happen if I break something.

On one the feeler gauge went through, but it did have a bit more resistance then the others, so maybe that one is just a bit off.

At least it's nice to know if something goes wrong, I can just look at what I worked on the last time, and I'll find the problem.