Valve Clearance Adjustment

[7Andrei7]

Hi all!

Tomorrow I'm going for the 140k km service and was wondering, has anyone needed a valve clearance adjustment on their Stinger? I have a 2.0 but I think they use the same valve technology as the 3.3.
I know the service manual says that clearance should be inspected at 100k km / 60k miles but I remember when I mentioned that to my dealer at that time they were kind of surprised and asked me if I felt any symptoms. I said no and I think they just ignored it.

What would be symptoms of improper valve clearance? Since our cars are so full of sensors these days, would an error pop up before something would go horribly wrong?
I'm just curious. I've not had any engine problems (thankfully) other than a Gasoline Particulate Filter regeneration issue which was fixed with an ECU update.

Thanks!

 

[SRV]

If you're talking about intake/exhaust valves, they should never need adjustment because they're hydraulic.

EDIT - they are solid and require adjustment.

 

[STINGER]

If you're talking about intake/exhaust valves, they should never need adjustment because they're hydraulic.

I believe the stinger is in fact solid and uses buckets that need to be changed if the clearance is out of spec.

 

[D.J.]

I believe the stinger is in fact solid and uses buckets that need to be changed if the clearance is out of spec.

Yup.,


Shims are available in 47 size increments of 0.015 mm (0.0006 in.) from 3.00 mm (0.11 in.) to 3.690 mm (0.1452 in.)

[Specification]

Intake : 0.17 - 0.23 mm (0.0067 - 0.0090 in.)

Exhaust : 0.32 - 0.38 mm (0.0126 - 0.0150 in.)

Full procedure here.

http://www.kstinger.com/cylinder_head_assembly-381.html

 

[JSolo]

Is the 4 banger similar? I've not heard of automotive applications using shim/bucket designs. Motorcycles yes.

 

[oddball]

If you're talking about intake/exhaust valves, they should never need adjustment because they're hydraulic.

I know, right? But there it is in the manual.......

Is the 4 banger similar? I've not heard of automotive applications using shim/bucket designs. Motorcycles yes.

Quite a few overhead cam cars use a bucket/shim over the valve keeper, which is often in addition to a hydraulically pre-loaded rocker of some type. I haven't seen any photos of the top side of the Stinger head (and nowhere near curious enough to go pull one), so who knows what exactly is going on here.

 

[7Andrei7]

I asked again at the dealer and again they just ignored it saying "unless there are symptoms there's no need to inspect".
But what would those symptoms be?

PS: This is valid for both 3.3 and 2.0 engines. The 2.5 does not have it mentioned in the manual.

 

[D.J.]

so who knows what exactly is going on here.

Post #4 in this thread has a link to the procedure and specs for the 4Cyl engine.

item #17. Mechanical lash adjuster (MLA)

This is a solid chunk of very accurately sized (non hydraulic) tappet.
you adjust the valve lash by removing and replacing the MLA with one of the correct size (you have 47 sizes to choose from)

 

[D.J.]

I asked again at the dealer and again they just ignored it saying "unless there are symptoms there's no need to inspect".
But what would those symptoms be?

PS: This is valid for both 3.3 and 2.0 engines. The 2.5 does not have it mentioned in the manual.

To the internet.

Valves out of adjustment symptoms

Valves are crucial mechanical components in the car engine that restrict or allow the flow of air in and out of the cylinder. If the valves are not in good

carphrases.com

 

[JSolo]

Ugh.. That's some major surgery to adjust that valves!! Cams have to come out.

Wonder why kia went with this design??? It's not like it's a very high revving engine.

 

[SRV]

Wonder why kia went with this design??? It's not like it's a very high revving engine.

The 32v Porsche 928 from the late-80's/mid-90's have hydraulic lifters which of course require no lash adjustment, and it was designed as a GT, just like the Stinger.

I'm at a loss as to why KIA chose solids for this relatively tame engine when hydraulics were the logical choice for a low revving TT engine.

BTW, I edited my post above.

 

[JSolo]

One thought does come to mind. Adjusting these things will be a pricey endeavor. To check the valves requires valve cover removal. But to actually make an adjustment (if needed) will require cam removal. That's not a 5 min job, nor something for an inexperienced tech. It will cost $$$$. Probably a gran or more. Also, it's one of those jobs, how do you know it was actually done. Valves typically tighten with use, not loosen. On bikes, we'd set 'em on the looser end of the spec than tighter. With all the noise in the engine area, hard to tell one way or another.

In my MY 22 owner's manual I can only find references to 3.3 valve adjustment checks - every 60K or 72 months. I see nothing for the 2.5T. Nothing in the MY 23 manual either.

 

[STINGER]

Im sure quite a few people have passed 60k miles on this forum. Has anybody done the valve clearance check?

 

[D.J.]

Im sure quite a few people have passed 60k miles on this forum. Has anybody done the valve clearance check?

Most people just do an audible check..... which does not capture valves that are too tight.

Burnt exhaust valves are almost always caused by a valve that isn't fully closing, and isn't able to transfer it's heat to the cylinder head.


Slightly too loose is way better than slightly too tight
"A tappy valve is a happy valve"

This poster is quite informative

https://www.aopa.org/-/media/Files/AOPA/Home/Pilot-Resources/ASI/Valve-safety/14FN0000-ASI-Valve-Safey-Poster_Final.pdf

many details

Anatomy of a Valve Failure

www.aopa.org

 

[STINGER]

Most people just do an audible check..... which does not capture valves that are too tight.

Burnt exhaust valves are almost always caused by a valve that isn't fully closing, and isn't able to transfer it's heat to the cylinder head.


Slightly too loose is way better than slightly too tight
"A tappy valve is a happy valve"

This poster is quite informative

https://www.aopa.org/-/media/Files/AOPA/Home/Pilot-Resources/ASI/Valve-safety/14FN0000-ASI-Valve-Safey-Poster_Final.pdf

many details

Anatomy of a Valve Failure

www.aopa.org

No symptoms for tight valves?

 

[D.J.]

No symptoms for tight valves?

No common ones that I am aware of.

 

[7Andrei7]

So, it's been almost 2 years. I'm just over 190k km (118k miles).
Anyone who has had their valve clearance checked/adjusted?
My car runs fine... (2.0 engine)

 

[Ohiocruiser]

My 3.3 has 135k miles. Haven't adjusted them yet. The biggest problem I see here is, where to take it to have it done correctly. I talked to the dealer about how much would it cost to do it. And they kept telling me, the valves on stinger never need to be adjusted.

 

[D.J.]

My 3.3 has 135k miles. Haven't adjusted them yet. The biggest problem I see here is, where to take it to have it done correctly. I talked to the dealer about how much would it cost to do it. And they kept telling me, the valves on stinger never need to be adjusted.

That is likely true though.

My last car - 2004 Mazda 3 - went for 460k KMs, and never a valve adjustment. (Different car, but same non adjustable valve design, have to replace tappets).

Got rid of the car due to excessive rust (rear subframe) engine was strong, even at the end.

I know they are different, but not that different. I would guess that you will never need to adjust your valve clearance, even after 400k kms (250k miles).

That Mazda's headlights were PAINTED at around 380k KMs - which is why it doesn't look like it has such high mileage.

 

[JSolo]

Ugh... So you have to pull the cams to get at the tappets (on the stinger)?