when do you know exactly when you need a valve adjustment? what are the signs and sounds? thanks

 

The valves make a distinct ticking sound. Listen closely if you hear it or not, hood open.

 

click click click click click click... mostly on cold start ups.

 

they need it by the 105 service, only a few valves will be out of spec
but on a fuel injected car run by many sensors,,,you need everything on spec so valve opens and closes at correct time and duration
that controls the air/fuel flow in and out of the combustion chamber
too much or too little is bad--on spec is just right

with a mechanics stethascope you can listen and find the ones that sound different thru valve cover-those will be off spec but you always ck every valve, adjust each thats needed- then run the entire set again to be sure its perfect

Its not that bad a job to do- and can be added to your 105 or do the egr port cleaning together with valve adjust,,remove intake manifold to clean egr ports and the valve covers are right there

 

thanks guys i'll ask my mechanic about it when he does my brakes soon. and should i be worrying about this at 65k? i just picked up the car a 3k miles ago and its an o3 TLs, overall inside and out i'd say it's a 9. but still you never know

 

I'm running 170k and have never done them. However, there is no ticking noise (aside from that damn purge valve solenoid). I want to get them done, but my dealership charges $600+. How much does would an honest mechanic charge for our engines? Is the quality difference between the dealership and another mechanic going to be noticeable, or is it a relatively straightforward process? I've read the DIY and found it to be just one notch too involved for me.

 

any private shop tech can do the valve adjust--its the one thing thats the same as most other type cars!!
Look in the phone book for a smaller ad with honda listed as a specialty

the valves are ready for an adjustment by 100kmiles- a few will be out of limit and thats all it takes to drop mileage and performance
May not even notice the sound differance,, unless ck'd with a mechanics stethascope
Then you would make an appointment right away!!

with your miles and it being new to you- do a seafoam treatment to gas and manifold vac port
then change the spark plugs with ngk Iridium ix and have a TL that runs like brand new

60-- I would not worry about valve adjust yet -unless you race- then always perfect is the standard~

dont forget the cabin air filter replacement DIY- you will need it~ 20 bucks for parts

 

low miles- older person/short trips past owner??
Do the seafoam: 1/2 can in oil and drive before next change
remove sludge buildup from that type engine operation