KTM 990 ADV Valve Check/Adjustment and Spark Plug Change | Back in the Garage

In this episode of Back in the Garage, I show you how to check and adjust the valves as well as change the spark plugs on a KTM 990 ADV bike. The part numbers listed below fit a 2008 KTM 990 ADV. Be sure to double check part numbers for your specific year and model. Additionally the shim kit listed below is for 10mm shims. They will fit virtually all late model large displacement KTM engines (690/701, 950/990, 1090, 1190, 1290). (Will NOT fit the 790/890/901)
Spark Plugs: NGK DCPR8E (x2) amzn.to/3M12QR9
Hot Cams Shim Kit (10mm) amzn.to/3kMWmcN
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The oil inlets on the front cylinder can be found using the RMATVMC link below. Click on OEM, KTM, year/model and click on the front cylinder to find the parts/seals.
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[@pmoneymaster2201]

Just FYI, according to the KTM HOW write up on the procedure, all 8 hex key cam bridge bolts are supposed to be torqued to 10nm, INITIALLY, but the 4 larger hex key bolts are supposed to be finished at 18nm. At 8:31 you only show 10nm for the spec. Not sure its worth tearing tanks and intake back off to retorque if missed but should probably be done if possible.

[@2WR]

You're right. I missed that.

[@Libroer]

Great video man, thank you, got the part numbers too! (Actually, looking through the repair manual, the spark plugs according to this manual are supposed to be NGK CR 8 EK

[@PtitMako]

Nice video, easy to understand despite my poor english as a frenchman !

[@nunofrednunes]

Great video! Just came back to my neglected 2006 990 and these videos are golden. From my past experience the advrider forum and KTM HOW were the go-to's, but the your videos seem to make it so much clearer. Hope these bikes keep going 'cause I just love mine so much

[@ianferrier235]

Thanks Mario, I saved this video for future reference. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@andywept]

Another great video! Going to tackle mine now. Thanks

[@bluebaaron748]

Yesss! Great timing… just ordered all the parts and am getting the courage together to do this on the 990R for the first time.. Thanks for doing these..!

[@buaan]

I’d recommend buying the crank locking screw or making one, it’s only cheap. Stops crank spinning out of time when you have cams out.

[@2WR]

While I'd agree on the newer model LC8s (though I've done numerous checks/adjustments without) , since it's gear driven on this model, (to me ) it's kinda overkill.

[@Enton91]

Great video.What about the front spark plug? I heard it is sooo difficult to extract it.

[@adamzoncz]

8:32 not 10nm on all, but on M8 screws 18nm, m6 10nm

[@tedmichel8999]

Great Job! Thanks for this awesome video.....

[@YZFMANIAC08]

Proper job mate 👍🏻👌🏻

[@cliftonsr]

Can the gear set of the gearbox be swapped out for the 1290 gear set?

[@thefex86]

In 15:40 it is visible that you removed the butterfly secondary flaps (driven by stepper motors and controlled by ECU) from the intake manifolds throttle bodies. What`s your experience with this mod? Throttle response, fuel economy etc? Remapping the ECU?

[@LassesGlasskiosk]

great vid, thanks!

[@Billet_Badger]

When are you going to do a valve adjustment on the 890?

[@2WR]

Bike only has 12.5k on it but still plan to check them over the winter

[@Billet_Badger]

@@2WR , I know a lot of 890 owners and been checking valves and cams earlier than the typical service schedule due to the cam issues that have popped up on some of these bikes. You do a great job showing and explaining things. Your 990 video is exactly what I was looking for but for the 890. I am more of a visual person versus a book person. I would like to do as much service as I can on my own since my local dealership is a crook.

[@GutoFontana]

awesome video. thanks,

[@zeezeerhydon7083]

I've been considering getting one of these as my first adventure bike but doing this every 9000 miles seems a little intimidating. Have any thoughts?

[@2WR]

If you’re gonna ride a lot of miles and don’t want to do the checking yourself, gotta be prepared to pay for it. I don’t put a lot of miles on this bikes since it’s my 3rd ADV bike (ride my 1290 & 890 more and they also have longer service intervals, basically double). For this bike, I might need to check them every 2-3 years. All things to consider with buying any bike.

[@rabbigabrielbenor6795]

Is the disassembly/assembly procedure the same for the 890R? Excellent video. Thanks.

[@2WR]

Insomuch that they're both DOHC engines, it would be similar but there are quite a few differences as well. The modern 1090/1190/1290 valve service video I made would be closer since it has chain driven cams vs the gear driven cams on the 990 but there are still some differences. I'll make a video on the 890 when the time comes.

[@tedmichel8999]

@@2WR I wonder why KTM moved away from Gear to Chain, is it because of costs of manufacture?

[@DakarBlues]

Hi Mario, @TwoWheeledRider My question is, is it possible to damage the head gasket in the process of adjusting valves? My bike came back from 18,000 miles maintenance on November 11, valves were perfect, no adjustment needed, but valve cover gasket had to be replaced. On December 10 it went back for alternator replacement, on January 4, it ran hot, it started losing coolant. Per shop it is a head gasket issue. My question is: is it possible to damage the head gasket in the process of adjusting valves? Bike was running perfectly until the valve adjustment. Just received Blackstone labs analysis today (02/37/23), my main bearing is on its way out. My last oil analysis (06/16/22) was good.

[@2WR]

Nope. Head gasket issue is because it got hot, not because of a valve check.

[@tooniek]

Is it better to stick to upper or lower clearance limit on exhaust valves? I have downloaded shim calculator and there is note that exhaust valves tend to get larger cloearance due to carbon build up on the valve. My exhaust valves has 0,20 and 0,21 gaps and limits are 0,25-0,30 so it look like it's better to stick upper limit. Also woud it better to stick with OEM shims or try to ProX or JMT shims? OEM shims is only difference by 0,05mm and others are 0,025mm so it is easier to target to limits

[@2WR]

Valves usually tighten, not loosen. Stick to the upper limit if you need to adjust but stay in spec. I’ve been using Hot Cams shim kits for years.

[@pascocrocodele4914]

thanks for the help bro. I wanted to ask, do you also become a model? of 2006 and in all lc8; and you are locked crankshaft; and the screws to tighten the cam cover, we start from the inside as you said, but the same for unscrewing?

[@2WR]

For removing, honestly doesn’t really matter

[@tooniek]

Should seals be replaced (valve cover, valve cover bolts, spark plug) during valve clearance check?

[@2WR]

If they need it

[@tooniek]

@@2WR thanks!

[@TheJevrem]

What is the “simple math” to decide what shim to use? There are a lot of different formulas online how to calculate the correct shim..

[@2WR]

There’s no formula. It’s basic addition and subtraction. If the valves are tight u install a thinner shim, if they are loose a thicker shim. Check your clearance again once installed to make sure you’re in spec.

[@michaelwebster2416]

how many miles did the 990 have on it?? thanks

[@2WR]

49,977

[@penjoretraders9664]

@@2WR was this the first valve adjustment on the 990? if not at how many miles did you do it first?

[@Harnosharn]

What plugs are they please

[@2WR]

Always a good idea to check the description.