Honda Fit Valve Adjustment and Spark Plugs (2009-2014)

L15A7 Valve Clearance
Intake 0.15－0.19 mm
Exhaust 0.26－0.30 mm
2nd Gen 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, or 2014 Honda Fit Valve Clearance Adjustment. Routine Maintenance that everyone forgets about. Keep your engine healthy.
TOOLS/PARTS
Phillips screwdriver
Flathead screwdriver
Small flathead screwdriver
10mm wrench (a 10mm offset wrench was really nice, but not necessary)
10mm deep socket
12mm deep socket
14mm deep socket
19mm deep socket
Socket extension
Socket wrenches
Needle nose pliers
Flat jaw pliers
Front Shocks:
amzn.to/3EBrPah
www.kseriespar...
Front Upper Shock Bushings:
amzn.to/3EBrzrP
Rear Shocks:
amzn.to/39kZfvJ
www.kseriespar...
Serviceable Sway-Bar End Links
amzn.to/3BeBwcX
Skunk2 Shift Knob
amzn.to/2WIHwvk
Set of feeler gauges
amzn.to/3nSNiFJ
Tube of Hondabond gasket maker
amzn.to/39tT7B3
Valve cover gasket
amzn.to/3lHvcUA
Spark plugs (Honda uses NGK and Denso)
amzn.to/3At24qo
Dielectric grease
amzn.to/39mRjtH
Windshield Cowl Clips
amzn.to/3uHv3EN
Genuine Honda Fluid 08798-9031 Manual Transmission Fluid
amzn.to/3DhEY6T
Genuine Honda Oil Filters
amzn.to/3uW0P17
Shifter Boot
amzn.to/2WOt3hC
Touchup Paint
amzn.to/3uHdPHw
Genuine Honda Blower Motor Resistor
amzn.to/3mt283r
Genuine Honda Rearview Mirror
amzn.to/3owWgZO
DISCLAIMER: This description contains affiliate links, which means that
if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission at no extra
cost to you. Thank you for your support!

[@mistacarta1906]

I had this cold stall problem with my 2008 fit. I tried switching my spark plugs, egr valve, cleaning the throttle body, and nothing worked. I searched Honda fit cold start stall on KZbin and found several of these videos saying it’s a valve adjustment issue. I took my car to the dealership and asked them to do a valve adjustment. They insisted I had a bigger problem, they think it’s my torque converter blah blah blah it’s gonna cost me $2400. But I insisted they just do the valve adjustment and now my car is running perfectly. Purrs like a kitten. The car doesn’t shake anymore, doesn’t stall, and doesn’t smell like gas anymore. Thank you for making these vids. You saved me a lot of money.

[@uploadmeful]

Same, shakes during cold start ups. No more cold shakes after valve adjustment.

[@theheathen1516]

Useful video, it helped a lot. I have worked on many cars, and while I generally know what I’m doing i still watch videos like this, as they help by showing where the fasteners are. This saves me a lot of time when doing a job I haven’t done before. One tip for anyone doing any cars valve adjustment: pull the spark plugs first, it makes turning the engine and aligning the timing marks much easier.

[@zardiw]

Yeah.....great tip.............Z

[@jrbay1]

Thank you for this video, I did my 2012 Fit 92k miles valves and your video was a great help. There are a few things I would recommend when doing this, order replacement blue clips for cowl cover they’re going to break, I pulled the coil’s and the plugs so I could use the power steering pump pulley to rotate the engine. I found the stock Honda gaskets were much better than the new FelPros I purchase, so I reused the Honda gaskets. While your are in there clean the throttle body with a clean coffee filter and cleaner, DO NOT SPRAY CLEANER INTO THE BUTTERFLY, YOU WILL WASH OUT THE MOLY LUBE ON THE SHAFT! Or A year later you’re going to wonder why your throttle body is sticking. Be careful tightening the valve cover bolts they only take 8lbs. the last person stripped 2 , so I had to heili coil them, finger tighten the bolts and if they do not tighten properly DO NOT JUST TRY AND RTV THE GASKET, fix the bolt holes.

[@charliesvids]

Where can you get the clips? I've looked everywhere and cannot find them.

[@jrbay1]

Amazon , the blue clip ; PartsSquare 20pcs Fender Liner Fastener Rivet Push Clips Retainer Replacement for Acura RDX TL TLX TSX Honda Accord Civic Insight Fit Crosstour CR-Z

[@charliesvids]

@@jrbay1 lol you think I didnt try Amazon? Thanks, but already checked all that out. Does not include the clips I need.

[@jrbay1]

Chuck Dustin What clips are you looking for?

[@charliesvids]

@@jrbay1 the blue ones that hold the cowl to the bottom of the windshield

[@thevoigts651]

Thank you so much for this video. We just bought a 2013 FIT with 72k and I am about to put everything back together after doing the valve adjustments. Your guide has proven immensely helpful. Years ago I had an Accord and did the valve adjustments myself, but its been 10 years or so. The go/no-go approach works wonderfully to get the clearances right. Oddly enough, all of the intake clearances were perfect, but all of the exhaust valves were all too tight. I cleaned out the intake plenum and throttle body while I had it apart. The intake had a good coating of crud in it. I'm also going to replace the transmission filter (and then fluid) while I have the air box out.

[@FirstLightAdv]

The most concise and to the point instruction I've seen. Thank you!

[@funkingitup1805]

Such a great video. Thank you. The only part I don't understand is at 4:20 where you say to, "remember which coilpacks go to which cylinder". That really shouldn't matter at all.

[@MediumHalf]

Also you don't actually need to do this every 30k miles like he says- Honda says to check and adjust if there's excessive noise, which can take until over 100k miles.

[@brilliantstudio]

I really appreciate clear calm naming of parts. Thank you!

[@kengzgarage8414]

Such a short video packed with everything you neeedd!!! Perfect sir .

[@motorcitywestauto4674]

I know this is an older video, but if you have a 2013 there is a TDC mark on the cam sprocket and nothing else. At least not on mine. Not sure why the cylinder #s were omitted but the only way I was able to do it was to remove all the coils and plugs and find TDC on each cylinder with a dowel. Find the TDC mark on #1, stick a dowel or long straw in the cylinder and mark it then 3-2-4 if you just want to do 1/4 turns on thr crank. Marked them for next time but didnt help this time. There are some other differences in the airbox and throttle body but this is still a good guide. Im a V8 Chevy guy so this Honda stuff is foreign to me.

[@Socsom]

Wow, that's quite a lot to remove just the valve cover, compared to the older Honda engines it is much easier.

[@fupascupa]

Appreciate your videos on the 2nd Gen Honda Fit. Thank you!

[@mrdjsubz]

Great and simple explanation. Thanks, no worries at all doing this now.

[@pictsidhe6471]

Excellent. No waffle, just what we need to know.

[@budrobrother]

I love that they didn’t use shims to adjust clearance! Honda really had easy maintenance in mind when making this engine...

[@K03sport]

what a pain every 30k miles. I thought changing my trans and rear diff fluid every 30k on my wrx was a pain (and it was), but this somehow seems more painful. I'm all for doing simple, minor service yourself. of course I skipped my 30k mi fluid change and did it at 60k (oops). Thanks for the video. 🏁

[@halr75]

Thanks Jim, great walk through saved me a ton of time figuring the process out!

[@captainannna]

Thx for the great, steady camerawork and helpful voiceover

[@AdrianRod_760]

Damn this is detailed!! Nice work

[@1ZZFE]

Great video, but if you can elaborate more on the actual valve adjustment part, that would be great.

[@slippinjimmy3961]

So glad this doesn't need done on the older jazz!!

[@MichaelFlatman]

It does rough running when cold is usually down to this.

[@MediumHalf]

You don't actually need to do this every 30k miles- Honda says to check and adjust if there's excessive noise.

[@mg8718]

I generally dont screw with the valve adjustment unless absolutley needed which is almost never. For plugs, use only NGK and a tiny dab of antisieze and hand tight only. (No torq wrenches). Replace plugs and coils as a set every 2 years.

[@K03sport]

this engine eats plugs every 2 years? the hard exotic metals (platinum/iridium) should last 7-8 yrs based on 12k/yr. Are these just plain copper plugs you are talking about?

[@mg8718]

@@K03sport Irudium plugs.

[@mg8718]

@@K03sport 7 to 8 years? What are you smoking?

[@nknasi]

@@mg8718 you're the one smoking something if you think iridium plugs need replacing every 2 years.

[@GrassManKey]

Good job very direct

[@jazzyfreshgames]

i would like to see the process for putting it all back together!

[@daniwamoto5133]

I appreciate the length of the video, no 🐂 💩

[@st.michaelthearchangel7774]

Great video. Thanks! Time to work on that audio, though. :)

[@MrRichierich1990]

1,3,4,2 is firing order? also, I understand how to get #1 cylinder at tdc, but how do I know when #3 is on tdc? does the cam say 3 on it or something

[@BaliMystic]

The timing chain sprocket has the cylinder number clearly stamped at 12 o’clock. In this video, 2 is visible on the timing chain sprocket.

[@blancA4blanc]

So there's no way around "take half the car apart" for this task, is it?

[@halonjim6788]

It's definitely more involved than it probably should be.

[@blancA4blanc]

Well, it is a great video - For the order and instructions as well as for how short and precise it is. ended up performing the job w/o removing the battery, took some more wiggling to get the air box out, but manages to do it eventually, this will probably not work for anyone who has aftermarket / non-OEM battery as OEM battery is really tiny compared to after market. Also - consider changing the title to something more "2010 Honda Fit Valve Adjustment procedure", it is the only video that covers second gen Honda Fit (2010 to 2013) but title makes a bit challenging to find.

[@halonjim6788]

Good call on the video name

[@jrbay1]

It’s not that bad to take apart, it just looks scary the 1st time, takes less that a hour to remove , battery, cowl , air box ,throttle body ,intake, coil packs, cylinder cover. Order the blue cowl clips before you start, they will brake, come in a bag of 10 for $6 on Amazon, your all gaskets are silicone and should not need replacement , just a little dot of Honda bond at the chain case cover gap. While your in there its a good time to clean the throttle body and replace the hoses going to it, I have a 2012 Fit 90k and the hoses needed replacement, Honda only item not usually in stock, but not hard change later.

[@Rick-S-6063]

The 2009 and newer Honda Fit is one of those cars where it pays to do two or more procedures at a time. After all, you pretty much have to take half the car apart on some tasks. Whenever you have to remove the air cleaner assembly and the MAF sensor it's a good time to replace the ATF filter. If you're installing new brake pads and rotors you might as well replace the calipers 'cause there's a chance they'll soon begin making a really bad clanking noise when you hit bumps in the road. And always replace all the fasteners, especially those blue clips that hold the cowl cover in place and the white ones that hold the corner covers out by the hood hinges. Been there, done that!

[@veetour]

I got stuck at the removing the wipers... Guess I'll just bring it the car repair shop.

[@smalltimber7670]

😄😄😄😄 my thoughts exactly

[@RaiderOfTheLost]

@@smalltimber7670 pussies

[@smalltimber7670]

@@RaiderOfTheLost like whe unda yuh

[@zoomjoo]

you gotta bend the wiper arm up or else it will wedge against the bolt

[@EvoneGarciaJulio24]

I appreciate you so much!!!! THANK YOU! You just made life so much easier for me:)

[@BaliMystic]

Engine will probably be easier to turn if you remove the plugs.

[@gilberto8310]

Once I get to the step to remove the manifold plenum - will removing it give me access to the camshaft cover?

[@aphengvath]

About to tackle this job today.

[@charliesvids]

Howd it go?

[@hassanmaguindra9573]

are you still doing L13A engines?

[@jorgeestebansantiagogaspar4310]

hola, cada cuantos kilometros es recomendable hacer un ajuste ? gracias

[@davidhagadorn8648]

Great video. Not too bad of a job

[@jirojosephesman8175]

Great video do you have a video for transmission fluid flush or where is the inlet going in the transmission and out the radiator...thank you have a blessed day and be blessed

[@AM-wt8qi]

Is the Cylinder sequence 1/3/4/2 at top / 1/4 past / half past and quarter two respectively?

[@elranchitodemiabuelo357]

Good morning, a question to how much are the spark plugs calibrated since I would like to know the calibration and if you can help me which spark plugs to buy thanks for your help a hug from Ensenada Baja California Mexico

[@Bxtskul1l]

Every 30k miles? Uh oh

[@theunderdawg9773]

Lol

[@jackieboy1593]

**Large Explosion** - Well, that takes care of that problem!

[@SY27196]

Not really I have seen above 50k runs fine

[@jaysgamingandbuildsc5533]

@@SY27196 running fine, cars need theses adjustments so it last longer,

[@fuckduncan3754]

Older Hondas are recommended to have their valves adjusted every 30k but new Hondas (or basically anything

[@hamzasalih2511]

Where did you get the headlight eye lids from. I’ve been looking to get a pair

[@chrisbroesky2932]

Don't rotate engine in counter-clockwise direction because of cam chain tensioner.

[@notanavrageloser]

Huh, so the rocker arm shaft is *supposed* to sit within (not flush with) the "bearing cap" at the cam gear side? @3:05 or so. I figured that was one of the many things the machine shop screwed up on my head.

[@mylzaway2388]

I have honda fit but L13A the Valve Clearance it's the same pls

[@marcelvava3786]

Hello, I have the same model of Honda (my wife's) , the difference ist that in Europe the Name ist Honda Jazz and although 2009 ist already the third Generation. .. Another difference, I have to my Jazz Engine Type : L13Z2 and not L15A7 like yours. .. My question is : Do you know if L13Z2 has the same valve clearance measurements like L15A7? In other words : can I take for my Jazz ( L13Z2) Intake : 0.15-0.19 mm Exhaust : 0.26-0.30 mm ? If not, please,maybe there's someone who can help me with the correct measurements for L13Z2 ? Thank you in advance.

[@1ZZFE]

Very good question.

[@AshfaqDogar-y3c]

How valve clearance? Plz

[@EarthEncountersTravel]

Why ? I have 209,090 miles on my Fit Sport and never done any of this, only changed Spark Plugs Coils. The Fit runs like new. “Is all this really necessary, don’t think so !”

[@pascalh.387]

How many kilometres does the engine have?

[@820performancecomptonbro4]

I have a 2013 Honda fit having an issue with starting rough in the morning only they told me that I needed valve adjustment Any tips

[@jaysgamingandbuildsc5533]

Do you have to do this with a idsi

[@mickl8212]

For that hassle the valves can tick all day long until the engine pops! (Which I doubt it will). Seems cars are designed nowadays by people who do not have to work on them. What a crappy idea having to strip a lot of the car down to remove a rocker cover to get to the valve rockers and spark plugs. My DC2-R is, lift the bonnet, remove the spark plug wires, remove rocker cover, job done in an hour.

[@paulh6591]

I'm wondering if I should do it. I have a 2010 Fit with 180K miles, was still on the original spark plugs, coils packs, o2 sensors, and never had a valve inspection. Still runs great, with no engine check light. I did the plugs and both oxygen sensors yesterday, and the engine purrs like a kitten. Really not interested in doing all this work to check the valves.

[@rattycaddy]

These are compact cars. Honda design them this way to get all this stuff into a 2.5 foot section which I think is pretty damn impressive. Taking the cowl and wiper assembly out should take only 10 minutes or so. Not a big deal for me. Just do it and stop belly aching or go buy a 59 Caddy if you need the room under the lid!

[@MediumHalf]

@@paulh6591 You don't actually need to do this every 30k miles- Honda says to check and adjust if there's excessive noise.

[@akira5982]

shouldnt the engine be turned anticlockwise as its an anticlockwise engine

[@jorgeestebansantiagogaspar4310]

Hello, how many kilometers is it advisable to make an adjustment? Thank you

[@sereg4g448]

Every 21k. miles according to manual

[@MediumHalf]

Honda says to check and adjust if there's excessive noise. Not sure where some people are getting these low intervals. There's vehicles over 100k miles without an adjustment and running fine.

[@UsmanKhan-fp5uu]

What if we slightly rotate crank anti clockwise slightly ? While adjusting to top dead center

[@chrisbroesky2932]

I think the reason is becuase the cam chain is tensioned on one side. Rotating in reverse would press against and move away the tensioner. The cam wouldn't turn precisely with the crank. My thoughts anyway.

[@GHOTICGIRL89]

my honda fit 2010 its turning off repeatedly while driving and now on park. I change mas sensor, main relays, battery, mas sensor and crank sensor alignment, make new ground and still turning off. Its possible that this maintenance solve it? Help Please!

[@LinZhesu]

What about spark plugs and coil packs?

[@jackle842000]

How to tell which are intake and which are exhaust valves?

[@hanselcedillos1047]

I think intake is the front and exhaust are the back.

[@hanselcedillos1047]

I was unable to "loosen the clamp holding the airbox onto the throttle body." I believe it's part 90005-RGA-000, which is a 4 mm hex and a phillips or JIS head as well. I stripped both of those methods of loosening through various idiotic methods (I did not have the correct tool for the job, a 4 mm deep socket probably would have saved me a headache). However, I was able to just manhandle the airbox off. I'll have to drill out and replace the poor destroyed bolt eventually. Also it was not in the same spot as in the video. The clamp had rotated so it was in a difficult location to access. It's funny how a 5 second clip in a video can turn into an hour of sweating lol!

[@hybridirongolfer8584]

do you happen to know the location of the motor temperature sensor?

[@K03sport]

coolant temp sensor perhaps?

[@roberts1159]

Some videos mention removing the spark plugs. Is this really required ? Noticed you did not remove during your video.

[@OldsmobileCutlassSupremeConver]

next time. can you mention Why we only rotate the engine clockwise. Dose it have anything to do with damaging parts.

[@halonjim6788]

Yes it’s very likely that you could damage the valve train by turning the engine counter-clockwise

[@VoidedWarranty]

clockwise the tension on the timing chain runs through the sprockets and idlers designed to take the load, and the tensioner is only there to take up the slack on the un-tensioned side of the chain run. Counter clockwise, the full chain tension is being directly applied to the tensioner. That could damage the tensioner or related components.

[@AlexTapisevic]

And the spark plugs... ?

[@devjaxvid]

I can do this, but really don’t want to, what do you think a valve adj/plug change would cost?

[@BRField]

I checked with local dealer, $500

[@bellagio88]

Do you have to replace any gaskets in the intake plenum ?

[@halonjim6788]

As long as you don’t damage the gaskets on the intake runner you should not have to replace any intake gaskets

[@martinsgall]

Its nice video but why u have to made it too quickly, u don't have to show how make 2 hours job in 5 minutes.Even Your voice its like on fast mode. Do u have maybe link to version with everything a little slower ;) ?

[@halonjim6788]

There’s a a great write-up on the fit freak forum. Im not a fan of how-to videos that take for ever to watch so I tried to make a video that cut straight to the point.

[@scott9269]

Also, you can play the video at 75% or 50% speed if needed.

[@zacox]

@@halonjim6788 Thank you for this!

[@Jeminitim]

Hit pause, complete task just covered then hit play.

[@DAlexKablack]

@@Jeminitim Ive learned to change clutches, transmissions, axles, drum brakes, radiators, rotors and catalytic converters this way.

[@sfbmx88]

If youre pulling the upper intake plenum, you dont need to pull the wiper cowl.

[@zoomjoo]

is this for real? i just did my spark plugs and pulled the cowl, but i guess that's easier than pulling the plenum. when i do my valves, i'll keep this in mind to speed the process. thanks.

[@alanrivas1947]

Just need to take the air filter box out the slide the manifold out through there...

[@DAlexKablack]

I gotta replace my cat, so I might as well do this and replace my plugs

[@happysteele]

Why do you say "only turn the crackshaft clockwise"? Why can't it be turned anti-clockwise?

[@chrisbroesky2932]

I think it's becuase the cam chain is tensioned on just one side. Turning in reverse the chain would tension up and press the tensioner away.

[@li9027]

А можно ли на паркинге поворачивать так коленвал? Положение АКПП - Р ( паркинг)

[@mg8718]

I see too many guys scewring around with these valve adjustments and end up burning out a valve. Especially the exaust valve. I leave them alone unless absolutley needed.

[@Itwasntalieitwastrueinmymind]

Why does this need to be done on Hondas but not Toyotas?

[@beecee5252]

Ugh...I’m just getting a new car!!! 😵

[@xxmouse440]

I was quoted $500 from a Honda dealership. I’m doing the job now it’s pretty darn easy compared to any of the other cars I’ve done other minor maintenance on, BMW, even Toyota’s. If you are capable of changing your oil, this shouldn’t be much more difficult, just more steps. I have never done any major maintenance requiring the engine to be open, even the valve cover and I have not had much trouble.

[@firstlast1732]

Didn’t show just mentioned what to do

[@josephpercel8802]

What a freakin' mess! The 2.4 TSX is cake!

[@MrRichierich1990]

I have 160K on my 09 fit and never had a valve adjustment.

[@sereg4g448]

Lol..according to manual u need to adjust every 24k

[@jolenegilvary692]

What valve spring recall?

[@roberts1159]

@@jolenegilvary692 There is a recall called "Lost Motion Spring" that occurred several years ago. You might want to check if it's still available to you. I have a 09 Fit and had this done quite awhile back.

[@DAlexKablack]

Mine was covered under some sort of warranty for first 100k, hasn't had one since then and it's at 277k now

[@paulh6591]

@@sereg4g448 It says inspect, not adjust. If it is within spec, no adjustment is necessary.

[@letsthinkitover1]

This is a pain in the rear , three hours wow how much does the dealer charge????? I love my Honda but thus is worse than child birth! Please Lord I pray everyday send me s mechanic who will trade cookies for car maintenance LOL I know grandma’s crazy! Why didnt I have a son that can do cars.???? OH yea and listen Kids when you do this stuff make sure you check everything while you have this junk out of the way yes plugs too , cars are like kids they need things and always cost you money.

[@seandicken7620]

I was just quoted $550 ($370 labor, $163 parts, plus tax)

[@psychiatry-is-eugenics]

.

[@illlooviyend321]

I alrdy want to sell this car

[@zmelli]

If you need to do all this crap every 30K miles I am definitely going to look for a good condition old school Honda. I think that I will Skip the Fit.

[@MediumHalf]

Don't know where he got that interval- you don't actually need to do this every 30k miles. Honda says to check and adjust if there's excessive noise.

[@athenaexclamation4167]

i gave up after 2nd minute

[@Mikekhoh]

Don't need to adjust the valve just change the spark plug to iridium one's

[@funkingitup1805]

The original spark plugs are iridium.

[@bmepdoc9675]

Nonsensical comment. Spark plugs and valves are mutually exclusive. One, (spark plugs) are a 'consumable', the other (valve adjustments) are a periodic maintenance procedure.