K20 - K Series Honda Valve Adjustment (8th Gen Si)

Showing everyone an easy DIY valve adjustment job on an 8th gen civic si. Hope this helps all you 8th gen owners out!
- Intake Valves: .009
- Exhaust Valves: .012

[@ryanl8340]

The valve clearence for the k20z3 is:.008-.010 intake (front valves) and .010-.012 exhaust (rear valves). Done this a couple of times on Honda motors and every single time I end up with noisy valves if I use the mid to higher number so now I always use the lower number (.008 intake and .01 exhaust in this case). They physically aren't going to be too tight if you can get the feeler in there without much effort. Another tip for turning motor which is easier than the method used here is to jack up the front passenger side wheel and leave it in 6th gear. Now just spin that wheel. If you feel like being ultra lazy then just use the alternator pulley bolt (believe it's 10mm) and crank it clockwise. And most importantly, never crank the motor backwards. That could screw up the timing chain tensioner.

[@eduardorodriguez9875]

.01. K biene. Siendo. El ajuste

[@trevercollins6910]

Very good information.

[@anthonyfeehan7393]

Can someone confirm this?

[@Lawfulcitizen76]

Very helpful video. Straight and to the point, edited out all the BS. Thanks!

[@TheGerbsteve]

That's why i made this. There were no helpful DIY for the 8th gen k series, so i decided I'd make one. It took me some time to edit this, and i appreciate that man!

[@rolandalfonso6954]

This was so appreciated. Especially how to remove the under-cowl thing... (gotta remove the wiper blades, amirite?) And I ain't gotta disconntect the coils! Just lay them aside. One less thing to go wrong. And the magnetic spark plug socket! Done. Thank you! 2007 . Just hit 100,000. got an A 124 Maintenance Code. Here I go...

[@TheGerbsteve]

You got this. It is a pretty easy job, but you have to be precise. Honda’s are very fun cars to drive and work on. Yours is a baby haha 👌🏼

[@rolandalfonso6954]

@@TheGerbsteve I'm 64. Original owner. Purchased new off of the show room floor of Brandon Honda. Fiji Blue Pearl. Luv it! Now, excuse me while I twist it to eight grand. And yep at my age I'm precise and luv this stuff. For fun, the first thing I purchased for my car was the factory service manuals both volumes and they wasn't cheap.

[@zaytoony]

much respect for ya man! easy to follow instructions, might be tackling it soon!

[@TheGerbsteve]

Thanks bro, take your time with it. Any info that you need should be online. Never Stop Wrenching.

[@calvink3081]

Exhaust valves on that car should be .010-.011 The torque is 14lbft for both intake and exhaust. 10lbft is on the k20a3(low compression k engines)

[@UsmanKhan-fp5uu]

Calvin K what if we over torque the lock nut... ?? Any adverse effect... i didnt have the torque wrench so i tightes as much as it went.... is it okay ??

[@AnonX-jk3zu]

@@UsmanKhan-fp5uu No that is NOT ok. Those internal engine parts need to be torque to exact spec. It's not like suspension stuff where you can get away with good n tight.

[@andrewromero2746]

And quick suggestion rather than rotating the crankshaft 90 degrees every cylinder i usually use a long screwdriver or extension but gotta mark a line on top of the that spark plug tube while on 1st cylinder while on tdc before u even get to next cylinder base on firing engine.

[@NeWodDipo]

Whats the name of the magnetic wrench tool you used to pull the spark plugs out

[@Nguy3nImprovd]

Does anyone know when TDC we do both intake and exhaust adjustment for cylinder 1? then when at cylinder 3 we do intake and exhaust for cylinder 3 at the same time and so on..

[@andrewromero2746]

I did my adjustment last week and the engine sounds more quite and revs happily but before i even adjust it while driving radio off and all windows close im hearing a little tic or like a clogged valve line.. anyways since i adjusted i still hear it and when driving at freeway i suddenly get a check engine light for vtc valve gettin stuck my engine is k20a3.. 1000miles ago it was rebuilt by me

[@cardboardorigami]

The specs I was told were 0.008 intake and 0.010 exhaust. Where do I find the truth?

[@TheGerbsteve]

+cardboardorigami My video, I talked to a Honda tech.

[@JulesTeh1]

yes.. this is correct

[@junRowdy]

I've been reading on 8th civic forums that people run them at .008 on the intake and .010 on the exhaust. You gain some performance and quiets down valvetrain noise. A few people were having issues with running them at .009 Int and .011-.012 Exh

[@Gregg0112]

Intake .21-.25mm Exhaust .25-.29mm. Engine must be below 100 degrees

[@Desertduleler_88]

@@junRowdy I decided to run my valve clearances to .008" and .011" respectively on my 2006 CRV instead of running .012" on the exhausts, it has quietened my valve train considerably.

[@Alex-wx3rv]

Hey Gerb. I’ve done many valve adjustments on k20z3’s before for some of my buddies so I knew what to expect when I did mine last night on my si. This morning I started it up and it ran fine, besides a small tick that’s barely noticeable from only the interior. Also data logged on flashpro and it counted 17 knocks in 5 minutes only on cylinder 3. None of the other cylinders logged any knock. Car was completely fine before the adjustment as I drove it 3 days prior and data logged as well, and only had 2 knocks between all 4 cylinders during a 45 minute datalogs. Do you have any idea what it could be? I’m gonna let it sit for another day or two to get completely cold so I can go back in and re-adjust them again, just trying to get some opinions until then….

[@Runescape.]

the flashpro knock is not real,(as ive read) its based on a knock sensor in the engine that can detect a lot of false positivities. even hitting stuff in the road can cause it, bumpy roads, etc

[@f.i.t4057]

wow haven't done one on mine n it's 135,000 miles lol idk if the past owner did one but I just finished my tune with vit n he didn't tell anything but looks like I might just get one.

[@TheGerbsteve]

I just figured I'd do mine while replacing my valve cover gasket. I need a tune so bad man! Just got my exhaust!

[@f.i.t4057]

+Gerb Productions I 'll suggest waiting for a tune once you have all your mod parts n are certain to keep it that way then tune , but yeah just got my drunk from bit it made 208.89 whp n 154tq should be off by 1-2 whp n torque but yeah that was my goal the 200whp club lol

[@TheGerbsteve]

That's exactly what I'm going to do. Have a few more things that I'm going to order, then I'll save for the hondata. I'd be satisfied with those numbers. 200 who for the win haha

[@christopherrogers8316]

yo im about to scale my tps in kpro, after i do the read 0% and the 100%, do i have to hit upload?

[@andrewromero2746]

Hey gerb quick question on doing the valves lash gap some of people are doing the adjustment lobe pointing upward i did the same method like yours and is there any diffirence on adjusting the lobe pointing upward rather than lobe pointing a little off side

[@TheGerbsteve]

I’m not sure bro, I just did it the way I felt the most comfortable. It’s a very tricky job

[@andrewromero2746]

Gerb Productions i watched some videos from ericthecarguy thats what he does im just stomp how does he do that on lobe pointing upward it does alter the tdc though

[@TheGerbsteve]

Not sure.. I’ve heard of people doing it like him as well. He’s more experienced than us backyard guys lol

[@abot4694]

Thanks for the awesome tutorial dude :D

[@UsmanKhan-fp5uu]

if we over torque the lock nuts what could be the adverse effect ??

[@TheGerbsteve]

Mainly you will Strip the threads on the rocker

[@Desertduleler_88]

You'd have to stupid to strip threads on a rocker....

[@anonymzs]

Hi gerb, do you have an Amazon link to that magnetic socket? Just wana make sure I get the right one

[@TheGerbsteve]

I don't.. You can get them at harbor freight

[@donaldgeterjr8180]

Question, do you think you have enough room in the back to use a valve spring compressor tool to remove the exhaust valves if you wanted to?

[@TheGerbsteve]

I don't think so man, It's pretty tight back there. I was having a hard enough time with a small wrench and my feeler gauges. Doesn't hurt to try!

[@Gregg0112]

Donald Geter Jr You have to remove your cylinder head to remove your valves

[@heczrivz2390]

THANK YOU SIR! SAVED ME $

[@TheGerbsteve]

+Hector Rivera 👍🏼

[@SkyBlue-uh4pi]

Great video !! Thanks man. with valve cover off, mind as well upgrade the valves and valve train, along with some camshafts upgrade !! haha i want the DC 2.2 Endurance.

[@Gregg0112]

Arsen Jasko How do you change the valves without pulling the head?

[@maximeemond2009]

@@Gregg0112 impossible

[@Gregg0112]

Maxime Emond That what I thought until this guy said while the valve cover was off it was a good time lol

[@Tcho2100]

Yay!! No more timing belt!!

[@TheGerbsteve]

+Tcho2100 Right lol... Do you drive an si?

[@Tcho2100]

Gerb Productions i own a 2013 Si

[@TheGerbsteve]

+Tcho2100 nice bro, how's the torque?

[@Tcho2100]

Gerb Productions meh! 170ft of torque!u don't really feel the push unless u rev it hard until the vtec light come on(wich i don't really like to rev my car that much) over 5000 rpm! I come from a maxima 2003 that had about 245ft of torque at low rpm! I loved it!

[@Ms.Fowlbwahhh]

Tcho2100 Swap your head for a k20 one and then do full bolt ons and a tune. Rev that baby to 8k.

[@noblewon3507]

So put it on top dead center to adjust cylinder 1 and 3 valves then turn 180 degrees and adjust 2 and 4 cylinder valves? Or do I have to turn it 180 degrees for each cylinder?

[@TheGerbsteve]

Top dead center first, cylinder 1,3,4, then 2... I believe i rotated crank 90 degrees each time. You have to turn it rotate it for each cylinder you go to

[@noblewon3507]

Got my head back today! Wrenching away . Got alot of work to do.

[@dimitrusvalentin6280]

my si is black but the paint is bad so imma do that once i get all the outside mods done to it

[@TheGerbsteve]

Paint can wait... Performance > Appearance lol

[@dimitrusvalentin6280]

+Gerb Productions i just got a new wing its a mugen wing after that imma get some coils or exhaust

[@TheGerbsteve]

What are you going to get for coils??

[@dimitrusvalentin6280]

+Gerb Productions imma get racelands because my friend had racelands on his 8th gen for like 3years and it doesnt feel bad

[@TheGerbsteve]

Price?

[@ceesar4239]

helpful DIY thanks man

[@TheGerbsteve]

Glad i could help you my dude!

[@diegocarrillo2918]

question. is there torque specs when you tighten the valve cover?

[@TheGerbsteve]

+Dego18 Col yes. They are anywhere from 13-15 lb ft of torque. Just do 15, you'll be good

[@diegocarrillo2918]

sounds good thank you for the quick reply.

[@TheGerbsteve]

+Dego18 Col you got it. If any of your si friends need help, you know where to send them haha ;)

[@Gregg0112]

Dego18 Col It’s 8.7 ft lbs

[@angelflores1739]

Hey bro what’s the size of the stock bypass valve ?

[@TheGerbsteve]

I used an adjustable on mine, so I don’t really know the exact size

[@angelflores1739]

Do you know how I can get a blowoff valve that will fit my 8th gen coupe ?

[@maximeemond2009]

@@angelflores1739 is your 8th gen turbocharged

[@noblewon3507]

So this works for the 08 si? I know it's a 8gen but same thing right?

[@TheGerbsteve]

This process will work for 06' - 11' civic si models.

[@battosaijenkins946]

@Gerb Productions, hey man great video. Just a quick question, if my 2010 civic has 37k miles but over 8 years old now, having strange idle problems and checked vacuum leaks, proper oil changes, and everything. Would it be pointless to do a valve adjustment? I hear it's supposed to be done at over 100k miles, and I've babied this car to death but every once in a while at a stop I get a strange stuttering which worries me, anyways thanks!

[@Electricianarchery]

@@battosaijenkins946 dude my car is doing the same thing you described did you ever find a fix??

[@rylanblacklaws8987]

Just wondering if your engine should be as cold as possible when adjusting the valves. Or is it okay if it's hot/ slightly warm. Thx in advance. Your videos help alot.

[@TheGerbsteve]

100% cold. Glad i can help you out

[@1982james111]

do you need to drain the oil before taking of the head cover?

[@TheGerbsteve]

You don't

[@1982james111]

Gerb Productions ok cheers 🍻 👍

[@Jhonnyboii92]

Bro we have the same password on are phones 😂

[@TheGerbsteve]

That’s wild 😂😎

[@Electricianarchery]

Dude did you ever figure out why your car was smoking !?

[@TheGerbsteve]

I didn't...

[@TheTurpin1234]

Ur passcode is 1992 :0 So youre also 25?

[@TheGerbsteve]

Yes, i'm an old man haha

[@Goleko420]

@@TheGerbsteve And now.....he's 30. Getting old my man lol. I'm 34 turnin 35 in a month, i feel you

[@TheGerbsteve]

@@Goleko420 30’s is the time for massive growth and dad bod lol 🤙🏼😎

[@Goleko420]

@@TheGerbsteve Totally right there with you, lol. Dad bod definitely started kickin in when I hit 30. Annnnd now I really am a dad too! lol. 3yr old daughter :) NEVER stop wrenching!