valve clearance check

[sho'noff]

how many miles before the valve clearance check should I expect to wait? what is normal? typically how difficult would it be to adjust them?
from what I understand the valve shims from a big 4 kawasaki kz would work, is that correct?

 

[LOUDSHO92]

It is part of the 60k and it can be done in a day.

We have the shim kit here: SHO Source

 

[kevinspann]

My car has 125k on it and it isn't a concern...if I need to pull the intake for something I'd consider checking them, or if the valve cover gaskets are leaking, that's a good time to do it too.

 

[SHOtime2511]

I've checked several motors over the years and only changed like 3 shims maybe.

 

[rubydist]

I too have checked numerous engines and most of them were still in spec. I never had to change more than 2 shims on any one engine.

I even changed cams in one engine and only had to adjust one shim after doing that.

they are quite stable and its really not something to worry about. its easy to check when you are doing the 60k work, and maybe you need to adjust one or two and maybe you don't.

 

[sho'noff]

from what I have seen on youtube these style shims should pop out without removing the cam. is there a special tool?

 

[rubydist]

yes they do, and yes there is a special tool to do it (actually a pair of tools.)

 

[LOUDSHO92]

from what I have seen on youtube these style shims should pop out without removing the cam. is there a special tool?

Yes and they are included in the shim kit.

 

[AREA 91]

It just depends on the engine. The Yamaha is a very high quality engine with tight tolerances. Most of the time the shims are within spec.

If you are going to look for shims locally, the shim diameter is 29mm.

 

[LOUDSHO92]

It is 29mm.

 

[sho'noff]

was replacing the spark plugs in hopes of having enough time to check the comprehenssion and i found that 4+ year old spark plugs need to be replaced sooner than 30k miles.

 

[sho'noff]

when I looked into the cylinder with a flashlight the piston had a round spot that looked like it was cast onto the top of it. about half the size of a dime, I wonder if that is normal?

 

[sho'noff]

My car has 125k on it and it isn't a concern...if I need to pull the intake for something I'd consider checking them, or if the valve cover gaskets are leaking, that's a good time to do it too.

it looks like the rear valve cover would be hard to get to without taking off the intake.

 

[rubydist]

when I looked into the cylinder with a flashlight the piston had a round spot that looked like it was cast onto the top of it. about half the size of a dime, I wonder if that is normal?

there is a small round spot on the top center of the pistons. most likely yours has a bunch of carbon buildup on it, which is not desirable.

 

[sho'noff]

there is a small round spot on the top center of the pistons. most likely yours has a bunch of carbon buildup on it, which is not desirable.

no, it is on all the cylinders that i looked at. actually about 13mm diameter upon closer peering. weird, like a mini piston top crop circle.

 

[sho'noff]

may not need the valve adjustment I changed the plugs and it runs fine on all 4 cylinders.

 

[SHOdded]

4 cylinders?

 

[rubydist]

that is why one should not post after their fourth beer of the night....

 

[AREA 91]

no, it is on all the cylinders that i looked at. actually about 13mm diameter upon closer peering. weird, like a mini piston top crop circle.

That is cast into the piston from the factory.
Nothing to worry about.

 

[sho'noff]

wow, I just thought of something, maybe some regrind cams with larger shims would be affordable and easy to do.