Valve adjustment: DIY or Dealership?

[Browneyesvictim]

Any thoughts on doing your own valve adjustment? Anybody done it on the Max tractors that might lend some insight? I'm well versed on the process and procedures on many other makes and models of engines. I do have the service manual, but honestly I haven't looked at this section yet. Any pitfalls to look out for? I'm betting most folks rely on their dealer for this job especially when its still under warranty, but I am hesitant with the skill level with my local dealer anymore.

 

[mcfarmall]

Bummer that your dealer doesn't have anyone skilled enough to do this task. Good advice from another poster on the forum to do a pre-purchase visit to the service department and ask to see the technicians certificates of completion from Mahindra Factory Training.

 

[dfkrug]

I can not speak for the Mahindra units first-hand, but if you have done it on other
engines, and you don't hate to do it, go for it.

I would bet that over 90% of CUTs do not have it done at all during the warranty
period. If you do not skimp on engine oil changes, yours prob will be in-spec for
at least 1000hr.

I have done many many engines, and the only tedious ones have used shims
instead of nuts to adjust. All the diesels I have done did not use shims.

 

[AchingBack]

In the ten years I've been on this forum this is the first time I've seen anyone mention the need for a valve adjustment. How many hours could there possibly be on a one year old tractor causing the need for the procedure?

 

[oldpilgrim]

^ this. Unless you know something is wrong.....fugettaboutit.

 

[Browneyesvictim]

In the ten years I've been on this forum this is the first time I've seen anyone mention the need for a valve adjustment. How many hours could there possibly be on a one year old tractor causing the need for the procedure?

That's a good question! But its not 1 year old but 3 years and at 400 hours. The service chart shows every adjusting valves every 200 hours. I had the tractor at the dealer at 200 hours having ballast added to the tires at the time and had them go ahead and do the 200 hour service. I have my doubts that even they did it at 200 hours. I will find out soon enough to see if the paint has been disturbed off the valve cover bolts.

 

[davesl708]

That's a good question! But its not 1 year old but 3 years and at 400 hours. The service chart shows every adjusting valves every 200 hours. I had the tractor at the dealer at 200 hours having ballast added to the tires at the time and had them go ahead and do the 200 hour service. I have my doubts that even they did it at 200 hours. I will find out soon enough to see if the paint has been disturbed off the valve cover bolts.

Wow. 200 hrs. My BX calls for the first adjustment at 800hrs. It was not performed until 1237hrs. They were .001" out.
If they did not do them at 200hrs. I doubt you are out that far at 400. Does the engine feel like it is running weaker?
Doing it yourself is not a hard job. Just make sure you start with a cold engine.

 

[Jabonee]

I do valve adjustments all the time. I usually never find them very far out of spec. even on units with lots of hrs. But its important to do that first one just to see if they are in adjustment from the factory.Loose valve adj. will rob a little performance.

 

[oldpilgrim]

I do valve adjustments all the time. I usually never find them very far out of spec. even on units with lots of hrs. But its important to do that first one just to see if they are in adjustment from the factory.Loose valve adj. will rob a little performance.

Do you do them regularly on your car, truck, lawn mover or other engines? If not, why do it with the tractor, which is a very slow running motor that is even less likely to need it?

 

[Jabonee]

Do you do them regularly on your car, truck, lawn mover or other engines? If not, why do it with the tractor, which is a very slow running motor that is even less likely to need it?

NO.Thats a good point. But how many out there know what the service interval is for there car or mower?