Valve Clearance Adjustment Instructions

When the valve opening system for intake and exhaust takes excessive play, a ticking noise can be heard coming from under the rocker cover; this is because, due to excessive play, the cam hits the valve lifter: it is therefore possible to adjust everything using a special feeler gauge.

Once the rocker cover and the timing belt cover have been removed, rotate the crankshaft pulley to align the timing marks and position the exhaust valve of the first cylinder at maximum opening: in this configuration, assess and, if necessary, adjust the clearance of the intake valve of the third cylinder and the exhaust of the fourth (in French engines, the cylinder numbering starts from the opposite side of the timing belt, so the cylinders are counted from right to left when looking at the engine from the front; while the intake valves are the rear ones and the exhaust valves are the front ones).

The adjustment is made by loosening the locknut and turning the adjustment screw either way as needed; once certain of the necessary clearance, tighten the locknut again. Rotate the crankshaft again to fully open the exhaust valve of the third cylinder and adjust the intake of the fourth and the exhaust of the second.

Then proceed to position the exhaust of the fourth cylinder at maximum opening and adjust the intake of the second cylinder and the exhaust of the first. Finally, position the exhaust of the second cylinder at maximum opening and adjust the intake of the first cylinder and the exhaust of the third.

The sequence is thus that of the firing order: 1342. Finally, reattach the rocker cover.