Author Topic: valve adjustment  (Read 2757 times)

jjt

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valve adjustment
« on: June 21, 2010, 01:28:58 PM »
I have reason to believe the valves need adjusted in my scoot. I am mechanically inclined, and wonder if this is a job I could tackle, or should I go to my local dealer ? I have the instructions from the service manual, but just wonder if this is a huge job.

wordslinger

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Re: valve adjustment
« Reply #1 on: June 21, 2010, 10:51:13 PM »
..it's easy if you have the correct tools...adjust them cold...double check the gap after tightening the jam nut...

..annd..Welcome to th' Forum!!!


peace
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Hoolander2

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Re: valve adjustment
« Reply #2 on: June 22, 2010, 02:47:32 AM »
I just did the valves on mine.  I found it to be somewhat huge at first even though I've done valves before on smaller easier engines.   Could do it again in half the time now I suppose but still think it's a big chore.   I spread it over several days since I could use the car while the scoot was apart.

I'd figure on 6 to 8 hours of pretty constant work, if not a little more. You'll want very good lighting to see what you're doing in the head.  Also a cinch strap or some way to compress the rear suspension.  I found the valve cover would NOT come out through the frame unless that was done. Thanks to Zombie here for the advice on that. Finding just the right way to put the strap around the frame/through the wheel was an adventure in itself.   

Other tools:  feeler gauges of the correct thickness.  A small valve adjustment tool -- I made one by cutting up parts of the inside of a ballpoint pen, though the Kymco tool would've been a lot easier.  Also the 9mm Kymco wrench for the lock nuts would've been very nice ...  I had to buy a 9mm offset end wrench and wound up having to grind it very thin at the neck.  Lucky I had a bench grinder. 

Other hard parts were getting the decorative plastic panels off the side of the floorboard hump.  They're a real bugger as others will attest.  You must pry upwards really firmly with your fingertips and palms to get the first 3 bottom tabs to start to come out.  Plan on sore fingers after that part.   :)

I'm going to be real busy this week or I'd offer to walk you through it in more detail.

If you've never adjusted valves before, I think I'd let the dealer do it, though. 

 

wordslinger

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Re: valve adjustment
« Reply #3 on: June 22, 2010, 03:09:49 AM »
....wwowwww...i can adjust valves on my A50 in less than an hour....
..every mod (action) necessitates a (reaction) mod..

sidthesloth

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Re: valve adjustment
« Reply #4 on: June 22, 2010, 09:12:16 AM »
There are tappet adjusting tool sets out there, usually with 3 different size sockets and 3 inserts to fit most makes. I will be getting one when I can get the money.
« Last Edit: June 23, 2010, 09:59:16 AM by sidthesloth »
ZX50, 47mm cyl. kit, TZR50 CDI. Michelin Pilot Sport tyres,
Next performance mod; pumping the tyres up.

jjt

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Re: valve adjustment
« Reply #5 on: June 22, 2010, 12:31:17 PM »
Thanks all for the advice. Looks like somewhere between a medium to a large job. Don't have the Kymco tools, so I'll be working with existing tools. Anything anyone can think of that I may need specifically tool wise ? Have metric sockets, feeler guages.

Hoolander2

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Re: valve adjustment
« Reply #6 on: June 23, 2010, 02:50:53 AM »
Other than what I mentioned above, you'll need a socket big enough to turn the flywheel.  It's bigger than comes in most sets.  I just happend to have an american size that fit it.  Also, metric allen wrenches. 

Socket extensions in various lengths are very helpful.  I have quarter inch drive sockets and three/eighths drive.  And even a few large half inch drive.

Once you get all the plastic off, I found it necessary to remove the coil and loosen the thermostat -- you can leave both hooked up -- just take off the nuts that hold them.  One for the thermo and two for the coil.  Place the coil out of the way towards the front of the engine.  You'll just push the thermostat out of the way while lifting the valve cover up and out. 

Hoolander2

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Re: valve adjustment
« Reply #7 on: June 23, 2010, 02:58:45 AM »
By the way, my manual shows the flywheel being turned through an access hole in the right side of the engine.  My Xciting does not have that hole!  I had to turn the engine through the left side (turning the variator nut).  This means you've got to have an arm over the scooter turning the wrench while looking for the T mark through the peep hole on the right side.  If you have to do this too, then you'll be turning the wrench Counter clockwise rather than clockwise as the manual says.

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