valve adjustment?

[tonymtona]

i need some help and i knew that most of you guys could help..well can some one help me understand what really is a valve adjustment and how this effects your bike, how often or when to do it maybe even how to do the adjustment lol but yeah all of it all that good stuff regarding valve adjustments..im thinking i should do that on my 2001 yz426 thanks guys

[Woody_393]

Valves are what opens and shuts to allow gas to enter, and exhaust to escape.

If they are out of spec, gas or exhaust (usually both) won't be able to enter/exit as well as it should. So in short, you lose power if they are out of spec. If they are far enough out of spec you'll have trouble starting, idling, and sometimes even running the bike.

Checking to make sure they are in spec is a snap. Once you've done it, you'll wonder why you waited so long...

If you do have to shim (adjust) your valves, it's pretty easy too, but I'd start with checking them, then we can cover adjusting them (actually, if you don't have a service manual (shop manual) I'd suggest getting one.

Good luck

[tonymtona]

Originally Posted by Woody_393

Valves are what opens and shuts to allow gas to enter, and exhaust to escape.

If they are out of spec, gas or exhaust (usually both) won't be able to enter/exit as well as it should. So in short, you lose power if they are out of spec. If they are far enough out of spec you'll have trouble starting, idling, and sometimes even running the bike.

Checking to make sure they are in spec is a snap. Once you've done it, you'll wonder why you waited so long...

If you do have to shim (adjust) your valves, it's pretty easy too, but I'd start with checking them, then we can cover adjusting them (actually, if you don't have a service manual (shop manual) I'd suggest getting one.

Good luck

man woody you are of good help like i said im pretty new with all of this..is there a way you can guide me on doing this process on just checking them first like how you said i dont have a manual for the bike..is that gonna be a problem lol

[KKXR400R]

Originally Posted by tonymtona

man woody you are of good help like i said im pretty new with all of this..is there a way you can guide me on doing this process on just checking them first like how you said i dont have a manual for the bike..is that gonna be a problem lol

Your manual will explain the whole process in detail. You will need it to get the clearance specs so you should bite the bullet and get a manual. I believe Haynes or Clymer makes one but you might want to check. I prefer the factory ones. Theres some pretty sharp guys on here to guide you through the process or if you run into problems. Let us know how it goes. See ya

-Kevin-

[Woody_393]

You really do need a manual.

eBay Motors: Yamaha YZ426F Service Manual Download 2001 (item 250230083789 end time Apr-02-08 17:50:52 PDT)

I can and will help where you have questions though.

You can also watch the yz250f video to get a good idea of how it works.

Excellent Video about Checking and Adjusting Valves

If you have your owners manual it will at least tell you what the clearance should be. Otherwise, I'm sure another 426 owner can shed some light.

[Woody_YZF]

If you want the Clymer manual. The ATM store now carries them and I checked and we have yours in stock for $26 plus shipping. PM me if you want one. Trust me it makes adjusting your valves pretty painless. You may want a shim kit too, which you can also get for $69 plus shipping from the ATM store. Or I have a used shim kit that I used once when I had my 450 and I'd be glad to sell that to you for $30 plus shipping. I think I only used 2 or 3 shims out of it. Good Luck!!

[tonymtona]

Originally Posted by Woody_YZF

If you want the Clymer manual. The ATM store now carries them and I checked and we have yours in stock for $26 plus shipping. PM me if you want one. Trust me it makes adjusting your valves pretty painless. You may want a shim kit too, which you can also get for $69 plus shipping from the ATM store. Or I have a used shim kit that I used once when I had my 450 and I'd be glad to sell that to you for $30 plus shipping. I think I only used 2 or 3 shims out of it. Good Luck!!

ok so i did some searching on these forums and i came up on a link that took me to the entire 01' YZ426F manual (the manual that comes with the bike) thats what it said...so should i look at the camshaft section or the one that says valves and valve springs...i might be able to post them up if that would be more helpful this looks like its going to be complicated lol

[Woody_393]

Nah, it's pretty easy.

Just remember 1 step at a time.

First you need to check them. That's easy. Chances are you won't even need to adjust them. But you won't know until you check.

[tonymtona]

seriously guys i want to do it myself so i can also learn but i dont want to do anything that might mess it up even more i was counting on my pops on helping me out but it didnt turn out like that lol so i called the shop and they said they can do it for $120..what do you guys think

[Woody_393]

$120 Does that include adjusting if they need it? Or is that just to check?

What if they are still in spec? Less? I should be, because checking and adjusting are not the same and one requires more time.

It's your money.

I think you can do it. I can check my valves in 30 minutes. First time it took an hour. Adjusting adds another hour for your first try, 30 minutes for you second.

I would see if they will at least just check for a lower cost. If they need adjusting, another cost.

Like I said, I think you can do it, but it's your money.

[Woody_393]

Another thought... you check them, and if they are in spec, you save some $$

If they are out of spec, put the valve cover back on and take it to them to adjust. It might save you some $$ if you already have the shouds/gas tank/seat off the bike.

[tonymtona]

Originally Posted by Woody_393

$120 Does that include adjusting if they need it? Or is that just to check?

What if they are still in spec? Less? I should be, because checking and adjusting are not the same and one requires more time.

It's your money.

I think you can do it. I can check my valves in 30 minutes. First time it took an hour. Adjusting adds another hour for your first try, 30 minutes for you second.

I would see if they will at least just check for a lower cost. If they need adjusting, another cost.

Like I said, I think you can do it, but it's your money.

well they said to adjust them thats what the price was gonna be..yeah im currently in medical school and i guess you can say im in a budget lol..can you help me check them like how you said and tell me how i would know if they are gonna need to get adjusted?

[Woody_393]

You got the owners manual correct?

The information should be in it. You'll have to read it and see what part is specific to just checking your valve clearance.

All you do is remove the gas tank, shrouds, & seat. Then pull the spark plug & wire, then remove the valve cover. Get your bike to TDC (top dead center) and check the clearance of the valves with a feeler gauge. If in spec, button it back up. If not.. we'll you can cross that bridge if you get to it.

Is your bike not starting well, or idling well?

[tonymtona]

Originally Posted by Woody_393

You got the owners manual correct?

The information should be in it. You'll have to read it and see what part is specific to just checking your valve clearance.

All you do is remove the gas tank, shrouds, & seat. Then pull the spark plug & wire, then remove the valve cover. Get your bike to TDC (top dead center) and check the clearance of the valves with a feeler gauge. If in spec, button it back up. If not.. we'll you can cross that bridge if you get to it.

Is your bike not starting well, or idling well?

i put in a new spark plug i checked the oil its clean i checked the air filter its clean i havent checked the carburator yet...they bike was running fine when i first got it but now its harder to start now im doing the right procedure to turn on and it wants to start but nope and when i did have it on i remember i would hear like a clacking noise and yeah the bike would stall on me too after awhile so i thought those would symptoms of getting my valves checked

[tonymtona]

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

i went on to that link and they have the whole manual...if you want to check it out open the chapter 4 and once it you open it 4-20 is for the camshaft section and 4-30 is for the valves and valve springs section

[Woody_393]

Yep, that's where I'd start -- valves.

It really is an easy job, but you'll have to let your $$ decide.

[tonymtona]

i would deffinetly want to save some money if possible lol summer is on the way and i deff want to ride..if you can take a look a that link and see what you can get out of it that might be useful to my situation

[Woody_393]

you want 3-18.bmp through 3-19.bmp to check it.

You use 3-18.bmp through 3-22.bmp to adjust it.

3.23.bmp has your valve clearance.

Intake: .10mm - .15mm
Exhaust: .20mm - .25mm

[tonymtona]

Originally Posted by Woody_393

you want 3-18.bmp through 3-19.bmp to check it.

You use 3-18.bmp through 3-22.bmp to adjust it.

3.23.bmp has your valve clearance.

Intake: .10mm - .15mm
Exhaust: .20mm - .25mm

so are the shims what adjust the valves? ive been going over some of the steps and i basicly have to make sure its at tdc and everything aligned and just check the valve exhaust and intake clearances and the shims right..i am having trouble with the formula that they give in the forums tho..

[Woody_393]

Yes the shims are what adjusts the clearance.

So if your clearance is too tight, you want a smaller shim so it makes the size of the gap bigger.

you are simply measuring the distance between the cam and the top of the valve bucket. When you check it, you can't even see the shims due to the bucket being over the top of them.