Because there is no self adjustment on J37A engines (and on many other 6 cyl Honda engines), as there are no hydraulic lifters. It's manual adjustment. And I can assure you it's needed at higher mileages as clearly seen in this detailed guide. Unless you don't care about the noise, loss of compression and worse gas mileage in case of loose clearances and valve eating into the seats (which is permanent damage) in case of clearances that are too tight. I hope this helps!
I messed up on last nights valve adjustment took light drag literal. I readjusted the valves and made sure that a size bigger gauge does not fit in intake and exhaust valves only the recommended specs, I forgot two sensors after assembling everything back together then resolved the issue and boom a normal tick and NO HORRID MPG; thank from the bottom of my heart and wish you nothing be success. You saved me from an expensive maintenance job, it gave me a deeper understanding on vehicles and how they operate. I’m in the IT field and never thought I would work on a car both industry are similar on make sure your device or car is working up to spec and remembering every bolt or screws for computers location
What a wonderful story, thanks for sharing! FYI, I also work in IT field and until 2011 had neither inclination, nor any idea that I would ever be driving a car, let alone working on one!
💯💯💯🙌 I wish he did work here in Philly. I would happily have him work on my 09 mdx. I get excited everytime a new video comes out. Great camera angles and work. 💪You always go above and beyond Bogdan 👍
@@edde333 Thanks! Actually now that I've done it twice, it doesn't seem that complicated anymore. So as long as you are attentive to details and take your time, it's absolutely a DIY!
FANTASTIC video. Just used this information to adjust the valves on my 06 MDX. Runs perfect and no more check engine light for multiple cylinder misfires
@@AcuraAddicted amigo!!!! Cual es la medida de cada parte? 0.30mm exaust 0.22mm intake ¿? Mi motor es un j37 2007 mdx. Estas son las medidas correctas?
Many thanks Bogdan. All of your videos are first rate and easy to follow. I used this one when I found oil leaking into a spark plug tube. It was a lot of work to fix that small problem, but I changed a lot of gaskets and cleaned up much gunk also in the process. My 2007 MDX Tech has 204,000 miles and is going strong.
Hey my youTube mechanic and friend...I just finished step by step a valve adjustment....and I did well just because of you. It took me around 10 hours in my Acura TL 2005. Thank you so much. Two thumbs up 👍👍 Thank
Your tutorials are all so thorough and excellent. I really appreciate how succinct you are in your explanations and actually naming parts. I use your tutorials all the time working on my 2012 MDX, and i appreciate all the time and effort you put into filming these. I have fone all of my own maintenance on this car for the last 5 years, and the valve adjustment is next on the list. Thanks!
My hat goes off to you, thank you for sharing this amazing video. I am actually a huge fan of the J37, i own a MDX 2011 SH-AWD with 100k miles and this tank as i like to call it can move only because of such an amazing engine with plenty of power. I cannot imagine how many engines you have taken a part, clearly you are a master of your craft. You took time to explain and show us exactly what you were doing with high precision. Thank you, we appreciate you sharing your knowledge with us.
Thank you for your kind words, Daniel. Believe it or not, this was the second time I got the covers open (first time was in 2014). The vast majority of the maintenance and repairs you see on my channel is filmed when I'm doing the procedure for the first time. That's why it takes so much time to film and edit after. Once again, thanks!
As professional as it gets. And don't worry, it's taking me about 200 hours to get the spark plug tube seals out hahah.....much prefer working on my Mercedes, so much more straightforward. However thanks to videos like this, my mom's tl can get the love it needs
Great video AA, I've seen guys that found the hose between the intake and the front valve cover to be plugged(6:19) with the sludge/Blowby moving through the engine crankcase to the intake. That short hose sees most of it and will carbon up inside. Synthetic oil is a good way to cut down on the blowby and a good 10W-30 will help seal the rings better. I'm in Texas and use 10W-40 to compensate for the heat a little better. I found #2 cylinder had wiped the Cam Lobe and severe clicking noise on that Exh. Rocker. Had to replace both cams and a couple of rockers and it's been fine since. 288K+ miles.
Your video helped tremendously multiple places told me to check my coil packs and spark plugs when ODB will tell me in detail valve adjustment even when I took it to get it smogged they said the same. I did a clutch job on my 2017 sr turbo Sentra without instructions due to lack of, so this valve job on the mdx wasn’t as bad I rather do this than a clutch all day
The service manual says Exhaust is 0.28-0.32mm (0.011-0.013), Intake 0.20-0.24mm (0.008-0.009in) so it is a range so don't sweat it if you can't find 22 & 30 as video list the mid point only... Also those 10mm bolt should be torqued back at 20Nm/14lbf-ft - I should have checked it before as I likely didn't torque them enough with my short 10mm wrench (had to use a socket to loosen many of them). I would also highly suggest doing 4,5,6 and opening only one side at a time and doing the front first to get good practice as the back is so much harder. No reason to go back and forth and cover things to prevent debris from falling as you go back and forth. Also painters tape works better at sealing the intake than shop towels IMO.
wow truly amazing videography and your technical skills are clearly understood for those of us that want to learn the intricate parts of doing the job correctly.
Hi Bogdan: Good to see you back in action. Hope you have been well. I am thinking of making a trip to Toronto sometime in October if the road crossings are open by that time. Will be in touch then to see if we can get together for a coffee or something. Stay safe. Harish
Thks for this video I have a 2009 acura mdx , and it's mistfiring. Changed coil packs and plugs still doing it. I will try this now. Thks slot you saved me slot of money.👍🍺
likely the valve timing according to Scotty ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-jPzN8fQpVYs.html - glad I just did mine (125k) ahead of any issues...
Man it’s GREAT to have you back Bro, seriously I would’ve never attempted any of the repairs I’ve done to my 2012 MDX without your videos and guidance. Also thank you for adding your knowledge to questions I’ve asked on MDX’ers forum, I am MDXTreme24. Your Awesome, B, and your videos especially this one are GREATLY APPRECIATED. 🤜🏾💥🤛🏾 much Love All the way from PA... Real quick, I’m getting a smell like a fresh book of Matches from my MDX, not eggs, no codes, I’ve only switched my oil to a full synthetic oil. Also no smoke 💨 weird,
Thank you for the feedback! You might have spilled a little oil somewhere and it’s burning. Should go away. If it doesn’t, Synthetic oil is thinner than the regular blend, so it can seep through some seals and burn. Check for leaks.
Thank you so much. This is very detailed such that no one would mess up. ❤ Would apply this great knowledge this weekend for my acura mdx 2006 valve adjustment.
Great video man! Glad to see some new stuff. I'll be doing an elite to sport swap on my 2012 soon and your videos have been a great source of knowledge!
@@AcuraAddicted thanks again for this tutorial and all the others. i have the same exact car so these are god send. honestly the best car step by step tutorials on the web
Do you remember if any of your valves were out of adjustment to speak of? Been a while, but since you’re responding to many questions I thought I’d ask. I bought my 2006 MDX used and the previous owner had all his maintenance done at the Acura dealer…(one reason I bought it because it was highway miles and the owner did all the fluid changes at the dealer when due). The MDX had 306,000 on it and still the original timing belt as the dealer had no record of putting it on, as they never suggested it to him and he’s not mechanically inclined to think of such things. So of course it has a new one in it now. But going that mileage to me was a testament to the quality of the part and engine (or that God was just watching over him:). Thought you’d be amazed so fyi. I’m sure the valves have never been touched. It runs great, and they asked about the valves, when I had the dealer do the timing belt, but seems like they weren’t going to give me a break on the labor, even though they had it already apart, so I passed on it, cause I was already putting out $1,000 and wasnt that excited about another 7-800 the same day. I’m not worried about the valves, but it is something I think about once in a while. I do expect this car to hit 400,000. Has 324,000 currently.
Yes, some needed adjustment at 180K miles. Loose ones are fine, but it's the tight ones you should be worried about, as when they start diggint into the seats, it's a point of no return.
@@AcuraAddicted ok thanks for that… I’ll look to get that done. Be a few weeks though and if the world hangs together that long. I’ll report back with how bad they are out. You talked me into it. ;)
Fabulous!!! I need really to do this! But I have low compression in all cylinders, trying not to have to replace the engine.. the head gasket most likely blown. And oil everywhere in the head cover 🤦♀️
Another great video, great diy, thank you. I Have owned a gen 2 MDX for many trouble free years @ over 240k miles now. (it’s on my you tube channel btw). Will be upgrading when the new generation arrives but will still keep my gen 2. @AutoFixEZ
Excellent video man best one on the web. Question throttle body if you disconnect it at sensor point do you need tondo relearn process or just disconnect it and don’t touch the butterfly. This is much same engine as my 2015 pilot J series engines ?
Nice to see you back after a long time! As much I enjoyed watching this detailed video, I kind of missed as to what are the symptoms/Issues when ww should think of doing all this. Lately I am smelling oil from exhaust when I start my car in my Garrage. You think I might have some oil leaks from any of these gaskets?
Thanks! You really want to check and adjust clearances at least every 100K miles with the TB service. While the usual symptoms are noisy valves, you might not have any, but you still want to do this. If the valves are too tight, they start to eat at the valve seats, which can lead to engine damage and in a lot of cases an irreversible process once it started. As for your oil smell, that's not good. It might be oil seeping from under the valve covers and onto cats. But it can be worse - oil getting into cylinders and burning there, which means you might have a piston ring problem. 2010-2013 models are prone to that issue. I would get someone knowledgeable have a look.
Great, well doe video! If only all other DIY vids were as well done and thorough as this. My only question is would these steps and measurements apply to a 2015 MDX Base model? to a 2012 Accord?
Hi John. Thanks! The steps should work for most Honda V6 engines with slight variations (so make sure you have access to reliable information for your specific vehicle such as this one which is taken directly from the OEM Service Manual). Same goes for clearances.
170K miles. Mixed driving. Note I make full stops at all stop signs and red lights befor turning right. Pennzoil Synthetic Ultra 5W-20 since 2014. Acura OEM dealer blend before that.
With time valves go out of adjustment on engines without hydro compensation (such as this one), meaning loose valves will become noisy and tight ones will eventually start eating into their seats (which is irresistible and inevitably leads to engine damage).
What is stuttering sound on RLX. it's mainly at idle but hear it bow when driving. So many questions and no mechanic can hear what I know is louder sound than normal..any recc
Здравствуй Богдан. Приехал к знакомому на mdx 2011, сказал что нужно зазоры подтянуть, на итоге проблема так и осталась непонятный треск в районе первого цилиндра,не могут разобраться механики не сталкивался такой проблемкой.
Приветствую! Что значит подтянуть? Только впускные клапаны обычно нужно подтягивать, выпускные обычно наоборот - ослаблять, ибо они обычно слишком тугие со временем. Специалисты точно надёжные? И что значит треск? Есть запись звука?
Cleaning the egr port: can you spray the hole with cleaner and scape with screwdriver?I'm hoping doing this job clears up the noise coming from the engine,I don't have a tripod or I would have filmed
Instead of a rubber puck, could you use a socket to install the spark plug tube seals? Also, if doing this job with a timing belt change, would you recommend doing one job first vs. another? Thanks for the great video!
You can, but you have to be careful as the rubber seals are very soft, make sure you don’t tear them when installing. As for the TB, this job has no common elements or parts that would reduce time doing them either, so you can do them separately or together, it makes no difference.
Will this be the same for a 2010 Acura TL SH-AWD I can’t seem to find a video illustrating how to do a valve adjustment on that year and model please thank you
The valve adjustment should be similar on Honda engines. However valve clearances may vary, so you need to make sure you follow proper valve clearances. They are usually indicated on a sticker of the hood.
You really want to check and adjust clearances at least every 100K miles with the TB service. While the usual symptoms are noisy valves, you might not have any, but you still want to do this. If the valves are too tight, they start to eat at the valve seats, which can lead to engine damage and in a lot of cases an irreversible process once it started.
when you set the crank to top dead center did you ever move it again? I guess what I'm asking is do you need to move the crank to a new spot every time you move to the next cylinder? Before I try this I just wanted to say that I have a miss on cylinder 5, I have replaced the Coil the plug, and the fuel inj- , Do you think that the valve Adj might fix my problem, I am getting spark and fuel to that cyl,
Yes, I did, as depicted in the video. I also provided the location of all cylinders, so it's clear which one to measure/adjust when the relevant cylinder TDC is aligned.
ok thank you, i did not know what else to try, I'm not going to hold you to it but after all of the other stuff that I've already tried do you think that this might be my problem?
@@williamtreat5893 Tight clearances can cause misfires, but I wouldn't rule out other reasons. If you already know you have a known good spark plug/coil and the injector works as expected, if your MDX is 2010-2013, the most likely cause of the misfire would be piston rings, it's a typical issue on 2010-2013 MDXs. You can also have a broken valve or more. Broken valves are easier to diagnoze than bad piston rings (you only need a $40 camera to inspect them through the spark plug hole).
I have a 2006 Acura MDX they did the valve adjustment on my car but I still hear a little bit of the lifters a little bit the codes went away I have no more codes but I still hear the lifters making a little bit of noise ticking noise is that normal
Without hearing what the noise is I woulnd't be able to tell, but you might have gotten the adjustment too late (when the valves start to dig into seats).
Thanks! While it’s impossible to convey what the feeling should be, but there should be a slight drag. To a point when it’s still sliding but dragging, not catching and getting suck. And definitely NOT not fitting - that means it’s way too tight and needs to be loosened. Most important thing to remember: loose are better than too tight. When they’re too tight, the valves will start digging into the seats. When they’re loose, they’re just noisy.
@@AcuraAddicted thank you for replying so quickly. I have a TSX and on cold acceleration I can hear rattling /clanking noise. I think the valves are loose and need adjusting.
Rattling or clunking may not be valves related. First thing to check is the rotted/loose cat shield(s). Also, if you’re going o adjust your valves, make sure you’re following the correct clearances for your TSX as it may be different for your engine.
@@AcuraAddicted It could also be piston rings. 2009-2014 Tsx had issues with oil burning. Do you typically go to the lower tolerance or in the middle. For example for my tsx intake side is 0.21-0.25mm. Do you set them to 0.21 or 0.25mm
Thanks! I get all my OEM parts from the dealership in Toronto. If you are in US, you can order them online from multiple sources at a great discount (online OEM parts are not available in Canada).
Hello Bogdan I own two MDXs one is an 08 with 135k miles runs very well & I just got another one an 07 with 232k miles & it’s pulling codes P300, P301, P302, P303, P304, P305 & P306 I’ve replaced all spark plugs & 2 ignition coils which didn’t look good but I’m still having misfire issues. I was told to get a valve adjustment done and I’m thinking of doing this next weekend do you know if this will help clear the misfires? The car is in good shape other than the previous owner used 87 octane gas ⛽️ instead of 91 octane as recommended. Your advise will be highly appreciated.
Hello, and thank you for sharing! Yes, tight vavles can cause misfires. Unfortunately, this likely means they have passed the point of no return if it's the valves, meaning they might have started to eat at the valve seats. In any case I would try measuring and adjusting first and see if that resolves the issue.
Thank you. Remarkable detail ! Anyone here attempt same on an 05’ mdx? Any overt difference in process besides listed parts numbers and valve adjust specs?
@acuraaddicted how are you today ? I have a question maybe you can help me like everytime had you ever cleaned the intake valve in your MDX and the fuel injectors ? And if yes what’s you use to do it? Thank you
Exhaust valves are on the outside of the engine (so firewall side for the rear head and radiator side for the front head). Intake valves are on the inside of the engine (both close to each other divided by the middle of the engine). You do not need to keep track of exhaust VS intake. They are not mixed and will always be uniform: one side of each head are exhaust, the other side of each head are intake. It's pretty clear from the video and camera multiple angles.
@@AcuraAddicted Will it be necessary to replace the emissions sensor that is in the air filter or catalytic converter or can the sensor be cleaned with some liquid?
Hi Bogdan, My 2008 MDX has a problem with a long start when the engine worm. It means the first start in the day very ok. But from the second, sometimes it has a long started with time longer 2 times normal. Do you have any advice for me?
Hello! I haven't had this issue, but it can be a number of reasons. Could be fuel delivery system, battery or ground connections, etc. Worth seeing a mechanic and diagnosing first.
I would have it done ASAP. Depending on severity you might drive it, but after the point of no return (when the valves start digging into valve seats) it will be quite an expensive repair, basically replacing the entire head (or both). Labour alone would be astronomical.
Приветствую! А есть ли объяснение тому, что масло на внутренностях задней головы выглядит светлее чем на передней. Спереди образуется больше нагара? Или задняя омывается лучше.
@@AcuraAddicted на моем движке такая-же картина. На СТО сказаи, что возможно заднюю голову снимали и ремонтировали. Я насторожился. А после вашего видео понял, что это может быть нормальное состояние.
question is when do you need to adjust the valves ? it's hard to tell from the noise maybe as it's gradual when you own the car ?? or is the noise from too loose intake, but too tight outtake is what causes damage so too late if you can hear it ? 2007 MDX with 125k Update: this spells it out more what to look for ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-DBa1eerFtxs.html
Acura says to adjust when they become noisy. Rule of thumb is when they are noisy it's generally already too late, but not always. It's best to measure the clearances every 105K miles along with the TB to make sure they are within specs at least. In my experience my first measurement in 2014 at 105K miles was within specs. It's only the second time in 2020 when I had to adjust some.
@@AcuraAddicted wonder why you checked again after 45k (wasn't TB again) - to make this video ? did you loosen anything at 105k that might have cause to be out of spec at 150k ? the bummer is that I got half way through this when cleaning the intake/PCV/EGR pipe but didn't do the valves not many miles ago... annoying to have to go back :)
Yes, it was TB again in 2020 for me, but that’s not why I did the check. I did the check because the car was at a much higher mileage. Better safe than sorry.
@acuraaddicted hi bodan how are you ? Sorry for ask you. How may miles is your MDX giving city and hway because my is giving very poor gas miles even combined is only giving 11 miles per gas gallons . I did a full tune up already fews months ago but I think my injectors are not working properly or this is normal in the MDX ? Thank you
Hi Hansell, I'm good, thank you for asking! 11 MPG combined driving seems extremely bad compared to my 17.5 MPG combined. On highway I typically get 23-24 MPGs. I drive relatively conservatively, though, and the car is in good shape, of course. I don't know what your driving habit and condition looks like. May be it's constant stop and go traffic? What does a full tune up constitute? I've never done that.
@acuraaddited thanks for your response like I said before the full time up I performed was all oil changed , pcv valve, all new brakes pads and rotors , air filter and cabin filter , new spark plugs, when I say all the oil mean transmission fluid , engine oil , transfer case fluid and differential fluid all has been changed and I always put premium gas in tank and sometime I also added some additives in the gas tank. I think is because I live in New York City and I don’t drive a long way a lot? The car has no issues except that the gas consumption is very high I will check the fuel injectors to see if they are working properly and I also want to do the intake valve cleaner may be I get some more miles per gallons. If you have any other suggestions i will be very graceful.
@@hanselldisla4643 Have you used OEM fluids for the transmission and rear differential? Did you use original spark plugs? Also, do not put any additives in the gas tank - premium gas has all additives that a car needs already. And if you are using premium gas, there shouldn't be any injector issues. I never had any. It could be just the driving. Is there a lot of stop and go traffic on your day to day driving?
Hi yes I always use oem parts and fluids on my car but I think is the computer module that’s reading the miles bad. I make a calculation from the date I filled the gas tank it was on the 10 of this months and I still have gas on my tank even tho I make a trip of 85 miles one way is equal 170 miles and when I got home I still have half tank and the miles marker was marking 129 miles on the left have tank. So if you make the sum. The car is marking 10.8 per miles and the tank fill with 18 gallons is equal 194.4 and I make a trip with full tank and only used half tank. It looks like something is wrong with the miles marker of computer module. Iam getting a average of 16.4 miles per gallon. Thank you for your help like always you the best have a great day .
