Can cams wear from loose valves?

[nyk438]

I know this is a newb question but can they?


Valves on my truck were loose for years, I got the valves adjusted recently and I was told that there was sludge in the engine and my cam had worn from the valves being loose.



In other words the cam can wear from loose valves, right?

 

[nyk438]

Is this too stupid of a question?

 

[cruiserdan]

Not necessarily, but I am too stupid to be able to answer it, 'cuz I have no idea......

 

[nyk438]

Not necessarily, but I am too stupid to be able to answer it, 'cuz I have no idea......

Thats not what I meant. I meant the question was too dumb on my part that it didnt' deserve a response. Didn't mean to offend...sorry.

 

[cruiserdan]

I was not at all offended. I answered your question as best I could.


I could not answer your first question as I am clueless as I already mentioned.....


I could answer your second question as I did have an opinion that I thought the question its self was not dumb, just the people you were asking.....

 

[cary]

Valves on my truck were loose for years, I got the valves adjusted recently and I was told that there was sludge in the engine and my cam had worn from the valves being loose.


In other words the cam can wear from loose valves, right?

The cams did not wear from the valves being loose. They wore from the same thing that caused the sludge which was poor maintence. Oil which is used beyond its useful life will cause accelerated engine wear, especially in areas that are under heavy loads like cams and bearings. You truck has not had regular oil changes, and given that, it is also likely it has not had other regular maintence including coolant changes, tranny fluid changes, diff and transfer case fluid changes, tune ups, birfield repack, etc.

If you recently aquired the truck and have not already, I would suggest that you perform a full tuneup and change all fluids in the truck. I would also check the birfields for leakage/contamination and schedule to repack them as needed. You can do a search for what fluids to use and about the birfield and find enough information for hours of reading.

Cary

 

[cruiserdan]

Now that answer is logical, I like that.....

 

[nyk438]

The cams did not wear from the valves being loose. They wore from the same thing that caused the sludge which was poor maintence. Oil which is used beyond its useful life will cause accelerated engine wear, especially in areas that are under heavy loads like cams and bearings. You truck has not had regular oil changes, and given that, it is also likely it has not had other regular maintence including coolant changes, tranny fluid changes, diff and transfer case fluid changes, tune ups, birfield repack, etc.

If you recently aquired the truck and have not already, I would suggest that you perform a full tuneup and change all fluids in the truck. I would also check the birfields for leakage/contamination and schedule to repack them as needed. You can do a search for what fluids to use and about the birfield and find enough information for hours of reading.

Cary

I'll have to ask my dad about the maintence history. So far I've had the truck and have done routine oil changes, I will have the fluids changed. I've had the front axle rebuilt and all axle seals and inner axle seals changed. I'm pretty sure my father had routine maintence done but I'll have to ask.

 

[honda256]

if the cam was worn it would be throught the hardened surface and the things would loosen up again and also if there is measurable damage to any of these componants the clearance would be way off
the wear you get is a little from the shim that is used for adjustment or the valve face
this is the way bike have been done for the last 25 years and you just don't see things happening with this type of arrangment .
all valve settups like this require adustment at some time or another.
if it where to get to loose it would beat down the stem of the valve and if to tight it would burn the valve and you will notice noise or the motor not running right
dave

 

[nyk438]

So the valves being loose does not wear the cam that much?

 

[concretejungle]

So the valves being loose does not wear the cam that much?

yes. no...........sorry, i have no frickin' idea.....just post padding!

 

[cary]

if the cam was worn it would be throught the hardened surface and the things would loosen up again and also if there is measurable damage to any of these componants the clearance would be way off
the wear you get is a little from the shim that is used for adjustment or the valve face
this is the way bike have been done for the last 25 years and you just don't see things happening with this type of arrangment .
all valve settups like this require adustment at some time or another.
if it where to get to loose it would beat down the stem of the valve and if to tight it would burn the valve and you will notice noise or the motor not running right
dave

Note that he as a 3fe motor so it uses the old style tappet adjuster valves.

The answer, AGAIN, is that loose valves to not cause excessive cam wear. The only potential problem from overly loose valves is that which was noted by honda 256, potential mushrooming of the valve stems. This is highly unlikely though.

Causes of excessive cam wear are 1) excessive valvespring pressure (not an issue in a stock vehicle), 2) improper harding of the cam when reground, or 3) lack of lubercation. The fact you have sludge in the engine points directly to #3.

 

[nyk438]

Note that he as a 3fe motor so it uses the old style tappet adjuster valves.

The answer, AGAIN, is that loose valves to not cause excessive cam wear. The only potential problem from overly loose valves is that which was noted by honda 256, potential mushrooming of the valve stems. This is highly unlikely though.

Causes of excessive cam wear are 1) excessive valvespring pressure (not an issue in a stock vehicle), 2) improper harding of the cam when reground, or 3) lack of lubercation. The fact you have sludge in the engine points directly to #3.

The shop said they didn't clean the sludge out becuase some of the remains would still be in the engine and would contaminate the oil or something? How would I remedy this problem?

 

[PHAEDRUS]

nyk,
when I got my 92 I changed the oil and went in to reset the valves. had the same sludge on the valve stems. I cleaned them off as best I could reset the valves in tolerance and drove on. I have redone the valves twice since then and with regular oil changes I have not seen a repeat of the sludge in the train. I BELEIVE ( not know) that the new oil will absorb most of the material and break it down to be carried away when you change the oil. Might want to think about bumping the oil change interval to 2500 or so for a time or two then crack the valve cover and see how it looks. You stated before that someone told you about the sludge so I assume that you let a tech do this for you. learn how to do this as it is easy.
hardest part is removing hte air cleaner assy in order to remove the cover. once thats out of the way. unbolt the hard pipe for the defrost return and slide it over now you can wiggle the valve cover off.
If you need further help when you get there shout out.
oh and buy a fricking fsm it gaurenteed its cheaper than what you just paid to have someone mislead you.

back to your original question NO. the cams will not wear down from the valves being out of spec. this is a solid pushrod motor. its kind of hard to really screw it up.
Dave

 

[honda256]

i screwed up, didn't see that it was a91 and they are a pushrod motor , but as to the original ? phaedrus is right, the cam will not wear down

SORRY for the mistake on year and long talk about the newer style engine

dave

 

[nyk438]

So I basically get the oil changed more regularly and that will help get rid of the sludge. The mechanics that I had looked at it said the engine was very very dirty. They advised me not to flush out the engine due to carbon or something and it would screw up bah I never understand what the fawk they say. He said it as I was on my way out so I didn't get all of it.

 

[cruiserdan]

Often a badly sludged engine with worn parts wil require an overhaul to make it right.

 

[nyk438]

Often a badly sludged engine with worn parts wil require an overhaul to make it right.

Fawk. By overhaul I assume rebuilding of the engine? Which means too much money for labor.

 

[PHAEDRUS]

Nyk,

Dont freak out jsut yet. unless you have bearing or valve damage you are fine. let sleeping dogs lie and leave it be. I bought my truck wiht 142k and promptly redid mine. lots of goo in there. now 50k later its still running fine.

If you are really concerned about this check into buying a used 3FE and rebuilding it yourself. You can take your time and do it any way you want. No hurries and you can take your time doing it. I have thought about doing this myself.
Dave

 

[nyk438]

Nyk,

Dont freak out jsut yet. unless you have bearing or valve damage you are fine. let sleeping dogs lie and leave it be. I bought my truck wiht 142k and promptly redid mine. lots of goo in there. now 50k later its still running fine.

If you are really concerned about this check into buying a used 3FE and rebuilding it yourself. You can take your time and do it any way you want. No hurries and you can take your time doing it. I have thought about doing this myself.
Dave

Did you clean out the sludge when you did the valves?