[Clone]

Check your valves folks

Many have been asking how to check the valves. I made a guide today to help with this task. I have already taken the plastics off here.

First, take the rubber cap off of the fuel valve. Take a flat blade screwdriver and turn the valve clockwise until it stops which will be closed. Then move the clamp back so you can get the fuel hose to come off. There will be quite a bit of fuel to run out here so I get something to catch the fuel.

Take this return line off.

Take the low fuel sensor connection off.

Unhook this FI connection. To do so, you have to squeeze the grey plastic tabs to let the hose come undone. Kinda tricky the first time. Just be gentle with them so you don't break them.

Take off the two bolts holding the tank down and slide the tank out some. Then get to this other FI connection line and take it off.

Remove the tank. The fuel valve assembly will come with it and that's what you want. Leave it all connected. You will see this after you remove the tank. Take this black heat cover off and it will expose the cam cover.

Now remove the hoses from the cam cover and take the cam cover off. Now take out your two inspection cover plugs on the stator cover(I have my stator cover off doing other things, but it is definately not needed). Then set the motor to TDC lining up with the marks on the flywheel. Only turn the motor CCW! The marks should line up on the cams with one mark pointing up and another mark even with the head deck. If the cam marking aren't like I described, you are on the wrong stroke and need to turn the motor over more.

Here is a pic of the cams how they should be.

And now I'm checking the clearance on the cams. Use a feeler gauge for this job. Mine did not need adjustment so I didn't pull the cams out.

Valve Clearances
Intake: 0.10-0.20mm (0.0039-0.0079in)
Exhaust: 0.20-0.30mm (0.0079-0.0118in)

 

[usedtobeadmin]

Moving this to the tech/review section, but you guys can still discuss here. Simply click reply and it will forward to the moved thread.

thanks clone!

 

[MXQuadRacer]

Absolutely georgous...another A+ thread.

 

[usedtobeadmin]

Sent off your stickers earlier today,

thanks for all the reviews/warnings/etc.!

 

[heloswmr]

This site rocks! I was just thinking that I needed to check my valves. Thanks!

 

[crazy canuck]

when and how often do you need to chesk these bad boys?????thanks

 

[Clone]

Sent off your stickers earlier today
[/b]

Got them, Thank you!

when and how often do you need to chesk these bad boys?????thanks
[/b]

There is a maintenance schedule in your operators manual, but it will really depend on how and where you ride your quad. If you ride it revved up a lot in dusty conditions, I would check them pretty regular. I've heard that TI valves will require more maintenance.

 

[Jason]

Great Thread, but how do you make adjustments. Also, What does CCW stand for.

 

[ltracer]

C=COUNTER C=CLOCK W=WISE

 

[Wally]

really good post if you want to get into all that crap. Im just taking mine to a dealer and getting them to check it all over.

 

[naztyn8]

if the valves need adjusting after checking the clearance, what is the procedure?

 

[Jason]

really good post if you want to get into all that crap. Im just taking mine to a dealer and getting them to check it all over.
[/b]

It does seem a little complicated, but if a could get my hands on a service manual I would give it a shot.
I would rather try myself than get rapped by the dealership for shop hours. B)

 

[work2play]

I checked my valves last weekend following Clone's post. It's not complicated and a service manual will not give you anymore information than Clone provided. In fact, Clone should rewrite the service manual.

Mine were within specs, but if you have to adjust the valves, you will need to do the following additional steps:

1) Remove the timing chain tensioner;
2) Remove the cam cover for the cam that is out of adjustment;
3) Slip the chain off the cam and remove the cam;
4) Remove the tappet covering the valve shim;
5) Exchange with the appropriate sized shim;
6) Reinstall tappet and cam in the same alignment (making sure you are still at TDC);
7) Torque cam cover bolts to 7 ft lbs.;
8) Reinstall the tensioner;

My question is are the shims the same size as the Z400?

 

[Clone]

My question is are the shims the same size as the Z400?
[/b]

Thanks for the props bro! Much appreciated as it is not fun to stop, take pics and oil the camera up

I don't know for a fact, but I would bet my left nut that the r450 uses the same shims as the z400(9.48mm)

Also, I will do this again and see if I need adjustment now and continue/finish the changing out shims part of the thread with pictures.

EDIT: Actually it is good to hear that I was in line with the manual as I didn't have a way to get my hands on one when I did this........ I WAS WINGING IT!

 

[SandJunkie]

Just finished buring it off...it will be there SOON!

 

[Clone]

Just finished buring it off...it will be there SOON!
[/b]

Oh good, I'll hold on to your "back-up" file for you!

 

[trukinjp13]

I just checked my valves today. I've had my quad since April, and the valves were at there lowest spec so I got alot of room before they need adjusted.

 

[Zookie183]

Thanks for the props bro! Much appreciated as it is not fun to stop, take pics and oil the camera up

I don't know for a fact, but I would bet my left nut that the r450 uses the same shims as the z400(9.48mm)

Also, I will do this again and see if I need adjustment now and continue/finish the changing out shims part of the thread with pictures.

EDIT: Actually it is good to hear that I was in line with the manual as I didn't have a way to get my hands on one when I did this........ I WAS WINGING IT!
[/b]

Clone great post! Any updates since July? If you have checked them since then did you notice any change? Just curious before I tear her down! Thanks for the awesome pics too!

 

[kidsdad0101]

Posting here for an FYI. Hotcam intake is a 240 shim @ .008 gapper.

 

[NormalZ]

What kind of optimum clearance did they spec for that intake cam (doesn't include a tolerance)? Did it come with the clearance card they're famous for? Curious to see how they designed it.