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Valve Clearance Adjustment: Procedure

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Jaguar XKR and 2002 Jaguar XK8. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
  1. Open the engine compartment and fit paintwork protection sheets. Open to the service position.
  2. Carefully remove both engine covers, taking care not to damage the plastic fixings or the rubber inserts.
  3. Disconnect the battery ground cable.
  4. Remove the cam cover from the 'A' bank and the 'B' bank. Refer to VALVE COVER LH  and VALVE COVER RH .
  5. Check, and note the valve clearances, as described earlier.
  6. Use a rag to wipe up as much oil as possible from the tappet wells.
  7. Valve adjustment involves considerable repetition. A SUMMARY OF THE PROCEDURE follows:
    1. Fit the adjusting tool base plate to one cylinder head.
    2. Rotate the crankshaft to position four valves ready for adjustment.
    3. Use the attachment part of the special tool to adjust two valve clearances. Transfer the attachment and adjust the other two valve clearances.
    4. Remove the attachment part from the adjusting tool base plate.
    5. Repeat steps 2 to 4 three more times until all sixteen valves on the first cylinder head have been adjusted.
    6. Repeat steps 1 to 5 for the other cylinder head.
    7. Remove all equipment and reassemble the engine.
  8. The following instructions describe the PROCEDURE FOR ADJUSTING THE VALVE CLEARANCES.
  9. Fit the base plate of the tappet adjusting tool 303 - 540 to one of the heads; use the bolts which are supplied with the tool.
    • It should be fitted along the head, between the two camshafts, and bolted to the tapped holes which normally secure the cam cover.
    Fig 1: Installing Tappet Adjusting Tool Base Plate
    G03156830Courtesy of JAGUAR CARS, INC.
  10. Rotate the crankshaft so that there are four valves which are 'off the cam' (cam lobes uppermost), so that their clearance may be measured.
    11. CAUTION: Do not rotate the crankshaft while the attachment is fitted to the base plate.
    Fig 2: Installing Tappet Adjusting Tool To Base Plate
    G03156831Courtesy of JAGUAR CARS, INC.
  11. Fit the attachment of 303 - 540 to the base plate.
    1. Set the fingers of the attachment to the highest position (unscrew the knurled bolts). (1)
    2. Fit the attachment to the base plate, adjacent to the first two valves to be adjusted. (2)
    3. Tighten the screws to secure the attachment to the base plate. (3)
  12. Position the fingers on to the outer edges of the tappet. It is essential that the recessed step on each finger, locates on the edge of the tappet as indicated. The use of a mirror will help, as viewing access is restricted.
    Fig 3: Identifying Proper Tappet Adjustment Tool Attachment Position
    G03156832Courtesy of JAGUAR CARS, INC.
  13. Tighten the knurled bolts to compress the valve springs, until a firm resistance is felt.
    Fig 4: Tightening Knurled Bolts
    G03156833Courtesy of JAGUAR CARS, INC.
    14. WARNING: THE FOLLOWING OPERATIONS REQUIRE THE USE OF COMPRESSED AIR - ALWAYS WEAR SUITABLE EYE PROTECTION.
    Fig 5: Removing Shims Using Fan Nozzle
    G00277155Courtesy of JAGUAR CARS, INC.
  14. Remove, clean and measure the shims.
    1. Surround the immediate working area with clean rag to contain any loose objects and shims displaced by the compressed air.
    2. Use 303 - 590 Air Gun (with a fan nozzle) aimed at the edge of the shim to lift it from the tappet. Remove the shim from each tappet, noting the position of each.
  15. Clean and measure the thickness of each shim.
  16. Assess the increase or decrease required in shim thickness to produce the correct valve clearance.
  17. Select two shims of the correct size, lubricate each and fit each to the respective tappet (as calculated in the previous step). Shims must be fitted with the size marking facing the tappet NOT the cam.
  18. Loosen the knurled screws on 303 - 540 attachment to allow the valve springs to return to their normal position.
    Fig 6: Loosening Knurled Screws
    G03156835Courtesy of JAGUAR CARS, INC.
  19. Check the valve clearance of the two valves. If the clearance is correct, remove the attachment from the base plate. Transfer the attachment to the other two valves which are in position to be adjusted.
  20. Repeat the adjustment procedure, as described in the Summary.
  21. Refit the cam covers and associated components. Refer to VALVE COVER LH  and VALVE COVER RH .
  22. Refit the engine covers.
  23. Check the engine oil level; rectify as necessary.
  24. Move the engine compartment cover from the service position and connect the gas struts.
  25. Remove the paint protection sheets and close the cover.
  26. Connect the battery and fit the battery cover.
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