Have any of you found the valves on your 3.4L V6 to be out of spec on the tight side (too tight)? I've got 160k on mine and I'm going to replace the valve cover gaskets, and I'm debating on planning the time to check/adjust the valves while I'm in there, but I'm going to skip it if no one else has found theirs to be too tight.

 

Yes. At least check the clearances while you're in there. I've adjusted many 3.4 valves. Usually just a couple of the exhaust valves need adjusting

 

Are they most typically too tight I assume?

 

The exhaust side usually has a tendency to be tight. The valve wears into the seat slightly due to the heat that the exhaust side sees. This backs the stem out slightly closing the adjustment up making it tighter.

I would definitely check them while your in there. When I did my v/c gaskets and supercharger at 176k I checked mine. My exhausts were at the tight end of spec, so I just filed it into the, "do it next time you have the covers of or get a chance" corner of my mind.

 

Thanks guys, I'll plan the time to check and adjust. Has anyone tried thinning the shims using fine sand paper on a flat surface? The goal is to avoid the several day wait for the dealer to order them.

Truthfully I'm amazed these things go as long as they do without adjustments, the dirt bikes I'm used to working on tighten up a lot faster!

 

Thats not a very precise method. Some dealers stock an assortment of shims. And at least where I'm at, special order parts show up the next day.

 

Have not touched mine and I've the truck since new. I change the oil religiously and keep up with the maintenance. The engine still sounds as nice as it did in 2001 and now has 276,400 miles on it.


Andreas