Adjusting the valve clearance
Tools
Tool RSE part No.
Set of standard tools, particularly
Ring wrench 17 mm
Screwdriver for slotted screws, tip width 10mm
Feeler Gauge 0,4 and 0,6 mm 1X000379
Spark plug socket wrench 1X000059
Torque wrench 6-50 Nm 1X001971
Ratchet insert 3/8” drive 1X003155
Adaptor 3/8” x 1/2” driven 1X002320
27 mm hexagon socket 3/4” drive 1X002292
Tool holder 14x18 575 mm 1X003198
Ratchet insert 3/4” drive 1X003156
The tools are also commercially available. RSE part numbers are given for reference
Ersteller: FSC Erstellung: 19.07.2021 Revision: REV 1
This copyrighted document is the property of R SCHMITT ENERTEC and is disclosed in confidence.
Name: MA-0200-Adjustment of valve clearance-EN-19072021-FSC-REV1 Page 1/7
Test and setting values
Valve clearance
cnlet 0,4 mm
Outlet 0,6 mm
Tightening torque
Valve cover on cylinder head 22 Nm
Spark plug 35 Nm
Locknut for valve setting screw 50 Nm
General Information
cnlet and outlet valves will only form a seal in closed position when the specified clearance between the
rocker arm and the valve bridge is correctly adjusted.
cf the valve clearance is too small the valves may not seal the combustion room to the inlet- and/or outlet
channels. This results in reduced performance because of compression loss. The valve seat and valve disc
may burn due to overheating. There is also a danger of an engine firing to flash in the exhaust manifold or
the inlet receiver.
cf the valve clearance is too large, the valves open later and close earlier. This may cause reduced
performance. Moreover, it will cause premature wear, since the valves will not close smoothly but with a
high impact speed.
Exact setting and observation of the valve clearance prolongs the life and increases the operational
reliability of the engine.
Over the operational life of the engine, the valves and valve seats have normal wear. This results in a
reduction of valve clearance and is the reason that the adjustment of the clearance has to be done in the
specified interval.
cnterval:
The valve clearance must be checked and adjusted every 2000 operating hours. After a minor- or in-
frame overhaul, the clearance shall be checked after the first 10- 20 operating hours.
Preparation
Shut off the engine and ensure that unauthorized persons cannot start the engine. Let the engine cool
down for ca. 15 minutes.
Disconnect spark plug cable and thermocouple cable. Remove the valve covers. The rubber gaskets of the
valve cover (6E001762) can be re-used at reassembly afterwards. The spark plug sealing rings (6D000034)
shall be renewed.
Ersteller: FSC Erstellung: 19.07.2021 Revision: REV 1
Name: MA-0200-Adjustment of valve clearance-EN-19072021-FSC-REV1 Page 2/7
To make adjustment of valve clearance, the crankshaft must be in a
position where the valves of the respective cylinder are closed.
To turn the engine, use a 27 mm socket wrench with ratchet on the
non-drive end. Turn clockwise, when viewed on the non-drive end.
aution Make sure that before the engine is re-started, the wrench cs removed
Cylinder numbering
cn the following description the cylinder numbering refers to the diagram below
Vibration
damper/
Non-drive end
4 5 7 1 1 1 M06 engine
Bank 2
Bank 1
Right
Left
5 6 8 2 2 2 M08 engine
6 7 9 3 3 3 M12 engine
8 10 4 4
11 5
12 6
Flywheel/
drive end
Generator
Ersteller: FSC Erstellung: 19.07.2021 Revision: REV 1
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Adjusting Sequence
General description of valve position in relation to crank position
For a complete cycle, the 4-stroke engine needs two revolutions. cn two revolutions, the piston is twice in
the top dead center. Once in ignition TDC and once in overlap TDC. At ignition TDC, both valves are closed
and the rocker arms are not loaded. The overlap position can be determined by watching the rocker arm
movement. Just some degrees before the overlap TDC position, the inlet valve will open and some
degrees after, the exhaust valve will close. The overlap TDC is just between those two points over a range
of about 10° crank angle. Best is while slowly turning the engine, watch the exhaust valves close and
immediately stop turning when the inlet valves open.
There are two methods for setting the right position of the crankshaft to have the valves of the cylinder
to be adjusted closed.
cn method 1 only one complete revolution is needed, in method 2 the engine has to be turned by two
revolutions.
Method 1 to determine crank position for adjustment:
Turn the engine to Top Dead Center (TDC) of cylinder 1. Use the
marking on the vibration damper to find the position. TDC may be
marked with OT (Oberer Totpunkt is German for Top dead Center).
Verify if it is ignition TDC or overlap TDC.
cn the TDC position of cylinder 1, it is known which valves on other
cylinders of the engine are closed and can be adjusted.
By positioning the crankshaft once in cgnition TDC and once in
overlap TDC of cylinder 1, all valves can be adjusted.
With one rotations of the engine all cylinders can be adjusted.
With cylinder 1 in cgnition TDC following valves are closed and can be adjusted
cnlet valves Exhaust valves
Engine
on cylinder on cylinder
M06 1, 3, 6 1, 2, 4
M08 1, 3, 4, 8 1, 2, 5, 7
M12 1, 2, 4, 7, 9, 11 1, 3, 5, 8, 9, 12
With cylinder 1 in Overlap TDC following valves are closed and can be adjusted
cnlet valves Exhaust valves
Engine
on cylinder on cylinder
M06 2, 4, 5 3, 5, 6
M08 2, 5, 6, 7 3, 4, 6, 8
M12 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11
Ersteller: FSC Erstellung: 19.07.2021 Revision: REV 1
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Method 2 to determine crank position for adjustment:
Turn the engine into a position where cylinders 1 is in overlap TDC.
When one cylinder is in overlap TDC always another cylinder is in ignition TDC. cn the below tables the
correspondence is shown for the different engines.
The valve clearance can be checked and/or adjusted only on ignition TDC not on overlap TDC.
cn the next step turn the engine by the listed crank angle, watch the next cylinder to overlap and adjust
the corresponding cylinder in ignition TDC.
After all steps are done, the engine has made two complete revolutions.
M06 engine
→ 120° → 120° → 120°
Engine rotation
→ 120° → 120° → 120°
Overlap TDC 1 4 2 5 3 6
cgnition TDC 5 3 6 1 4 2
Example: When cylinder 1 is in overlap TDC, cylinder 5 is in ignition TDC, where the valve clearance can be
adjusted. For the next step the engine has to be turned by 120°, so that cylinder 4 reaches overlap TDC
and cylinder 3 can be adjusted. Then turn 120° to have cylinder 2 in overlap TDC and cylinder 6 in cgnition
TDC for adjustment. And so on…
M08 engine
Engine → 90° → 90° → 90° → 90°
rotation → 90° → 90° → 90° →90°
Overlap TDC 1 5 7 2 6 3 4 8
cgnition TDC 6 3 4 8 1 5 7 2
Example: When cylinder 1 is in overlap TDC, cylinder 6 is in ignition TDC, where the valve clearance can be
adjusted. For the next step the engine has to be turned by 90°, so that cylinder 5 reaches overlap TDC and
cylinder 3 can be adjusted. And so on…
M12 engine
Engine → 90° → 90° → 90° → 90° → 90° → 90°
rotation → 30° → 30° → 30° → 30° → 30° →30°
Overlap TDC 1 12 5 8 3 10 6 7 2 11 4 9
cgnition TDC 6 7 2 11 4 9 1 12 5 8 2 10
Example: When cylinder 1 is in overlap TDC, cylinder 6 is in ignition TDC, where the valve clearance can be
adjusted. For the next step the engine has to be turned by 90°, so that cylinder 12 reaches overlap TDC
and cylinder 7 can be adjusted. Then turn 30° to have cylinder 5 in overlap TDC and cylinder 2 in cgnition
TDC for adjustment. And so on…
Ersteller: FSC Erstellung: 19.07.2021 Revision: REV 1
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Adjusting the valve clearance
• Push a feeler gauge between the rocker arm and the valve bridge.
o The valve clearance must be set that, the feeler gauge must be insertable and removable
with little resistance. cf the feeler gauge can only be inserted with much force or with the
inserted feeler gauge, the rocker arm still has play, the clearance must be adjusted.
• Loosen the locknut
• Push the feeler gauge between the rocker arm and the valve bridge
• The valve play then is adjusted using the adjusting screw
• Tighten the locknut, using a suitable ring spanner while at the same time holding the adjusting
screw with a screwdriver.
• Check again the valve play, using the feeler gauge. Re adjust if incorrect. The valve play may have
been changed while you were tightening the lock nut.
Adjusting screw
Arm
Locknut
Rocker Arm
Valve bridge
Arm
Feeler gauge between
rocker arm and valve
bridge on inlet valves
Feeler gauge between
rocker arm and valve
bridge on outlet valves
Ersteller: FSC Erstellung: 19.07.2021 Revision: REV 1
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Reassembly of the engine
• Re-assemble the valve covers. The rubber gasket (6E001762) may be re-used in most cases.
• Re-assemble the spark plugs, always using a new sealing ring (6D000034)
• Reconnect the spark plug cables and the thermocouple cables
• Make sure that the tool for engine turning is removed before the engine is started again.
Ersteller: FSC Erstellung: 19.07.2021 Revision: REV 1
Name: MA-0200-Adjustment of valve clearance-EN-19072021-FSC-REV1 Page 7/7
