Periodic Maintenance

Valve Clearance Inspection

~1min read

NOTE

Valve clearance must be checked and adjusted when the engine is cold (at room temperature).

  • Remove: Crankshaft Sensor Cover (see Crankshaft Sensor Removal in the Electrical System chapter) Cylinder Head Cover (see Cylinder Head Cover Removal in the Engine Top End chapter)
  • Turn the crankshaft, align the #1, 4 mark on the timing rotor with the crankcase timing mark.
TDC Mark [A] for #1, 4 Pistons Timing Mark [B] (Crankcase Halves Mating Surface)
Valve Clearance Inspection

  • Using a thickness gauge [A], measure the valve clearance between the cam and the valve lifter.

Valve Clearance

Standard: Exhaust 0.17 0.22 mm (0.0067
0.0087 in.)


Intake 0.15 0.22 mm (0.0059
0.0087 in.)


Valve Clearance Inspection

NOTE

Thickness gauge is horizontally inserted on the valve lifter.

Appropriateness [A] Inadequacy [B] Thickness Gauge [C] Horizontally Inserts [D] Cam [E] Valve Lifter [F] Hits the Valve Lifter Ahead [G]

Valve Clearance Inspection

When positioning #1 piston TDC at the end of the compression stroke:

Intake Valve Clearance of #1 and #3 Cylinders Exhaust Valve Clearance of #1 and #2 Cylinders Measuring Valve [A]

Valve Clearance Inspection

When positioning #4 piston TDC at the end of the compression stroke:

Intake Valve Clearance of #2 and #4 Cylinders Exhaust Valve Clearance of #3 and #4 Cylinders Measuring Valve [A]

Valve Clearance Inspection

If the valve clearance is not within the specified range, first record the clearance, and then adjust it.

Test yourself

A quick Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.