Periodic Maintenance
Valve Clearance Inspection
In this manual: Periodic Maintenance
~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.

- 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.)

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]

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]

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]

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.
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