What exactly is a valve adjustment?

Question

I have a 1981 280zx with a little over 100,000 miles. Motor started making a bunch of noise so i took it in and they said that i needed a valve adjustment, cost 300.00. What exactly is a valve adjustment? what do they do when they do a valve adjustment? what's all involved? is 300.00 fair? any info will help greatly. thank you.

Answer 1

I don't think a valve lash adjustment is going to fix your noise! Valve lash noises just don't start all of the sudden as you suggested, they make noise and just gradually get louder. I am going to say you have a bad or restricted lifter (the L-28E engine in your 280ZX has hydraulic lifters), bad camshaft or follower (rocker arm)

Answer 2

its when they adjust the play between your lifters and the vale its called valve lash ajustment hope this works for you. oh you have high miles on car might get new lifters put in while your at it oh by the way not a bad idea to see how much a valve job will cost you at a machine shop that specializes in that kind of work

Answer 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLUtNvXoBGc&feature=list_related&playnext=1&list=SPD226030F9D87B00B