Westerbeake 8.0 diesel valve adjust

[ZZ13]

Getting ready to adjust valves on my diesel generator. It's 7 years old with about 1000 hours on it. I've never adjusted valves on anything before. Here's the formula from the manual. Any pointers from any of you experts before I start?

One question, I really don't want to mess with torquing head bolts as it recommends. Can I skip that part?

 

[techmitch]

I wouldn't skip the head bolt torque part of the job. It is important. If you don't have a torque wrench a cheap one from HF would be better than not doing it. Most parts stores have them as loaners or rentals and it is easy to do and should be done prior to valve adjustment.

 

[fwebster]

I agree.

Re-torquing the head boats is important or Westerbeke wouldn't have added it to the 8.0BTD recommended 500 hour service. The reason is that small displacement diesel engines are particularly subject to siphoning(sucking!) coolant into the cylinders as the engine cools, particularly if the head bolts are not torqued properly. Re-torque the head bolts and this is one more potential 5-figure gun all of us with older boats don't have pointing at you.

 

[ZZ13]

I agree.

Re-torquing the head boats is important or Westerbeke wouldn't have added it to the 8.0BTD recommended 500 hour service. The reason is that small displacement diesel engines are particularly subject to siphoning(sucking!) coolant into the cylinders as the engine cools, particularly if the head bolts are not torqued properly. Re-torque the head bolts and this is one more potential 5-figure gun all of us with older boats don't have pointing at you.

Got it. Looks easy enough. Loosen them and then torque them, one at a time, in the specified order.