Hi All,

My timing belt needs changing so I figured I might as well check the valve shims whilst the rocker cover is off.

Which one of the tools below would be the best shape to do this? I've never this particular job before so will be a learning experience, any tips appreciated.

Hi Thomas,

no real clue about wich one would best fit but be aware that you'd need a full set of spacers if you want to adjust the gaps properly !
OR you'll have to measure each valve gap, corresponding spacer, do the math and order the correct one(s). If you got chance you could re use some of them in different places tho !

BRs, Bernie

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Hi Bernie,

Yep the plan is to draw a grid, measure the gaps with a feeler guage, write them down with the shim sizes.

Have a brew and work it all out then see what I need to get.

Would RTV be ok instead of a gasket, or could I reuse the original one?

£22 gasket seems a bit steep for a new strip of rubber.

Hi!
I got a GP 07 1.4L 8V 77Hp dualogic and the time is up for changing the timing belt,
i am planning to check the valve clearing too, I have done that many times on the classic 1.3L motor (Fiat 128, X1/9 and Uno 70Hp) and I still have the tool (looks like the N3 above) and a lot of spacers, can I reuse these for my "new" car, is the spacers the same diameter?
BTW. when I started the motor a couple of days ago there was an awfull squeeking noise and a smell of burned rubber, I cured it with a squint of WD40 to the tightening roller bearing for the gen./ac belt, not a long time solution, but I am going to change it anyway.
BRs. Kjeld

Thanks for the advice on the tool.

According to the guide on here the shims are 31mm diameter.

Hope that helps.?

TigerTom said:

Hi All,

My timing belt needs changing so I figured I might as well check the valve shims whilst the rocker cover is off.

Which one of the tools below would be the best shape to do this? I've never this particular job before so will be a learning experience, any tips appreciated.

Click to expand...

Hi Tom. I did this very job on our old '92 Panda 1.0 litre. (Felicity). She had blown her head gasket on the No1 cylinder so I had the head on the bench anyway and decided to give the valves a wee "kiss" with the grinding paste to ensure a good seal. I then reassembled the head, including the camshaft with all the followers and shims in the positions they had been in when stripped. You don't need to fully torque the cam journal nuts for checking, just "nice and tight" will do. I drew up a wee chart on paper to represent the position of each valve and measured all the valve clearances, noting them down on the chart. Only two were outside the allowable tolerances. I removed the camshaft again which made it very easy to extract the shims I needed to get at and thus didn't need the special tool. In fact, probably because of the grinding in I'd done, these clearances were too tight so I needed slightly thinner shims. Went down to the local big main agent who kindly produced a nice big compartmentalized box with lots of shims in it, but, none of the sizes I needed! Had to order them and they took a while to arrive. Luckily Felicity was our 2nd vehicle. Got talking to some of the fitters while I was there and it would seem that routine checking of valve clearances was a practice virtually unknown to them - they just didn't do it. Only on rebuilds. I went away with the impression that if the oil changes are done regularly and the engine not abused it's rare to find valve clearances requiring attention, or not until you hit "starship" type mileages. So I would say, check your clearances first before paying out any money on tools or shims. You may find everything is within allowable specs (or so close it's not worth disturbing them)

I have bought one rubber cam cover gasket from Shop4parts for my own Panda and one generic made one from my local factor for my boy's Punto, both at a fraction of the price Fiat want for them. The one from Shop4parts seemed to be of slightly better quality with the generic one being a bit less compliant. Both fitted well and neither (after 2 or 3 months now) are leaking. Don't forget to put some liquid gasket in the corners where it goes over the "humps" at either end. Buy the type which is compatible with oxygen sensors - some silicon sealants have the potential to "poison" oxygen sensors. I use Loctite SI 5980 - others are available!

Also don't get too obsessed with the clearances. I think, if I remember, it's 0.3mm on inlets and 0.4mm on exhaust with +/- 0.05mm on that older FIRE engine. I don't think it's changed on the later ones but you need to check. As long as you're reasonably within the spec (+/- 0.5mm) be happy! You can drive yourself mad trying to get it absolutely spot on and really not notice any difference in the running of the engine. The actual shim thickness is on the underside of the shim itself.

I really enjoyed doing mine and when she fired up and ran nice and quietly it gave me great satisfaction! Hope you enjoy working on yours - good luck with it!
Regards
Jock.

Oh deary me! "Reasonably within the spec (+/- 0.5mm)" - I think not! Should have read 0.05mm!
So sorry folks. I really must give up this old Hudl, it's doing really wierd things these days.

Any of you folks "know" about laptops? Been thinking about a refurbished Lenovo ThinkPad t420 or 430 anyone got any opinions? I'm pretty hopeless where computers are concerned.

Thanks
Jock

I've got a Lenovo V110 nice laptop. Bit plasticky but works well.

Thanks for the info, much appreciated.

Interestingly I can't find an aftermarket rocker cover gasket for the 1.2.

With reference to the cam (rocker) cover gasket. Google "Shop4parts" and if you can't find the part you need give them a ring. I find them very helpful and the quality of the parts I've had from them indistinguishable from Fiat parts! When I ordered, as long as you were spending more than £25, delivery was free. If you haven't spent that much just get some service parts for your next service. If you donate to the forum, and it needn't be much, you will be able to access the forum discount code!

The generic gasket supplied by my factor was made by B G Automotive. (www.bgautomotive.co.uk). Also ([email protected]) Tel. 01793 491777 & 01793 491555 - this info taken from their packaging. Maybe if you contact them they could suggest a supplier near you. I would bet there are other makes/brands available too. But try Shop4parts, I don't think you'll be disappointed by them. - By the way I have no vested interest in them other than being a happy customer!

Good luck
Jock

The same powertrain equip other cars like Opel, Vauxhall, Alfa … so you might find they sell parts cheapere than Fiat does …

BRs, Bernie

If someone here helped You fix -or better, understand- your issue, hit the thanks icon @ bottom right corner, it's free and makes us feel helpy ;-)

Good shout Bernie. I'll try the ford ka. I know it uses the same 1.2 8v.