adjust valve train hot or cold?

[stamina]

i am going to adjust my valves soon and i’m wanting to know if i should do it while the engine is warm or when the engine is completely cool. i see LOTS of different things on the internet.

 

[sgtsandman]

When did valve lash adjustments, it was a different manufacturer and engine. But the service manual said to do it cold.

 

[Curious Hound]

I always did it cold on my Mercedes.


But that's probably because it never otemperature to me that I should be concerned about the temerature and I don't think I ever did it in the winter.

 

[pjtoledo]

being an 'ol fart I remember when the manuals gave measurements for both hot and cold.
so you can do it either way if you have the correct numbers.

fyi, adjusting valves on a running engine usually resulted in trashed feeler gauges. and lots of smoke

 

[Blmpkn]

I've always done it cold on small engines.

 

[gaz]

To make the hydraulic lifter adjustment the Chilton's Manual says to perform the procedure with engine COLD.