3054 Engine Caterpillar


Engine Valve Lash - Inspect/Adjust

Usage:

554 1AM

------ WARNING! ------

Accidental engine starting can cause injury or death to personnel.

To prevent accidental engine starting, turn the ignition switch to the OFF position, place a do not operate tag at the ignition switch location and disconnect and tape the electrical connection to the stop solenoid that is located on the fuel injection pump.



NOTICE

Keep all parts clean from contaminants.

Contaminants may cause rapid wear and shortened component life.



NOTICE

Care must be taken to ensure that fluids are contained during performance of inspection, maintenance, testing, adjusting and repair of the product. Be prepared to collect the fluid with suitable containers before opening any compartment or disassembling any component containing fluids.

Refer to Special Publication, NENG2500, "Caterpillar Tools and Shop Products Guide" for tools and supplies suitable to collect and contain fluids on Caterpillar products.

Dispose of all fluids according to local regulations and mandates.


Valve Lash Setting

The temperature of the engine does not change the valve lash setting.

Valve Lash Setting

Inlet valve ... 0.20 mm (0.008 inch)
Exhaust valve ... 0.45 mm (0.018 inch)

Valve Lash Adjustment

If the valve lash requires adjustment several times in a short period of time, excessive wear exists in a different part of the engine. Repair the problem in order to prevent more damage to the engine.

Not enough valve lash can be the cause of rapid wear of the camshaft and valve lifters. Not enough valve lash can indicate that the seats for the cylinder head valves are worn.

Cylinder head valves become damaged due to the following causes:

  • Fuel injection nozzles that operate incorrectly

  • Excessive dirt and oil are present on the filters for the inlet air.

  • Incorrect fuel settings on the fuel injection pump.

  • The load capacity of the engine is frequently exceeded.

Too much valve lash can cause broken valve stems, springs, and spring retainers. Too much valve lash can be an indication of the following problems:

  • Worn camshaft and valve lifters

  • Worn rocker arms

  • Bent pushrods

  • Broken socket on the upper end of a pushrod

  • Loose adjustment screw for the valve lash

If the camshaft and valve lifters show rapid wear, look for fuel in the lubrication oil or dirty lubrication oil as a possible cause.

The valve lash is measured between the top of the valve stem and the rocker arm lever.

Note: Number 1 cylinder is at the front of the engine.



Illustration 1g00323903
Setting the valve lash
(1) Adjustment screw
(2) Feeler gauge

------ WARNING! ------

Accidental engine starting can cause injury or death to personnel.

To prevent accidental engine starting, turn the ignition switch to the OFF position, place a do not operate tag at the ignition switch location and disconnect and tape the electrical connection to the stop solenoid that is located on the fuel injection pump.


Remove the valve mechanism cover and perform the following procedure in order to adjust the valve lash:

  1. Set the top center position for No. 1 piston on the compression stroke. Before adjustments are made, lightly tap each rocker arm at the top of the adjustment screw. Use a soft mallet to ensure that the lifter seats against the camshaft's base circle.

    Note: Later 3054 engines require the use of a TORX T27 driver to adjust valve lash.

  2. Rotate the crankshaft in the normal rotation of the engine. When the inlet valve of the No. 4 cylinder has opened and the exhaust valve of the No. 4 cylinder has not completely closed measure the valve lash of the inlet valve and the exhaust valve of No. 1 cylinder. If necessary, make an adjustment to the inlet valve and the exhaust valve on No. 1 cylinder.

    1. Loosen the valve adjustment screw locknut that is on adjustment screw (1).

    2. Place appropriate feeler gauge (2) between the rocker arm and the valve. Turn adjustment screw (1) while the valve adjustment screw locknut is being held from turning. Adjust the valve lash until the correct specification is achieved.

    3. After each adjustment, tighten the valve adjustment screw locknut while valve adjustment screw (1) is being held from turning.

  3. Rotate the crankshaft in the normal rotation of the engine. When the inlet valve of the No. 2 cylinder has opened and the exhaust valve of the No. 2 cylinder has not completely closed measure the valve lash of the inlet valve and the exhaust valve of No. 3 cylinder. If necessary, make an adjustment to the inlet valve and the exhaust valve on No. 3 cylinder.

    1. Loosen the valve adjustment screw locknut that is on adjustment screw (1).

    2. Place appropriate feeler gauge (2) between the rocker arm and the valve. Turn adjustment screw (1) while the valve adjustment screw locknut is being held from turning. Adjust the valve lash until the correct specification is achieved.

    3. After each adjustment, tighten the valve adjustment screw locknut while valve adjustment screw (1) is being held from turning.

  4. Rotate the crankshaft in the normal rotation of the engine. When the inlet valve of the No. 1 cylinder has opened and the exhaust valve of the No. 1 cylinder has not completely closed measure the valve lash of the inlet valve and the exhaust valve of No. 4 cylinder. If necessary, make an adjustment to the inlet valve and the exhaust valve on No. 4 cylinder.

    1. Loosen the valve adjustment screw locknut that is on adjustment screw (1).

    2. Place appropriate feeler gauge (2) between the rocker arm and the valve. Turn adjustment screw (1) while the valve adjustment screw locknut is being held from turning. Adjust the valve lash until the correct specification is achieved.

    3. After each adjustment, tighten the valve adjustment screw locknut while valve adjustment screw (1) is being held from turning.

  5. Rotate the crankshaft in the normal rotation of the engine. When the inlet valve of the No. 3 cylinder has opened and the exhaust valve of the No. 3 cylinder has not completely closed measure the valve lash of the inlet valve and the exhaust valve of No. 2 cylinder. If necessary, make an adjustment to the inlet valve and the exhaust valve on No. 2 cylinder.

    1. Loosen the valve adjustment screw locknut that is on adjustment screw (1) .

    2. Place appropriate feeler gauge (2) between the rocker arm and the valve. Turn adjustment screw (1) while the valve adjustment screw locknut is being held from turning. Adjust the valve lash until the correct specification is achieved.

    3. After each adjustment, tighten the valve adjustment screw locknut while valve adjustment screw (1) is being held from turning.

Caterpillar Information System:

816F Landfill Compactor, 815F Soil Compactor and 814F Wheel Dozer Engine Oil Level - Check
TH103 Telehandler Hydraulic System Compensating System
AS2301 Screed Screed Plate (Main) - Remove and Install
IT12F, IT14F, IT18F, IT24F and IT28F Integrated Toolcarriers and 910F, 918F, 924F and 928F Wheel Loaders Power Train Electronic Control System Electronic Control Module (Autoshift)
120H, 12H, 135H, 140H, 143H, 160H and 163H Motor Graders Diagnostic Capabilities
735 and 740 Articulated Trucks Steering, Suspension, and Body Hoist Hydraulic Systems Relief Valve (Hoist Raise, Hoist Lower) - Test and Adjust
816F Landfill Compactor, 815F Soil Compactor and 814F Wheel Dozer Engine Oil (High Speed) and Oil Filter - Change - If Equipped
TK1051 Track Feller Buncher Specifications
3054 Engine Automatic Timing Advance Unit - Test
769D Off-Highway Truck and 771D Quarry Truck Fuel Tank Cap and Strainer - Clean
Product Identification Numbers (PIN) Location Guide Trencher
3054 Engine Fuel Injection Nozzle - Test
3054 Engine Valve Depth - Inspect
816F Landfill Compactor, 815F Soil Compactor and 814F Wheel Dozer Engine Oil and Filter - Change
3054 Engine Valve Guide - Inspect
TK1051 Track Feller Buncher Machine Systems Travel Motor
TK1051 Track Feller Buncher Machine System Relief Valve (Pilot)
IT12F, IT14F, IT18F, IT24F and IT28F Integrated Toolcarriers and 910F, 918F, 924F and 928F Wheel Loaders Power Train Electronic Control System Sensors
IT12F, IT14F, IT18F, IT24F and IT28F Integrated Toolcarriers and 910F, 918F, 924F and 928F Wheel Loaders Power Train Electronic Control System Solenoid Valves
2001/05/21 The Rear Axle Housing Is Now Equipped with Extra Lugs and Extra Spacers for Custom Products {3260}
Instructions for Installation of Turbine Precleaners on Products with Dust Ejectors {1055} Instructions for Installation of Turbine Precleaners on Products with Dust Ejectors {1055}
TK1051 Track Feller Buncher Ether Starting Aid Cylinder - Replace
3054 Engine Cooling System - Inspect
3176C and 3406E Engines for Caterpillar Built Machines System Configuration Parameters
Back to top
The names Caterpillar, John Deere, JD, JCB, Hyundai or any other original equipment manufacturers are registered trademarks of the respective original equipment manufacturers. All names, descriptions, numbers and symbols are used for reference purposes only.
CH-Part.com is in no way associated with any of the manufacturers we have listed. All manufacturer's names and descriptions are for reference only.