My buddys bone stock 06 LBZ with 87,000 miles has a ticking noise from the valve train. How often do the valve adjustments need to be done. The truck starts right up and runs great. I don't know much about the duramaxs so any help is appreciated.

 

I've never had to adjust my valves got 150k on an 05. Check them about 6 months ago all were with in spec.

This is one method used to set the valve lash on duramax engines.

The intake rocker arm is the shorter of the two. its best to rotate the motor using the bolt on the crank damper bolt. 36mm socket needed to do this

I used the .012" feeler gauge.

First get cylinder No. 1 at TDC (no. 1 is front pass cylinder) on the compression stroke.

At this point you can adjust the following:

cylinder no. 1: intake and exhaust
cylinder no. 2: exhaust
cylinder no. 3: intake
cylinder no. 5: intake
cylinder no. 6: intake
cylinder no. 7: exhaust
cylinder no. 8: exhaust

Rotate the the motor one revolution and then adjust the following:

cylinder no. 2: intake
cylinder no. 3: exhaust
cylinder no. 4: intake and exhaust
cylinder no. 5: exhaust
cylinder no. 6: exhaust
cylinder no. 7: intake
cylinder no. 8: intake

Hope this helps anyone that has pulled the heads or anyone that has the valve covers off and might want to check clearances.

 

Sweet, thanks for the great info Would an injector getting weak cause the ticking? Or is it normal? First duramax that I have spent any time around.

 

The easiest way to find that out is to check the balance rates of the injectors. Balance rates with engine warm +/-4 in park, +/-6 drive, at idle.

 

What do I have to have to check balance rates?

 

Well find someone with a scan tool that reads them. Or use EFI live.

 

Ok sounds good. Thanks