My Limited is just shy of 160,000 miles. The noise of the valve train has gotten louder and it seemed as two of the adjusters/valves where particularly bad as they where very loud all the time; Hot or cold did not make a difference. The noise has been going on for several years, but getting louder and more obvious the past year. It was time to do something about this.

I have just completed installing new hydraulic adjusters on all the valves both left and right. It is not a complicated job. You do not have to be concerned about engine timing getting skewed or needing any special tools though some may not be in every ones garage as you do need torx sockets and torque wrenches and a 27mm socket. I also used an air compressor, but you could do the job without it. You do need a clean place to work. I spent four days on this, but I was exploring, learning and let the valve cover gaskets set up for about 40 hours before turning over the engine and splashing fresh oil up through the valves. I use Permatex #2 on the valve cover's gasket (most follow directions and simple place new gaskets on the covers and screw them down) as I think it gives me a better chance in preventing leaks over a long time period.

When investigating the procedure I found instructions that call for de-tension of the timing chain. I'm guessing this is necessary to prevent the camshaft from rising up out of it's resting place in the cylinder head when you remove the camshaft bridge. I do not know that for a fact, It would make the job much easier and quicker if you did not take the tension off the timing chain. I was not willing to try that. If anyone has replaced these rocker arm adjusters without removing the timing chain tension please speak up and lets us know. I did not want to take a chance on scaring the camshaft races on the cylinder head by taking a short cut, so I took tension off the timing chain.

If you are interested in doing this job yourself I have written instructions, pictures, part numbers and particulars in a pdf file. Just open the attachment. My car now idles quiet. There does seem to be one valve that has a bit of chatter, but nothing like before. The car and engine isn't new so do not expect miracles, but I'm confident on making a 6,000 mile trip this summer. Don't make it a job; Have fun and good luck.

PS. I just returned ( July 18, 2025) from a 6,824 mile trip across the USA and the engine still sounds good with no clatter/tapping from the valve train. Follow the instructs and you will be in good shape.

 

Thanks for sharing.

 

Thanks for the write up and the PDF file - I have "stickied" this thread to keep it here on top