Valve adjustment cost

2613 Views 43 Replies 17 Participants Last post by Daniel_H, 6 d ago

Daniel_H

Discussion Starter · 23 d ago (Edited)

I've been searching on here but I haven't found any recent posts concerning this. What is an average cost on a valve adjustment service? I have a 2012 EX-L with 209k miles and as far as I know, its never been done. I just got a quote from an independent Honda mechanic in Tulsa, and he quoted $675 for adjustment, valve cover gaskets, and spark plug tube seals. The spark plugs themselves were replaced about 15k miles ago when the whole VCM issue came to light, so they aren't needed. The VCM has been disabled since thanks to learning about it on here.

I've watched the Youtube videos on how to do it, and I don't think it is within my skill or comfort level to do it myself, especially having to do the rear blindly.

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HondaGoBrrr

· #2 · 23 d ago

Warranty time pays 2.2 hours for this job from Honda, most places don't use warranty time for jobs, for example we multiply warranty time by 1.5 to get customer pay hours. That makes 3.3 hours, if we say $150 per hour hypothetically that's a little over $450 labor.

That said, depends all on what he charges per hour and where he's getting his parts from. $675 sounds average to slightly high.

Reactions: 3

WiiMaster

· #3 · 23 d ago

$675 seems fair to me.

Reactions: 2

93Bandit

· #4 · 22 d ago

My local honda dealer quoted me $742 to adjust the valves. That included labor, new gaskets and plug tube seals and nothing else.

I ended up doing it myself. It wasn't bad at all. The trickiest part for me was getting enough slack in the engine harness to get the rear valve cover off easily. That was a bit of a puzzle, disconnect this, try, disconnect one more, try again etc until it came out. Otherwise a fairly simple job if you take your time and are organized.

Reactions: 2

Buddur

· #5 · 22 d ago

If my memory serves me correct based on quotes I've read on here in the past...$675 sounds very reasonable.

And during the process I've read of others replacing the PCV valve while everything is apart and you can easily get to it.

Reactions: 3

Daniel_H

Discussion Starter · #6 · 22 d ago

Buddur said:
If my memory serves me correct based on quotes I've read on here in the past...$675 sounds very reasonable.

And during the process I've read of others replacing the PCV valve while everything is apart and you can easily get to it.

I forgot to mention that in the OP, that price includes the PCV valve, but I actually just replaced it a couple of months go, so I don't even need it.

WiiMaster

· #7 · 22 d ago

Buddur said:
And during the process I've read of others replacing the PCV valve while everything is apart and you can easily get to it.

Also less worry of it breaking, as if you replace it with the valve cover out it's not a big deal if it breaks.

lozawa

· #8 · 22 d ago

2001, odyssey. Original owner. 230,000 miles. Never had valve adjustment. My mechanic did not recommend an adjustment. Not sure why. Maybe, generation 2, not recommended?
Anyways, van runs fine. Same gas mileage as when new. Average 20-21 mpg.

2011.2017.odyssey

· #9 · 22 d ago

lozawa said:
2001, odyssey. Original owner. 230,000 miles. Never had valve adjustment. My mechanic did not recommend an adjustment. Not sure why. Maybe, generation 2, not recommended?
Anyways, van runs fine. Same gas mileage as when new. Average 20-21 mpg.

I never adjusted mine either on the Gen 2, inspected them when doing the TB, and was always keeping a ear on it.

the gen 4's burn exhaust valves more often, so im not taking any chances.
when its due based on mileage (150k)
DO IT.

Daniel_H

Discussion Starter · #10 · 22 d ago

lozawa said:
2001, odyssey. Original owner. 230,000 miles. Never had valve adjustment. My mechanic did not recommend an adjustment. Not sure why. Maybe, generation 2, not recommended?
Anyways, van runs fine. Same gas mileage as when new. Average 20-21 mpg.

This will be my first time to do it on a J series engine. Honestly, I don't think most people realize it is a need, the dealers in my area don't even push the service. I have done it on a K24 engine before at 175k miles, and to be completely honest, it breathed new life into the engine. There was a noticeable increase in power after I did it.

Reactions: 1

Daniel_H

Discussion Starter · #11 · 22 d ago

For reference, I called my local Honda dealers. South Pointe in Tulsa charges $699.95 for the adjustment and valve cover gaskets - not including PCV valve or spark plug tube seals, and Don Carlton in Tulsa just told me that "it is no longer a recommended service," that I should only get one done if I get a misfire code... Sounds like they don't want to even mess with it.

HondaGoBrrr

· #12 · 22 d ago

Daniel_H said:
For reference, I called my local Honda dealers. South Pointe in Tulsa charges $699.95 for the adjustment and valve cover gaskets - not including PCV valve or spark plug tube seals, and Don Carlton in Tulsa just told me that "it is no longer a recommended service," that I should only get one done if I get a misfire code... Sounds like they don't want to even mess with it.

It's weird they aren't more keen to do it, my techs LOVE valve adjustments, it's easy money, no weird diagnosis or "customer states X" nonsense.

Reactions: 2

WiiMaster

· #13 · 22 d ago

Yeah, the issue is that by the time you see a misfire it could very well be too late.

Reactions: 1

Daniel_H

Discussion Starter · #14 · 21 d ago

WiiMaster said:
Yeah, the issue is that by the time you see a misfire it could very well be too late.

That's the same logic as "don't bother changing the oil until you start seeing smoke or hear a loud boom..."

Reactions: 1

phattyduck

· #15 · 21 d ago

HondaGoBrrr said:
It's weird they aren't more keen to do it, my techs LOVE valve adjustments, it's easy money, no weird diagnosis or "customer states X" nonsense.

And probably reasonably easy once you've done it a few times and have a feel for it... (if we ever make it to 150k on our van, it'll be the first time I do a valve adjustment - my previous vehicles have all been Toyota's that basically don't need it until ~300k miles, Subarus that need engine work for other reasons by that time, etc.)

-Charlie

mak474

· #16 · 21 d ago

The price sounds fair to me. I just did mine a while back. Gaskets alone were about $130 with tax.
My manifold had some corrosion too on the gasket mating surfaces, so I had to carefully grind that away and plane the surfaces flat. Removing that rear valve cover was a pain. Even with the entire harness loosened up, it was still a bear to get on and off. Probably took me 4hr or so total, I'm not 100% sure. I was doing that, the front VVT, trans filter, engine mounts, etc. Make sure you lube up the tubes for the tube seals with a bit of dielectric compound or even lightly with soapy water to let the tube seals glide over them or they'll bunch up on the tubes and not seal.

Adjusting the rear was very tricky doing blindly. Even for someone who has plenty of experience working blindly. It's just very tedious and still difficult with a large mirror. If you remove your feeler gauges and use them individually it makes them easier to work with, but I usually tie some safety wire through the holes, so they are easier to spot when dropped. Honestly if you're not super comfortable with this type of work, paying $600-700 is very reasonable. I would have expected the job would be closer to $1000. I was a full time mechanic for 15 years and I wouldn't do it again for a friend for $700.

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Reactions: 5

jeffs3232

· #17 · 19 d ago

Are you due for your 2nd timing belt? The Sub Item 4 package includes it. My Odyssey only has 117k miles, but when I got my quote for the Sub Item 4 job, I had the give me the quote without the valve adjustment as well. It was about a $390 difference. So it is cheaper doing the job while they are in there. I've seen quotes on here range from $600-$1,200 for the valve adjustment depending on location.

Daniel_H

Discussion Starter · #18 · 19 d ago

jeffs3232 said:
Are you due for your 2nd timing belt? The Sub Item 4 package includes it. My Odyssey only has 117k miles, but when I got my quote for the Sub Item 4 job, I had the give me the quote without the valve adjustment as well. It was about a $390 difference. So it is cheaper doing the job while they are in there. I've seen quotes on here range from $600-$1,200 for the valve adjustment depending on location.

I got the van with 204k miles from a friend, and the previous owner did the timing belt, water pump, etc., just before I got it. Like many, he probably wasn’t aware of the valve adjustment service. The dealer that he went to for service was the one who said not to do it unless there was a misfire.

jeffs3232

· #19 · 19 d ago

Daniel_H said:
I got the van with 204k miles from a friend, and the previous owner did the timing belt, water pump, etc., just before I got it. Like many, he probably wasn’t aware of the valve adjustment service. The dealer that he went to for service was the one who said not to do it unless there was a misfire.

Are the valves noisey? Why do you think you need one?

Daniel_H

Discussion Starter · #20 · 19 d ago

jeffs3232 said:
Are the valves noisey? Why do you think you need one?

They are a little noisy, especially when cold. I would rather do spend the money on preventative maintenance, especially considering I plan on having this van for years.

Reactions: 1

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