Valve Clearance | Ford Focus Workshop Manual

CAUTION:Exchange shims to correct the valve clearance.

Disconnect the battery ground lead.
For additional information, refer to: Batterie abklemmen (414-01, General Procedures).

NOTE:Do not remove the upper timing belt cover.

Undo the bolts in the upper timing belt cover.

CAUTION:Do not pull on the cable when pulling off the spark plug connector. If necessary remove the ignition coil plug to avoid kinking the cable. Turn the spark plug connector slightly before pulling it off in order to loosen the seal.

CAUTION:When pulling off the spark plug connector keep it in line with the spark plug.

NOTE:Loosening sequence: from the outside to the inside, working diagonally.

Remove the cylinder head cover.
- Pull off the spark plug connectors.
1. Detach the crankcase ventilation hose.
1. Unscrew the ten bolts.

CAUTION:Only rotate the engine on the crankshaft and in its rotation direction.

Set the engine to TDC on the 1st cylinder.

NOTE:Note down each cylinder number and the valve clearances measured.

Measure the valve clearance using feeler gauges .
- Permissible valve clearance: Inlet (0,11 - 0,18 mm)
- Permissible valve clearance: Exhaust (0,27 - 0,34 mm)
- Turn the engine on the crankshaft by 180 degrees further each time and check the valve clearances of the remaining cylinders. In this instance, the measuring sequence follows the firing order 1-3-4-2.

NOTE:Only carry out the following steps when the valve clearance must be adjusted.

Install the special tool using a sleeve (8 x 12 mm) or suitable washers.

NOTE:Aim for a valve clearance in the middle of the range (inlet 0,15 mm; exhaust 0,30 mm)

NOTE:The number on the shim indicates the shim thickness. Example: 222 = 2.22 mm

Determine the shim thickness required.
- Remove the adjusting shim from the tappet and read the thickness from the back face (if it is no longer legible measure it with an external micrometer ).
- Determine the shim thickness required and insert the correct shim.

CAUTION:Use a blunt object (e.g. a plastic cable tie) to apply the silicone grease, to avoid damaging the spark plug connector.

CAUTION:Slide on the spark plug connector keeping it in line with the spark plug.

NOTE:Coat the inside of the spark plug connector with silicone grease to a depth of 5-10 mm.

Fit the cylinder head cover.
1. Insert the ten bolts and tighten them in two stages.
- 1st stage: 2 Nm.
- 2nd Stage (metal cylinder head cover): 7 Nm.
- 2nd Stage (plastic cylinder head cover): 9 Nm.
1. Attach the crankcase ventilation hose.
- Fit the spark plug connectors and ensure that they engage correctly.

NOTE:Check that the gasket on the upper timing belt cover is seated correctly and adjust if necessary.

Fit the upper timing belt cover.

Connect the battery ground lead.
For additional information, refer to: Batterie abklemmen (414-01, General Procedures).

Check that the vacuum hoses and cables are routed correctly and fix in place using cable ties .

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