Honda Civic Valve Adjustment - Turn Crank - How?

My Haynes manual says to turn the bolt on the end of the crankshaft to do a
valve adjustment. However, there is only maybe 3/4" of clearance (if that)
between the bolt and the wall of the car, and the pulley gets in the way.
There's no way you can get a ratchet and socket in there, and can't see
getting a box end wrench in, unless it's an offset one, with a bent handle
or something.

Anybody out there in Honda DIY land got an answer for me? What tool needed
for the job??

Frank

 

Every one I've seen has a circular cut out in the plastic fender well
directly in front of the crank bolt. You just put a long extension on the
socket and push it through. You might have to take off the wheel if you
can't get enough clearance by turning the steering wheel, but that should be
about it.

 

There's usually a hole in the fender that allows you to put a socket on the
crank pulley bolt. Note that there may be a rubber plug in the hole.

 

The way I do my 95 is:

Remove the front wheel. Partially remove the black plastic splash shield
and let it hang down enough to access the pulley bolt. Use a 17mm deep
socket. You may want to pull the plugs to turn the crank more freely.
Inspect the plugs while you're at it.

BTW, if you're having a ticking noise that's not eliminated by adjusting
the valve lash, you may be hearing piston slap instead. As the weather is
getting colder the noise is more pronounced...HTH

 

If your car has a MT, you can put it in high gear and move it. I suggest
NOT to do this on a hill!

 

You must be from the old school. I used to bump my 280Z in 1976 that way to
adjust the valves, and the old British sports cars as well, unless you had a
hand crank. I recollect hand cranking a TR3s with bad starter in the 50s
that way. And, an XKE I had -- simply push it, jump in and hit 2nd gear.
You could do it by yourself. in fact. Ah memories.

 

pull the spark plugs and turn it over with a wrench on the p/s
pump!! or use the crank bolt. i always find the way that requires the
least amount of work.
Chip

 

I use the camshaft bolt. Remove the spark plugs first. Or, if you have a
manual trans, you can put it in 5th gear and push the car forward.

Spudston

 

Using the camshaft bolt isn't such a great choice. It's only an 8mm bolt
and would be easy to break.

 

Don' know how it is on your car, but on my '87 CRX si there's a hole
in the left front wheel well that's in line with the crankshaft.
There's a rubber plug in said hole. Turn the tire to the left to get
room, pull the plug and you're good to go. Oh, I think there may also
be another plug on the pully cover, but maybe not. I can't quite
remember, which means it's probably time to check my valves again...
Dan

 

I don't think it's an 8mm, that's way too small. More like a 12 or 14. I
haven't had any problem with doing it this way for the last 100k miles which
equals six adjustments. The engine actually turns over really easily with
the plugs out.

Spudston