Generac — Valve Clearance Adjustment
Adjustments
From a Generac owner's manual — check it applies to your exact model before use.
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Before you start
- Allow engine to cool before adjusting valve clearance
Procedure
- Remove spark plug wire(s) and position away from plugs.
- Remove spark plug(s).
- Remove the four screws attaching the valve cover.
- Remove and discard the valve cover gasket.
- Make sure the piston is at top dead center (TDC) of its compression stroke.
- Remove the intake screen at the front of the engine to access the flywheel nut.
- Use a large socket and wrench to rotate the flywheel nut clockwise to position the piston at TDC.
- Loosen the rocker jam nut using a 13 mm wrench.
- Turn the pivot ball stud using a 10 mm Allen wrench while checking clearance.
- Adjust clearance to 0.002–0.004 in using a feeler gauge.
- Hold the pivot ball stud in place with a wrench and tighten the rocker arm jam nut to 174 in-lbs (19.68 Nm).
- Recheck valve clearance to verify it did not change.
- Install new valve cover gasket.
- Install the valve cover and tighten fasteners in a cross pattern to 60 in-lbs (6.8 Nm).
- Install spark plugs and torque to 18 ft-lbs (25 Nm).
Tools required
Tool links are Amazon searches (affiliate links); manufacturer special tools may only be available from a dealer.
Specs & values
- Valve clearance: 0.002–0.004 in
- Rocker jam nut torque: 174 in-lbs
- Valve cover torque: 60 in-lbs
Source: Generac owner's manual. Steps and values are as documented; always cross-check against the official manual and any later revisions for your exact serial number before servicing.