So last time I saw Sean, he recommended setting the valve clearances when the engine was stone cold - ideally having been left overnight. While looking at the 2cvstuff document on servicing, it advises you to check them after running the engine to warm it up.

Which is it? Can someone explain the logic in the correct one for me?

http://www.2cvstuff.com/Files/A-Series%20Servicing.pdf

Cold, always cold.....

OK, but why?

I do it cold because I read it in the Citroen workshop manual (attached snippet) and can't see a reason to do otherwise.

Cold engine,thats the way i do it also....clearince 0.20 mm

Learnt my lesson: cold, i guess because as the engine heats up the clearances get bigger, so if you do it warm, you'll end up with MASSIVE clearances after a long run.

FWIW, in my opinion some interesting things were written on 2cvstuff by experts that work there way into popular vernacular as fact. Did I hear you say tie rod end loop grease nipples?

stone cold as thats a good base line cold is cold but how warm is warm?

if set warm the clarances will be too large and when fully hot there is a chance the valves wont be opening properly

as the engine warms it all expands so the barrels get longer but the push rods being alloy get longer and so the wide clearances dialed in when cold actually close up

( 2cv Stuff was Vick Moran, he did tech torque for the mag too and generally it was a good thing , however much of the technical stuff was gleaned from many of us and from posting questions on 2cv-l group.....trouble is with "Wikis" some of the more outlandish views don't get filtered out)

That's perfect folks, thanls!

Adjust the valves cold at 0.20 mm. Start the engine, warm to working temp, check the valves hot and see if there is needed gap. Many cars are running (too)long overheating causing the exhaust valve stems to soften, expanding and reducing the gab to 0. Not many folks bother replacing the valves but keep adjusting the ever closing exhaust valves.

652, 602, 435 (^ shaped in - and exhaust connections) engines cold

602, 425, 375 ( - - flat shaped in- and exhaust connections) engines as hot as possible.....


Exhaust about 0.20/0,25mm
inlet 0.15/0.20mm

hope you understand what I mean.....