A valve adjustment (sometimes also called an overhead) is vital to the health of your diesel engine to ensure proper combustion. This is often an overlooked task for proper engine maintenance; however, neglecting your valves could lead to a lot of unwanted hassles like loss of power and decreased fuel efficiency.

How do you tell if your valves need adjusting?

If your engine generates a loud clatter, it could be time for a valve clearance adjustment, though a tapping noise could also be caused by a loose rocker arm or some other component; the mechanic won’t know for sure without inspecting the valves.

How often should you do a valve adjustment?

On pre-2006 models, they recommend a valve adjustment at 110,000 miles. And for newer ones, they recommend just listening for noise and adjusting when necessary.