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Testing and Adjusting

3408E and 3412E Engines for Caterpillar Built Machines
Media Number -SENR1018-16 Publication Date -01/06/2013 Date Updated -17/06/2013

i04938523

Engine Valve Lash - Inspect/Adjust

SMCS - 1102-025

To prevent possible injury, do not use the starter to turn the flywheel.

Hot engine components can cause burns. Allow additional time for the
engine to cool before measuring valve clearance.

This engine uses high voltage to control the fuel injectors.

Disconnect electronic fuel injector enable circuit connector to prevent

personal injury.

Do not come in contact with the fuel injector terminals while the engine
is running.

Note: Valve lash is measured between the rocker arm and the valve bridge. All measurements and
adjustments must be made with the engine stopped and the valves fully closed.

Table 1
Tools Needed
Part Number Part Name Quantity
194-2062 Valve Adjusting Tool Gp 1

Valve Lash Check

An adjustment is NOT NECESSARY if the measurement of the valve lash is in the acceptable range.
Check the valve lash while the engine is stopped. The range is specified in Table 2.

Table 2

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Quick Reference for Engine Valve Lash Setting

3408E Engines
Inlet Valves Exhaust Valves

Valve Lash Setting 0.38 ± 0.08 mm (0.015 ± 0.003 0.76 ± 0.10 mm (0.030 ± 0.004
inch) inch)
TC Compression Stroke
1-2-5-7 1-3-4-8

TC Exhaust Stroke (1) 3-4-6-8 2-5-6-7

Firing Order 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 (2)
(1) 360° from TC compression stroke
(2) Refer to Illustration 1 in order to locate the No. 1 cylinder.

Table 3
Quick Reference for Engine Valve Lash Setting
3412E Engines
Inlet Valves Exhaust Valves

Valve Lash Setting 0.38 ± 0.08 mm (0.015 ± 0.003 0.76 ± 0.10 mm (0.030 ± 0.004
inch) inch)
TC Compression Stroke
1-3-4-6-7-12 1-4-5-8-9-12

TC Exhaust Stroke (1) 2-5-8-9-10-11 2-3-6-7-10-11

Firing Order 1-4-9-8-5-2-11-10-3-6-7-12 (2)
(1) 360° from TC compression stroke
(2) Refer to Illustration 2 in order to locate the No. 1 cylinder.

If the measurement is not within this range, adjustment is necessary. Refer to Testing and Adjusting,
"Valve Lash Adjustment".

Valve Lash Adjustment

View Image

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Illustration 1 g01469728
3408E Engines

(A) Inlet valves

(B) Exhaust valves

(C) Left side of the engine

(D) Cylinder number

(E) Flywheel end of the engine

(F) Front of the engine

(G) Right side of the engine

View Image

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Illustration 2 g01469727
3412E Engines

(A) Inlet valves

(B) Exhaust valves

(C) Left side of the engine

(D) Cylinder number

(E) Flywheel end of the engine

(F) Front of the engine

(G) Right side of the engine

Number one cylinder is the front cylinder on the left side of the cylinder block.

Number two cylinder is the front cylinder on the right side of the cylinder block.

Note: The front of the engine is opposite of the flywheel end of the engine. The left side of the engine
and the right side of the engine are viewed from the flywheel end of the engine.
View Image

Illustration 3 g00506544
Valve lash check

(1) Valve adjustment locknut

(2) Exhaust adjustment screw

(3) Valve adjustment locknut

(4) Inlet adjustment screw

(5) Feeler gauge

Table 4
Valve Lash
Valves Thickness of Gauge

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Inlet
0.38 mm (0.015 inch)

Exhaust
0.76 mm (0.030 inch)

Adjust the valve lash while the engine is stopped. Use the following procedure in order to adjust the
valves:

1. Put the No. 1 piston at the top center position.

Note: See Testing and Adjusting, "Finding Top Center Position for the No. 1 Piston" for further
details.

2. With No. 1 piston at the top center position of the compression stroke, an adjustment can be
made to the valves.

Before any adjustments are made, lightly tap each rocker arm at the top of the adjustment
screw. Use a soft mallet to ensure that the lifter roller seats against the camshafts base circle.

3. Make the adjustment to the valve lash on the inlet valves for the following cylinders by using
the 194-2062 Valve Adjusting Tool Gp .

For 3408E Engines, adjust the valve lash on the inlet valves for cylinders 1, 2, 5, and 7.

For 3412E Engines, adjust the valve lash on the inlet valves for cylinders 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, and
12.

a. Loosen valve adjustment locknut (3) .

b. Place the appropriate feeler gauge (5) between the inlet rocker arm and the inlet valve
bridge. Turn inlet adjustment screw (4) while valve adjustment locknut (3) is being held
from turning. Adjust the valve lash until the correct specification is achieved. Refer to
Table 4.

c. After each adjustment, tighten valve adjustment locknut (3) while valve adjustment screw
(4) is being held from turning. Tighten to a torque of 30 ± 4 N·m (22 ± 3 lb ft). Recheck
each adjustment.

4. Make the adjustment to the valve lash on the exhaust valves for the following cylinders by
using the 194-2062 Valve Adjusting Tool Gp .

For 3408E Engines, adjust the valve lash on the exhaust valves for cylinders 1, 3, 4, and 8.

For 3412E Engines, adjust the valve lash on the exhaust valves for cylinders 1, 4, 5, 8, 9,
and 12.

a. Loosen valve adjustment locknut (1) .

b. Place the appropriate feeler gauge (5) between the exhaust rocker arm and the exhaust
valve bridge. Turn exhaust adjustment screw (2) while valve adjustment locknut (1) is

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being held from turning. Adjust the valve lash until the correct specification is achieved.
Refer to Table 4.

c. After each adjustment, tighten valve adjustment locknut (1) while valve adjustment screw
(2) is being held from turning. Tighten to a torque of 30 ± 4 N·m (22 ± 3 lb ft). Recheck
each adjustment.

5. Remove the timing bolt, and turn the flywheel by 360 degrees in the direction of engine
rotation. This will position the No. 1 piston at the top center at the beginning of the exhaust
stroke. Install the timing bolt in the flywheel.

6. Make the adjustment to the valve lash on the inlet valves for the following cylinders by using
the 194-2062 Valve Adjusting Tool Gp .

For 3408E Engines, adjust the valve lash on the inlet valves for cylinders 3, 4, 6, and 8.

For 3412E Engines, adjust the valve lash on the inlet valves for cylinders 2, 5, 8, 9, 10, and
11.

a. Loosen valve adjustment locknut (3) .

b. Place the appropriate feeler gauge (5) between the inlet rocker arm and the inlet valve
bridge. Turn inlet adjustment screw (4) while valve adjustment locknut (3) is being held
from turning. Adjust the valve lash until the correct specification is achieved. Refer to
Table 4.

c. After each adjustment, tighten valve adjustment locknut (3) while valve adjustment screw
(4) is being held from turning. Tighten to a torque of 30 ± 4 N·m (22 ± 3 lb ft). Recheck
each adjustment.

7. Make the adjustment to the valve lash on the exhaust valves for the following cylinders by
using the 194-2062 Valve Adjusting Tool Gp .

For 3408E Engines, adjust the valve lash on the exhaust valves for cylinders 2, 5, 6, and 7.

For 3412E Engines, adjust the valve lash on the exhaust valves for cylinders 2, 3, 6, 7, 10,
and 11.

a. Loosen valve adjustment locknut (1) .

b. Place the appropriate feeler gauge (5) between the exhaust rocker arm and the exhaust
valve bridge. Turn exhaust adjustment screw (2) while valve adjustment locknut (1) is
being held from turning. Adjust the valve lash until the correct specification is achieved.
Refer to Table 4.

c. After each adjustment, tighten valve adjustment locknut (1) while valve adjustment screw
(2) is being held from turning. Tighten to a torque of 30 ± 4 N·m (22 ± 3 lb ft). Recheck
each adjustment.

8. Remove the timing bolt from the flywheel after all valve lash adjustments have been made.

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