Aston Martin Vantage 4.7 valve clearance check

[tom-4hcey]

Is it normal procedure after a certain age/mileage to get the valve clearances checked? From reading on here I understand the inlet side are quite a big job to change and the exhaust side are quite a straightforward job to change as the engine can remain in situ. Are both sides accessible to check the clearances. Wondering if I should have mine checked when it’s next in for a service.

Thanks

Tom

[LTP]

It's not listed in my 2015 V8V Owner's Guide. It might be captured under the "excessive noise" powertrain check which should be done every 10k miles/12 months, where a noisy tappet might be noticed and check/fix recommended

[tom-4hcey]

Can anyone recommend anyone in the Kent area to check this or is it worth the journey to Bamford Rose or DAE?

[Calinours]

Quantum Works - a new outfit set up by two ex Pugsley and Lewis guys. Usefully located between Sevenoaks and Maidstone near Kings Hill.

I used them to put my V8VS exhausts back to standard a month or so back - they did a great job. I'd forgotten how perfect the OEM exhaust system sounds

[tom-4hcey]

Thanks I’ve heard about them, I’ll give them a try. Did you have an aftermarket exhaust then? I have a vantage s bit standard

[olv]

tom-4hcey said:

Can anyone recommend anyone in the Kent area to check this or is it worth the journey to Bamford Rose or DAE?

DAE can’t do this level of work in house so don’t take it there.

Do you actually suspect you’ve got a valve shim that’s gone out of spec that needs sorting? If your engine isn’t making any odd noises the leave it well alone, it’s not a service/maintenance item like the period checks of a BMW S54 engine. If it is making noises you want addressed then Bamford Rose are good at this stuff specifically.

[JA.Aston]

Incorrect, we do. Only did it to the latest car a few weeks ago and found tappets out of spec which were addressed and noise now gone with tappets all back to factory spec. Glad yours got sorted 👍🏼

olv said:

DAE can’t do this level of work in house so don’t take it there.

Do you actually suspect you’ve got a valve shim that’s gone out of spec that needs sorting? If your engine isn’t making any odd noises the leave it well alone, it’s not a service/maintenance item like the period checks of a BMW S54 engine. If it is making noises you want addressed then Bamford Rose are good at this stuff specifically.

[Calinours]

tom-4hcey said:

Thanks I’ve heard about them, I’ll give them a try. Did you have an aftermarket exhaust then? I have a vantage s bit standard

Yes, I had decent equal length manifolds (no pre cats) and 200 cell cats. That lot made the car quicker at the very top end (maybe 20-30hp on the peak) but for me (and yes I know it's subjective) the noise was never quite as good as the standard V8S set up. A bit too muted with valves closed and a bit too noisy/harsh with them open.

I put it back to standard for export.

[Emilio Largo]

olv said:

DAE can’t do this level of work in house so don’t take it there.

It would be interesting to know where such "alternative facts" originate from?

[olv]

Emilio Largo said:

It would be interesting to know where such "alternative facts" originate from?

My own personal experience. They are a great place with amazing facilities, good expertise and services, supply good products and I'm a happy customer of theirs but serious engine stuff they seem to (and this is my experience as of 2 years ago so things may have changed), take the engine out and send it to Bruce the engine guru. They didn't catch a well out of spec exhaust valve shim on my engine and suggested taking the engine out to investigate further. I took it for a second opinion at BR and they sorted it without any fuss.

We're spoilt for choice for good Aston independents in the UK, so many good options across the country but I do think some places have earned a reputation for particular expertise and based on paying out my own money to diagnose engine issues, I'd take it straight to BR given the choice again. Just passing on my own findings

I absolutely love my Nitron DAE suspension, probably the best change you can make to the cars.

[olv]

JA.Aston said:

Incorrect, we do. Only did it to the latest car a few weeks ago and found tappets out of spec which were addressed and noise now gone with tappets all back to factory spec. Glad yours got sorted 👍🏼

Ah good glad to hear that, I stand corrected!

[tom-4hcey]

Just popped up to quantum works Aston Martin specialist that are local to me. They are really helpful guys. They said it sounds normal. Maybe just the injectors or me being over paranoid.