If your rocker arms are loose, it is important to fix them as soon as possible as there are a lot of things that can go wrong henceforth. For instance, driving with a loose rocker arm can cause the intake and exhaust valves to malfunction. Another problem with a loose or broken rocker arm is that the cylinder that is attached to it would be disabled and useless. While you may not feel this while driving, a loose rocker arm can have a great effect on the performance of your engine. Worse still, it puts you in danger as it takes away the privilege of smooth and safe drive. In other cases, a loose rocker arm can cause a misfire. However, other cause of a misfire includes a damaged coil, a plug that needs replacement or a plugged injector. However, some engines may suffer if the rocker arm moves out of position. If a misfire is caused by a loose rocker that has stepped out of place, then it would be visible and could be very disturbing for a driver. Therefore it is extremely important to have your rocker arms fixed if they have gotten loose.
There are many causes that could be the reason behind the loose rocker arms. One of the leading reasons why your rocker arms may be loose is inadequate tightening originally when the engine was manufactured. The other possible cause is looseness as a result of an effort to adjust the rocker arms at some point in the engine’s life. Regardless of the reason leading to a damaged rocker arm, it is important to have them repaired as soon as possible.
Once you decide to fix a loose rocker arm, you can choose to do it yourself or take it to a professional. Most individuals do not have professional knowledge on how to fix a rocker arm. Worse still, handling the issue without the skills can cause further damages rather than make things better. That’s why it is advisable to let a professional fix the loose rocker arms. However, it is always important to ensure you are taking the engine to a qualified professional that knows how to handle the problem with precision. A rocker arm is certainly one of the most important parts of your engine. Therefore, you have to ensure it is working efficiently to ascertain a high performing engine.
If you want to follow the DIY route and are asking yourself, ‘how do I fix a loose rocker arm’ then you should consider this. Firstly, you should have to touch a rocker arm if they are not clacking. If they are clacking and causing a nuisance, then you should start by loosening the rocker arms till they clack. Once you hear the clacking sound, you should start tightening until they quit. It is always important to leave the job for a professional unless you are one yourself. If you tighten the rocker arm too tight, it may cause issues such as loss of power, bent pushrods and possible damage to the valve or piston.