Hi. i have a 1999 Mazda 323f with 74000 miles on the clock. It passed the MOT in August. It still has the original exhaust system would you believe. My query is about valve clearances do they ever need checking? The engine runs very smooth and i change the oil and filter every 3000 miles because i do a lot of short journeys. If they ever need checking what are the clearances and sequences. Is it a difficult job to do?
All the best
digap
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Hi, for more specific answer provide more information about the engine, please.
Wrote like that we have to guess.
Cheers!

Hi,
The manual says Inspect every 48 months or 60,000 miles.
There is a procedure for replacing the shims if the inspect measurement yields a problem.
If you need more detailed information then please let me know what you need, and of course which engine you have, as mentioned by mazzda above.

Hi. The is an SOHC unit. I don't think it needs shims. When looking in the oil filler opening i can see one rocker and it has a lock nut and a slotted adjuster. And if i decide to adjust them where can i get a valve cover gasket?
Dighap

Ah, you have the 1.3 SOHC 16-valve engine (code B3). This engine uses one camshaft but with 12 cam lobes operating 16 valves via rockers.
(Sorry, I was previously assuming it was a 1.5 or 1.8.)

Yes, you're right, the rockers have slotted adjusters on the end, but I'm unfamiliar with this engine, so I'm sorry I can't give detailed procedures..
You can get a gasket from many places, just Google it using the engine code B3, but make sure it's for a 1999 16V model (because this B3 code was used for the engine in previous models and 8V mode).

Pictures here on an ebay listing, Item number 123598948291 if it's still "live":-

Hi digap,

I'm not sure I'd bother with this valve adjustment unless the car is giving you some big warning signs that something's wrong with the valves.
Like, is it rattling badly at the top end? Is the engine giving power loss symptoms?
Eliminate everything else first!
After only 74,000 miles it should be fine if it's had all the oil changes.

The sequence on most engines is to make sure the piston is at TDC on the firing stroke, so the valves will be closed. Thus cylinder number 1 will be like this if cylinder number 4 is "rocking" (exhaust just closing and inlet just opening) and vice versa. Same for paired cylinders 2 and 3.

Hi digap,

Here is the procedure from the manual for a 1.3 8-Valve, the 16-Valve should be similar.

If this is the engine "B3" and the year is 99'
than the valves must be at 0.25mm when engine is cold.

Hi. I won't bother to check them,the car runs just fine. Incidentally the days are numbered for these old cars. The government does not want old cars on the road. So enjoy them before they are legislated of the road.
digap