Saturday, July 29, 2006

Diesel Mechanic - International DT 466E Valve Adjustment

DIESEL MECHANIC - How To Adjust Valves On An International DT 466E Diesel Engine


The DT 466E diesel engine is the electronic version of the former DT 466. This an engine we diesel mechanics all know and love since they are virtually almost bulletproof with a fantastic performance record. With emissions standards here to stay International has followed the other engine manufacturers and engineered electronic injection into their design.

The hardest part about working on these diesel engines is getting to the components, especially the valves if it's time for adjustment. The air to air piping has to be removed as well as the doghouse cover from inside the cab followed by the electronic control unit. These steps are required just to be able to reach the valve cover bolts.

Remove the multi-pin connectors at the ECU [electronic control unit] with a 1/4 inch drive ratchet. Remove the round connector going into the valve cover housing.


Remove the 4 bolts holding ECU to the support bracket using a 10 mm socket. Remove ECU and take care it's an expensive component!


Remove ECU support bracket, there is a larger fastener below bolted to the block and 4 valve cover studs at the top side where you have to remove four retaining nuts.


Push the ECU harness connector into the valve cover housing as it will stay with the injector wiring when removing cover.


Remove valve cover, the weight has increased drastically compared to the original non-electronic engines because of the integrated intake manifold that is now part of the valve cover.

Rotate engine until TDC [top dead center] is achieved. There is a notch on the serpentine belt pulley behind the vibration dampner. An arrow and the letters TDC has been cast right into the front cover. Once lined up, the engine valves will be on #1 TDC compression or exhaust stroke.

An easy way to tell is if #1 cylinder valves are both loose and #6 cylinder valves have no clearance, then you know you are on #1 compression stroke. Note: There are 12 valves in total #1 valve being at the front while #12 valve is the last valve at the rear of of the cylinder head.

So if I say adjust #4 valve you just count from the front of the head, the first valve being #1. This makes it easier to explain which valves to adjust.

On #1 TDC compression stroke adjust adjust valves #1 #2 #3 #6 #7 #10 . The valve clearance for both intake and exhaust is .025 in. preferably with the engine cold but that's not overly crucial.

Rotate engine 360 degrees the engine is now on #6 TDC compression stroke. Adjust #4 #5 #8 #9 #11 #12 valves.

Once you have all the valves adjusted you reverse the disassembly procedure and torque the valve cover bolts to 13 ft. lbs. and the 1/4 drive wiring harness connectors at the ECU to 35 in. lbs. The valve cover gasket is reusable but still inspect it for damage or indications of wear.

I hope this helps you out when it's time to adjust valves on your DT 466E Diesel Engine.



Diesel Mechanic

8 comments :

Anonymous said...

thanks so much for the info i will keep your page as a fave for future ref. thanx ERNIE

BRIAN said...

hey john great site!!! ur valve setting was really helpful since our international dealer isn't
i do have a question for you i have a 1997 3 ton in my shop with a 466dte in it and have just put a rebuilt head and injectors in it but it still smokes white badly when it warms up??? any help or ideas would be greatly helpful thanks a bunch BRIAN

Unknown said...

Hi Brian,
Are you going through any coolant or are there any engine codes? Being an electronic system with Hydraulic Unit Injection I would eliminate that first.

Anonymous said...

Hi, Brian I have a '99 built truck with a dt466E on it that is burning too much oil, but no smoking, somebody said to me the injectors need new o rings what do you think Thanks

Anonymous said...

For the guy with the '99 truck w/ the dt466E. Excessive oil consumption could be caused by too much idle time, with no load on it. The pistons and rings aren't expanding enough to seal correctly. Heat causes expansion. It could also be worn rings, liners, uhh turbo seals valve guides. And double check engine again because if your burning oil, you would have blue smoke.

terrylwesley said...

for the guy that has the high oil problem i had the same problem i checked my air tanks for oil that would pass by the piston on my air compresso that was not it so i checked my fuel it was black bingo that means that the orings on my injectors bad so i replaced the injectors and orings why not do it right the first time and be done with it

Anonymous said...

Do you have a DT466E exploded diagram on the air compressor for model# T-29871-8-E?

Dylan said...

Can this procedure be used on a non-electric DT466 ? Thanks