Mazda engine L8, LF, L3. Manual - part 11

B–24

ENGINE 

Spool valve operation inspection

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the oil control valve (OCV).
3. Verify that the spool valve in the oil control valve 

(OCV) is in the maximum valve timing retard 
position as indicated in the figure.

•

If not as specified, replace the oil control valve 
(OCV).

4. Verify that the battery is fully charged.

•

If not as specified, recharge the battery.

5. Apply battery positive voltage between the oil 

control valve (OCV) terminals and verify that the 
spool valve operates and moves to the maximum 
valve timing advance position.

•

If not as specified, replace the oil control valve 
(OCV).

Note

•

When applying battery positive voltage 
between the oil control valve (OCV) 
terminals, the connection can be either of 
the following:
— Positive battery cable to terminal A, 

negative battery cable to terminal B

— Positive battery cable to terminal B, negative battery cable to terminal A

6. Stop applying battery positive voltage and verify that the spool valve returns to the maximum valve timing 

retard position.

•

If not as specified, replace the oil control valve (OCV).

End Of Sie

VALVE CLEARANCE INSPECTION

A6E242412111E02

1. Measure the valve clearance as follows.

(1) Turn the crankshaft clockwise so that the 

No.1 piston is at TDC of the compression 
stroke.

(2) Measure the valve clearance at A in the 

figure.

•

If the valve clearance exceeds the space 
the tappet. (See 

B–25 VALVE 

CLEARANCE ADJUSTMENT

.)

Note

•

Make sure to note the measured values for 
choosing the suitable replacement tappets.

Standard [Engine cold]

IN: 0.22—0.28 mm {0.0087—0.0110 in} (0.25

±±±±

0.03 mm {0.0098

±±±±

0.0011 in})

EX: 0.27—0.33 mm {0.0106—0.0130 in} (0.30

±±±±

0.03 mm {0.0118

±±±±

0.0011 in})

(3) Turn the crankshaft 360

°°°°

 clockwise so that the No.4 piston is at TDC of the compression stroke.

(4) Measure the valve clearance at B in the figure.

•

If the valve clearance exceeds the standard, replace the tappet. (See 

B–25 VALVE CLEARANCE 

ADJUSTMENT

.)

Note

•

Make sure to note the measured values for choosing the suitable replacement tappets.

Standard [Engine cold]

IN: 0.22—0.28 mm {0.0087—0.0110 in} (0.25

±±±±

0.03 mm {0.0098

±±±±

0.0011 in})

EX: 0.27—0.33 mm {0.0106—0.0130 in} (0.30

±±±±

0.03 mm {0.0118

±±±±

0.0011 in})

AME2226W003

AME2226W004

AME2212W001

ENGINE 

B–25

B

End Of Sie

VALVE CLEARANCE ADJUSTMENT

A6E242412111E03

1. Remove the engine front cover lower blind plug.
2. Remove the engine front cover upper blind plug.
3. Remove the cylinder block lower blind plug.

4. Install the SST as shown.
5. Turn the crankshaft clockwise the crankshaft is in 

the No.1 cylinder TDC position.

6. Loosen the timing chain.

(1) Using a suitable screwdriver or equivalent 

tool, unlock the chain tensioner ratchet.

(2) Turn the exhaust camshaft clockwise using a 

suitable wrench on the cast hexagon and 
loosened the timing chain.

(3) Placing the suitable bolt (M6 X 1.0 Length 

25—35 mm {0.9—1.3 in}) at the engine front 
cover upper blind plug, secure the chain 
guide at the position where the tension is 
released.

AMJ2212E004

AME2212W004

AME2212W005

B–26

ENGINE 

7. Hold the exhaust camshaft using a suitable 

wrench on the cast hexagon as shown.

8. Remove the exhaust camshaft sprocket.

9. Loosen the camshaft cap bolts in several passes 

in the order shown.

Note

•

The cylinder head and the camshaft caps 
are numbered to make sure they are 
reassembled in their original position. When 
removed, keep the caps with the cylinder 
head they were removed from. Do not mix 
the caps.

10. Remove the camshaft.
11. Remove the tappet.
12. Select proper adjustment shim.

New adjustment shim

= Removed shim thickness + Measured valve clearance - Standard valve clearance (IN: 0.25 mm 

{0.0098 in}, EX: 0.30 mm {0.0118 in})

Standard [Engine cold]

IN: 0.22—0.28 mm {0.0087—0.0110 in} (0.25

±±±±

0.03 mm {0.0098

±±±±

0.0011 in})

EX: 0.27—0.33 mm {0.0106—0.0130 in} (0.30

±±±±

0.03 mm {0.0118

±±±±

0.0011 in})

13. Install the camshaft with No.1 cylinder aligned with the TDC position.
14. Tighten the camshaft cap bolt using the following 

two steps.
(1) Tighten to 5.0—9.0 N·m {51.0—91.7 kgf·cm, 

44.3—79.5 in·lbf}.

(2) Tighten to 14.0—17.0 N·m {1.5—1.7 kgf·m, 

10.4—12.5 ft·lbf}.

AME2212W006

AME2212W007

AME2212W008

AME2212W009

ENGINE 

B–27

B

15. Install the exhaust camshaft sprocket.

Note

•

Do not tighten the bolt for the camshaft 
sprocket during this step. First confirm the 
valve timing, then tighten the bolt.

16. Install the SST to the camshaft as shown.

Europe

Except Europe

17. Remove the M6 x 1.0 bolt from the engine front cover to apply tension to the timing chain.
18. Turn the crankshaft clockwise the crankshaft is in the No.1 cylinder TDC position.
19. Hold the exhaust camshaft using a suitable 

wrench on the cast hexagon as shown.

20. Tighten the exhaust camshaft sprocket lock bolt 

Tightening torque

69—75 N·m {7.10—7.6 kgf·m,
 50.9—55.3 ft·lbf}

21. Remove the SST from the camshaft.
22. Remove the SST from the block lower blind plug.
23. Rotate the crankshaft clockwise two turns until 

the TDC position.

•

If not aligned, loosen the crankshaft pulley 
lock bolt and repeat from Step 14.

24. Apply silicone sealant to the engine front cover upper blind plug.

AME2212W007

AME2212W010

AME2212W011

AME2212W006