HLA Maintenance

**mrfunji** · 10-1-02, 1:28

This was seriously the most surprising thing ever. Anyone who ever complains of valve tap, THIS IS WHY.

This will show you how to clean out your rocker arms. It's not very hard, but it's worth it. The rocker arm can be taken off with the head still on the car, and it is documented in my "rebuilding head" project.

Tools need:
- Strong fingers to pull out HLA
- 18 gauge wire

Well, enjoy!

**mrfunji** · 10-1-02, 1:33

The rocker arms just slide off the rail real easy. I figured there was no need for documentation. Just be sure to put them back in the same order they came off!!

Just take your fingers and pull the HLA out of the hole. There is a very tiny rubber o-ring, just try not to damage it.

**mrfunji** · 10-1-02, 1:35

On he top of the rocker arm, there is a really small hole. This hole goes down to the center, and also branches off to go into inside and pressurize the HLA.

**mrfunji** · 10-1-02, 1:38

Take the 18 gauge wire and stick is slowly down the hole. It should fit perfect. It it's a little hard, wiggle it, it's probably getting all the crap out. It will push it all out the end.

After this step, place some compressed air (or mouth in my case

) over the hole and blow. Then, cover the big hole that the HLA goes into, and then cover the hole that the wire is coming out of. You'll probably get even more dirt out.

**mrfunji** · 10-1-02, 1:39

On the bottom of the HLA there are two oil passages. There need to be cleaned using the same procedure.

**mrfunji** · 10-1-02, 1:41

Ok, that should be good for 1 rocker arm, now 11 more to go!!

This was my dirt/carbon pile after ONE ROCKER ARM. I don't know how oil was ever getting there.

*note*, if you plan on installing the rocker arm assembly back in the car right away, before putting the HLA in the rocker arm, fill the hole up with fresh oil, then insert it.

**mrfunji** · 1-2-03, 1:45

Now that you got all the gunk out of the oil passeges it's probably a good idea to clean out your HLA resouvior.

Thanks to AdamTurbo, for providing the following pics and write up.

well i have done this succesfully and so has longboarder with my solution. first of remove valve cover, remove rocker arms, remove HLA,s from rockers.

this is a HLA ,once removed clean thouroughly in wd-40, maybe even let them soak overnight. once they are cleaned, on the back side of the HLA there is a little spring loaded bearing, with something small in size depress the ball and at the same time depress the HLA to remove all old oil and contaminants.

[edit] sorry guys can't find this one [/edit]

**mrfunji** · 1-2-03, 1:46

this pic shows the ball spring.

next step after old oil is removed is to refill with new oil. to do this again depress ball and compress HLA, while compressed submerge it in fresh oil and release the HLA this will inturn fill it up.

thats it now reinstall everything back to how it was.

[edit] sorry guys can't find this one either [/edit]

10-1-02, 1:28	#1 (permalink)
mrfunji Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Cape Cod, MA Age: 27 iTrader: (0)	HLA Maintenance This was seriously the most surprising thing ever. Anyone who ever complains of valve tap, THIS IS WHY. This will show you how to clean out your rocker arms. It's not very hard, but it's worth it. The rocker arm can be taken off with the head still on the car, and it is documented in my "rebuilding head" project. Tools need: - Strong fingers to pull out HLA - 18 gauge wire Well, enjoy!