Play in rocker arm during valve adjustment and throttlebody cleaning question

[Average Jazz enjoyer]

Hi everyone, today I set about doing a valve adjustment, for the first time. After pulling the valve cover off, and setting cylinder 1 at TDC, I got to work. Valve 1 (the left valve) on the intake side was within spec, so naturally I went to see if valve 2 (the right valve) on the intake side was within spec. Here I noticed that the rocker had some minute “play” in it. Which wasn’t present on the other intake valve, nor the exhaust valves for cylinder 1 at TDC.
To see what I mean, I have found a YouTube video of another guy doing a valve adjustment, with the exact “issue” as me. See the video from the timestamp or from 9:53 min in, link is underneath.

As I understand now from seeing that YouTube video, and reading some other forums, the rocker is just a little loose and needs to be adjusted, nothing more serious than that. In the video that I have linked I can’t exactly understand what he does to adjust that specific valve.
Which is the question I want to ask you guys and girls. I don’t want to do an improper job on that valve, so when there is play like that, do you lift the rocker up, stick the feeler gauge, adjust the nut to spec, let the rocker "fall" back down and then torque it to spec?
In the linked video the guy does as I have just described, so I assume it’s the way to do it.
To add I still have the sparkplugs in, and the cylinder could be very slightly off TDC, as the car is on an incline due to being on jackstands. Could this affect the rocker in any way? Tomorrow I will double check on level ground if the cylinder is on TDC, but I’m 99% sure it is.
Ultimately, I just think I’m being paranoid, but I would love to hear your thoughts on this tiny issue.

Thanks in advance.

PS: I have the throttle body exposed and can see some carbon deposits. Can I use Liqui Moly carburetor cleaner on the throttle body, and if so, can I only clean the surrounding area and avoid touching the flap with a micro fibre cloth?

[Lord Voltermore]

Hi.  My experience of adjusting valves is limited to much older engines on non Honda cars.   My initial thought  was that the valve clearance  gap is always because of a some 'play' in the rocker arm.  If the  gap between the rocker and the valve stem  is zero  (which is wrong) there will be no play.  If the gap adjustment is correct there will be a tiny amount of play  without a feeler gauge inserted, but virtually none with the correct thickness of  feeler gauge inserted . When the adjustment is correct  the guage should just be able to move , but you can feel its a tight fit.    If the gap is too large there will be a noticeable amount of play without a feeler gauge inserted, and still  noticeable play with the guage inserted.  You adjust it until the guage is a tight fit -ie its not trapped between the rocker and the valve stem , you can still pull it out  but it 'feels noticeably tight.   Thats the correct adjustment.  Once you remove the guage  there will again be slightly more 'play' in the rocker  - because there is a gap.   

I viewed the video to check  things arent different on a Honda,  but he is saying basically the same.  A rocker that is looser than the others is not a fault as such, it just means this gap is bigger some others and needs more adjustment.  Thats the point of adjusting the valves.     

The technique for adjusting the gap is also the same as on my old cars.   Loosen the lock nut. get the adjustment right using a screwdriver on the adjuster bolt  and then hold this steady  with a screwdriver when tightening the lock nut so turning the lock nut doesnt  move the adjuster . Check the gap hasnt altered after initial tightening of the nut, and check it yet  again after you have torqued the nut to its correct tightness.   

He briefly showed the technique for getting TDC on each cylinder  by markings on the timing chain.  These markings must line up exactly for each cylinder's valves if the gap is to be correct.  If you leave the spark plugs in  the compression of the engine makes  rotating  the engine difficult and it  may resist stopping in exactly the right position.      I dont think  having the car on axle  stands would make any difference.

I hope this helps  .

[Average Jazz enjoyer]

Thanks you for your response, im happy that it is nothing major. I will continiue wiht the adjustment then, i have the confidence after you reply.