I'm planning to take off the valve cover and check clearances to see if adjustment is necessary. Some questions:

1) What should I replace while removing the valve cover? I'm assuming the gasket should be replaced but what else? What would you replace while the valve cover was off?

2) Is there a special kind of feeler gauge that I need to check clearances? Curved, bent, or just normal straight feeler gauges?

3) How do you turn the engine manually to get it to TDC? Special tool?

Thanks to all on this.

 

What engine are we talking about here?

 

2rz
2.4L
automatic
142K

 

The valve cover gasket as well as the spark plug tube gaskets. There are 4 of those.

Since some spots are hard to get to, I find a mix of both straight and bent worked out well.

19MM wrench on the crank pulley bolt. The timing marks are on that pulley, also. Get at it from the bottom. Look up top for the marks.

 

scuba,

Thanks. I'll get the spark plug tube gaskets too.

What about cleaning. Is there anything to clean while it's off?

Doesn't the intake pipe to the throttle body have to come off? Is there some cleaning in that area I should look into?

 

Yes, anything directly above the valve cover needs to be removed, including the PCV hose, throttle cable, etc.