Hi folks - just bought a '97 4-Runner (157K miles, excellent shape). Have owned/loved 2 FJ-40's in the past - love the new rig too. What's the groups experience re: valve adjustment intervals. Not sure they've ever been done on my 4 Runner, but they are quiet (no ticking).

 

If the valves aren't making any noises then don't worry about it.

 

Never done my '99 (131K). Not planning on it, either.

 

I don't meant to sound blunt.... but i have one word for your question.... NO!



Nah but um...

Does the trucks seem to miss? Hesitate? Stumble? Loud valve clacking?

No?

Then no worries. Toyota has time intervals for these valve adjustments... but its one of those things thats not ever really needed unless you have to pull the head off for some reason and you remove the valves.... Unless that happens you don't need ever to adjust them it will be fine.

Don't listen to anyone who would tell you otherwise either.

If they are clacking have you checked the oil level? A lil low on oil will leave the valve train under lubricated seeing as how it is the last thing to get oil in the engine.

 

It's a very tedious job that requires special service tools. You must also measure the clearances, then go and purchase the correct shims for each valve in need of adjustment. It's not something I want to do anytime soon.

 

Thanks for the replies re: valve adjustment. It's not making noise, runs smooth and strong, so I'll leave it alone. I've also got a vintage Alfa Romeo (1963) Spider....which also uses overhead cams, inverted bucket "lifters" and shims under the buckets, on top of the valve stems. The cams and buckets have to be REMOVED to change the shims, then reinstalled and cams retimed. A serious PITA, which I've done a couple times, until I had hardened seats installed in the head.

 

thats very misleading. If they are too tight you wont hear them. I'd rather hear them then deal with pulling the head to replace a burnt valve. I don't know the factory recomended interval, but would guess 60,xxx or 80,xxx or even 100,xxx miles.

 

I agree with the others above, don't mess with them unless you have a problem. You could easily open a can 'o worms and create an issue by messing with them. I started getting a slight miss for a few seconds after startup and my plugs, wires, coils, injectors have all been replaced or serviced within the last year so I'm ~99% sure it's a valve that needs adjustment (the waveform on the diagnostic computer helped to confirm this). Valves will go out of adjustment, but mine took 14 years. I think I'm going to go for a full rebuild though since I have a local shop that will do it for not much more $$ than just a valve adjustment and they have a 3 yr. warranty too.

 

I asked the Toyota Master Tech about this the last time I took mine in for service, and they said if it isn't making any noise, you don't need to adjust them. Apparently the 5VZ-FE rarely, if ever, needs this done.

 

they are self adjusting. no need to maintain them, other than motor oil
at recommended intervals

if you do mess with them, pay 10 bucks for 1 day access to techinfo.toyota.com and get
the engine manual so you can get it together 100% with no guesswork (alldata, haynes, chilton..all garbage compared to actual toyota docs)

 

[QUOTE=BigBallsMcFalls;51595034]they are self adjusting. no need to maintain them, other than motor oil
at recommended intervals

QUOTE]

Can you prove this?

 

[QUOTE=vital22re;51595240]of course not... I meant no need to adjust, only measure and replace shims when out of spec.
I boned up by saying self-adjust. but there is not much to adjust, just replace shims
and maybe the cam if it is worn badly. but I've seen high miles and not need for any adjustments

 

My wifes 4Runner has 202k on it and the valves have never been adjusted. I never touched them on the two 3.4 tacomas I had either. But I do them on my hot rod 2F just about once a year. I honestly have never even had a valve cover off a 3.4 to look but I'll bet it is a bucket and shim arrangement. I did those on a 4AGE in an MR2 once and it sucked.

 

Theres no such thing as a self adjusting poppet valve... unless you own a newer beamer...