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Valve Clearance

  1. Check and adjust valve clearance with engine cold. Drain cooling system. Remove throttle body for access to valve cover. Remove valve cover and gasket. Rotate crankshaft pulley in direction of engine rotation so crankshaft pulley groove aligns with "0" mark on timing chain cover and cylinder No. 1 (front cylinder) is at TDC on compression stroke.
  2. Ensure 1-dot and 2-dot timing marks on camshaft sprockets are aligned. See Fig 2. If timing marks are not aligned, rotate crankshaft pulley in direction of engine rotation one full revolution (360 degrees).
  3. Ensure valves on cylinder No. 1 are loose. Using feeler gauge, measure and record valve clearance of intake valves on cylinders No. 1, 2 and 4, and exhaust valves on cylinders No. 1, 3 and 5. See Fig 5.
    NOTE: Check and adjust valve clearance with engine cold.
    Fig 1: Removing & Installing Typical Valve Clearance Adjusting Shim
    G94G44236Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
    Fig 2: Aligning Camshaft Sprocket Timing Marks
    G93G78234Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
    Fig 3: Intake Valve Adjusting Shim Selection Chart
    G96D09511Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
    Fig 4: Exhaust Valve Adjusting Shim Selection Chart
    G96F09512Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
    Fig 5: Cylinder Numbers & Valve Arrangement ID
    G93H78235Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
  4. Rotate crankshaft pulley clockwise one full revolution (360 degrees) and realign crankshaft pulley groove with "0" mark on timing chain cover. Using feeler gauge, measure and record valve clearance of intake valves on cylinders No. 3, 5 and 6, and exhaust valves on cylinders No. 2, 4 and 6. See Fig 5.
  5. Ensure valve clearance is within specification. See VALVE CLEARANCE SPECIFICATIONS  table.
    VALVE CLEARANCE SPECIFICATIONS

    Application (1) In. (mm)
    Intake .006-.010 (.15-.25)
    Exhaust .010-.014 (.25-.35)
    (1) Adjust valve clearance with engine cold.
  6. If valve clearance adjustment is required on any valve except rear valves on cylinder No. 6, rotate crankshaft pulley so camshaft lobe is facing upward on valve to be adjusted. Rotate valve lifter so notch area on valve lifter is toward spark plug.
  7. Valve Clearance Adjuster (SST 09248-55050) is used for adjusting valve clearance. Press valve lifter downward using SST "A" of valve clearance adjuster. See Fig 1. Install SST "B" between camshaft and valve lifter. Remove SST "A".
  8. Using small screwdriver and magnet, remove adjusting shim. Using micrometer, measure thickness of removed adjusting shim. Using measured clearance and adjusting shim thickness, determine correct thickness of adjusting shim to be used. See Fig 3 and Fig 4.
  9. Install proper adjusting shim. Using SST "A", press downward on valve lifter and remove SST "B". Recheck valve clearance.
  10. If valve clearance adjustment is required on rear valves on cylinder No. 6, manufacturer states to remove camshafts for access to adjusting shim. See appropriate article in ENGINES in section.
  11. Using small screwdriver and magnet, remove adjusting shim. Using micrometer, measure thickness of adjusting shim removed. Using measured clearance and adjusting shim thickness, determine correct thickness of adjusting shim to be used. See Fig 3 and Fig 4. Install adjusting shim and camshaft. Recheck valve clearance.
  12. Once all valves are properly adjusted, install valve cover and throttle body using NEW gaskets. Check and adjust ignition timing if distributor was removed. See IGNITION TIMING .
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