Valve adjustment at 260k

Am I wasting my time to attempt a valve shim adjustment on a 3rz at 260k or should I just run er till they burn and replace the head?

 

Absolutely check and adjust the valves. Why wait until it requires an unnecessary and costly repair?

Mine was at about 350k when I checked and adjusted them for what appeared to be the first time. The engine was significantly smoother and quieter afterwards.

 

I'm waiting on a remanufactured engine for my 01 from yota1 (poorly maintained and rode hard at 300k still trucking) and my 97 is very special as I'm working it over for my dad. That's the one that's at 260. It has a intermittent almost un noticeable "poof" at idle. I've been on the fsm diag loop with it and am having a hard time finding its cause especially with no codes and perfect drive ability. It's like a time capsule seriously it's in immaculate shape. I planned on doing a compression check this weekend and if it's in spec I'll do the clearance inspection. How many miles have you got on your truck now?

 

Taco owner friend in CA(2.7L 225k miles)
Went to tackle same job while back
Said he barely adjusted
He was more worried that ‘trying to get perfect’ he messed something up
Everything fine afterwards….
Basically said was perfectly fine for 225k
(Freaking original clutch too)

 

I just finished the clutch on the truck in question. Let me see if I can find pictures of what I pulled out of that thing oml I don't see how it drove at all. It would do fine for about 40 minutes then insane chatter at takeoff.

 

I’m pushing 360k now, it was just last fall that I decided to check the valves. My truck is an old farm truck prior to my ownership, so it’s definitely had a rough life as well. Still chugging along and pulling 18-19mpg on 35”s. I had a couple valves that were hella loose and a couple that were fairly tight. Was able to adjust most with just rearranging the current shims and only had to buy about 4 or 5 shims. I’d say it’s definitely worth at least checking. Even if the compression is a bit off that could be valve adjustment related.

 

lil update
Started texting with my CA friend about his new house renovations and his car projects on hold…..

Friend has 3.0L
With 410K miles
But I remembered his story accurately
No ‘big’ adjustments done

I’m not saying don’t check VC
I am saying, when he described his story, I COULD NOT BELIEVE.
But he is more of a gear head than me…..I believed him and was flabbergasted.
I knew then (2-4yrs ago)that these Tacos are bulletproof
(If maintained)
Made me start looking
Man I lucked out as a ‘new’ owner of a 96 1st Gen

 

100% check the valves! Pretty Easy to do and most of the time I had luck moving my old shims around like the fella in the post above. Just good measure to do so on a older engine in my book. Usually the valve covers leaking a little by that time so might as well right?

 

I have a 2RZ with 167k, when would you guys recommend getting them checked?

 

For everyone of you who check your valves......999 dont....

and there has been no collapse of the kingdom.....

I would not bother checking unless you're in there for something else....
or you start hearing noise.......

This is one of those things that they way over engineered them.

It could be completely different if you live up north.....cold starts and what not....
or a service vehicle with frequent starts/stops....or hard on it.....or over heats....

For every 500 cracked heads I hear about......maybe 1 or 2 burnt valves.....


This is where taking that egr off .....can cause a run-away heat build up....

its the valve that takes it in the ass.....weakest point...
well at least the metal bridge between the intake and exhaust valve in the head....
you know ....the ones that keep cracking.....


Once you get above 250K .....I'd start making plans....on getting in the head anyways....
toyota didnt waste money on BS parts.....respect what they did....



I'd be more concern about the egr valve and its correct operation...
meaning you have to take the intake plenum off every 120K or so and clean the throat, the pcv port, temp port, and egr hole.....

maybe the reason these are getting cracked heads after 150K....

 

Do remember ....if you pull the VC off.....

the only safe thing to do is pop out the half moons and completely rtv em back in...

dont roll the dice there.....

 

Well, that's what I really needed to hear. Getting the shims is the pita part. Apparently toyota ones are only in increments of 5. I have the fsm and it has the formula and the charts. Also interesting to note I emailed yota1 and they said that they set their heads up with pretty big shims for room for future adjustments. It seems like THIS is THE issue for these engines and apart from fluid changes is what determines the life cycle of the original engine.

 

I got a few kinds of permatex on hand for these kinds of things. When I put the vc back on my 87 22r one time I dropped the rear half moon in the yard. Test drove the truck and couldn't figure out where or why my entire drivetrain was soaked in fresh oil....used a mirror and seen the huge hole then realized. Luckily I found that thing In the gravel and drenched it with rtv when I put it back

 

Make sure you use high temp/oil gas resist.....

Permatex Ultra Black Maximum Oil Resistance RTV Silicone Gasket Maker 3 oz. - 75190 - Walmart.com

 

Where u get shim at? I see them online I'm just curious

 

This I have a big ass tube of.

 

Everywhere.....

LC Engineering Toyota performance parts and automotive products. (lceperformance.com)

 

....

 

Yes, I have this chart. I need the sst (a and b)and a quality micrometer. As for this weekend I do already have a set or 2 of feeler gages. I can get thru step 7 of the fsm valve clearance adjustment. Figure my shims and when they come in finish.

 

In theory the newer heads they advertise as thicker.....may just allow for thicker shims...

its the exhaust one that runs out of room eventually......

I bought a hand full of the no1 and no2 knowing this....

Street Valve Shim (2.50mm) - 2RZ/3RZ/5VZ (Stock Bucket) (lceperformance.com)

GENUINE TOYOTA LEXUS 1375374030 VARIOUS MODELS SHIM VALVE ADJUSTING 13753-74030 | eBay