2.7l 3RZ owners questions

It's not that difficult at all. Don't let Rick scare you. Once the valve cover is removed it takes about 30 minutes at the very most to complete. And yes, you need to warm up the engine to operating temp before you start removing the valve cover. The engine won't cool down fast enough to cause an error in readings.

And yep, misspelled it there. 3RZ-FE is the right designator.

 

Okay I'm gonna try it this weekend with help from someone else too..so I noticed under the hood it says cold clearance and warm clearance...so if I checked it after sitting over night it wouldnt be correct?

 

Not sure. IF there is an actual listing for cold clearance, then you could check it without warming up the engine. All of my paperwork only shows a reading for a warm engine.

 

Under my hood at the top left corner there is a white Toyota sticker with tolerances for intake and exhaust valve clearance on cold engine.

 

OK, then you can check it cold.

 

I'll do either way just want a correct reading lol and also will I be able to see timing chain and tensioners with the valve cover off?

 

With the valve cover off you can see the chain, and the tensioner, yes.

 

This may sound like a complete stupid question lol but is there a way I can tell if the tensioners are worn/not operating as they should? Toyota told me the noise I hear on warm start up is possibly a worn tensioner that needs to build pressure back up however they said its nothing to worry about but it bothers the hell out of me

 

Manually turn the engine over and feel for slack on either side of the chain.

 

Mine has got 215k, or there abouts, on it. From what I have noticed about these motors, or truck really, is that are a little cold natured.
Mine will start up fine, little noise coming from the valve train until it gets warm. And the manual tranny it hard to shift until it warms up a bit.