Had 70,000km service on the Troopy 1HZ today, interesting to say the least.
Background:
Manufacture/rego 1997/98
First owner – Vic Govt - sold after 3yrs and 30,000kms.(Aug 00)
I buy it and develop into a pop top camper and some over next 4yrs.
Serviced every 5000km religiously ensuring new oil and fuel filters etc. (authorized book
services)
One major mod is a DTS turbo. Installed Oct 01.
At time of Turbo install and the aforementioned
services, I repeatedly queried the need to ‘check the tappets’. Was told on each occasion by different techo’s – No need as it is ‘only a youngster and still running in. Don’t need to check the tappets at least until 150,000kms.
Current:
Had a conversation with ‘Roachie’ recently during which the subject of tappets arose and he was adamant that they should be checked.
Sooooooooooooo! Prior to the aforementioned 70,000km service I instructed/negotiated/directed my way through the usual resistance to checking the tappets, and it gets done.
Guess what! 9 of the 12 valves had 0 (zero) clearance, including all inlets.
Can’t repeat what I said and still keep thinking off..
Anyway at this stage there isn’t any BAD NEWS. The service boys are of the opinion that even though they couldn’t get a feeler gauge into the appropriate space, they reckon there was an óil layer clearance’ which may have saved the day.
Whatever it was running very
well before (or so I thought) and now it runs a tad smoother and spools up a bit quicker.
This is just another experience story, however I must say a big
THANK YOU to Bill Roachie (Roachie)for making me get off my butt and insisting on having the subject item checked. And If I hadn't been a member of OZ/EX and met Roachie (and others) then I would still be in the 'dark'so to speak. So it really is a valuable resource in many ways to 4WD drivers.
All those things Pesty said about you Roachie, are not true at all.
And I am not saying what it all cost.
Regards
Ken Robinson