Valve Clearances

Hi There Nick, yes they are bucket and shim. Thought I would get them checked as Toyota had always serviced it I doubt (going by service receipts no mention of adjustments) very much they would have ever taken the covers off so thought I better get them checked. Regards Steve M

call toyota for a time quote. they have all that service stuff on computer. they will tell you how much and how long it will take.

Hi There Kroozer, I dropped mine off yesterday afternoon so that they could work on the motor cold first thing this morning. He had to take the inlet manifold off mine to get the passengers side rocker cover off. He rang me at lunch time to give me the results of the clearances. He then had to get some new parts, rocker cover gaskets x 2, another one cant remember where it was for, he also had to replace the seals x 6 around where the spark plugs go down into the rocker covers as the old ones had gone hard, and he replaced the plugs while he was at it (didn't really need to but I asked him to) all genuine parts. $195 labour and parts were $135. Was allot cheaper then some of the other places I rang bar the mechanic at Seven Hills I mentioned, virtually the same price. Had they needed to replace or machine the shims it obviously would have cost more. I would reckon yours would be cheaper as you don't need to take off as many parts and you would only require one rocker cover gasket and also obviously no spark plugs to replace. I think for memory the 1hz just has the inlet manifold running over the rocker cover ??. Worth getting done I reckon especially on a diesel after the difference between my old hilux (diesel) way out of spec and the prado (petrol) in spec as to how the clearances had changed. Both the hilux and the prado were done at the 170k Regards Steve M

G'day Steve,

just curious, are you running PULP or RULP? Mine is sitting at 223k and is run on PULP. Put 60L of RULP in it last week, pinging away around 2 thou, maybe the computer needs to adjust to it. Otherwise, running sweetly as it has always.

Hi there Mr bushfix, na mate just run the RULP, I was told running premium is a waste of money in the prado as it doesn't have an oxygen sensor so just pumping good $$$$ out the exhaust. I'm not sure how true it is but since been told that just stick to the standard stuff. Never had any issues with pinging or any thing. I did hear that the computer will compensate running the PULP but will take about 4 tanks before the computer will adjust itself. Could explain your comment about the pinging. I'm putting mine on gas on the 13th of next month, this was the main reason for getting the clearances checked so I don't have any issues with burnt out valves. I am adding a flash lube kit as well just for an extra precaution but have spoke to allot of people over the last 3 months since thinking about the LPG and 99% said they should have done it earlier. I will lose the 90L main and get in its place a 83L gas 67L usable so will lose a bit of long distance range and a tad of ground clearance. I am keeping the main tank they pull out and going to mount under the new 4x4 off road trailer, so will have an extra 90L reserve on trailer. Then if need be can carry a few jerry's as well on trailer. See how it all pans out. Regards Steve M

valve clearances should be measured while hot

Sam,
On the Prado, clearances are measured cold.

Sam as Phil has said, cold. Even in the service manual says cold. When I had he lux they gave specs for hot or cold but it was also done first thing in the morning cold, same thing dropped it off day before. Regards Steve M