2000 Sienna Valve adjustment

[hank14]

Our 2000 Sienna with 145,000 miles does not mention valve adjustment in the service interval that I could find. Is this part of the maintenance schedule, or not required?

It sounds like the valves are ticking some on cold starts.

Also, sometimes it feels like the accelerator pedal vibrates rapidly when it is depressed, especially when climbing hills. Any ideas?

 

[RVBtruck]

Typically valve adjustment on factory vehicles is a thing of the past. The vibration could be almost anything, mounts come to mind first or an engine driveability problem.

 

[Hank]

valve adjustment

Alldata has a procedure to adjust the valves. It does not give me a milage interval as to when it is suggested or required. If needed I can print and fax it to you. PM me if you wish.

 

[amrcnbadaz]

the valves are set up with buckets and shims under the cams. You are looking at a real costly procedure to adjust. not to mention a fair amount of teardown. The setup that toyota runs is extremely well done. if the valves are out of adjustment then you have another major issue. they don't just "lose adjustment".

Toyota has admitted a sludging problem with these motors, and I have seen a lot of it! i am not sure of how well you keep up with your maintenance, but this is quite likey the source of your problem. Here is what I would do if I was you. (if you have the ability-no offense) remove the front valve cover. If you are seeing a lot of sludge, then call Toyota's 1-800 customer service number and let them know about it. Be prepared to be able to come up with some oil change receipts. They could very well be willing to repair or replace the motor for you at no charge. we just went through this with one of our customers last week. They had approximately the same miles as you and Toyota has aggreed to replace the motor for them provided they can produce some oil change receipts. good luck!




Ian Campbell

 

[Hank]

I figured there had to be a real explanation. It would seem crude to have to adjust the valves on a modern minivan. Sludge on the other hand will be a problem for years to come. Thans Ian.

 

[hank14]

Thanks for all the replies.
I hate working under the hood on the van, but I can get a valve cover off.
I have read about the sludge issue, but didn't think about it being related to this problem.
I have good service records, but am running Amsoil 25,000 mile synthetic now and changing filters twice a year- I realize this may screw a deal with Toyota, but would expect Amsoil to step up to the plate if there was an issue.
The last time I started it when cold, I had the hood open, and could not hear the noise. I'll try to isolate it to a more specific area of the engine, and peruse the FSM to see what else I can come up with.

I'm half way throught the year with about 9500 miles on my current oil. I'm going to change the filter this week, and I'll save some used oil to send to Blackstone for an analysis.

 

[hank14]

Another question- is the differential connected to the tranny, so that draining and refilling the tranny fluid also changes the differential fluid, or are they separate? I never was sure about that when we had our Avalon, and I think this is the same set up in the Sienna.

 

[hank14]

Bump for the differential fluid/tranny fluid question.

Also, what do you think about this oil analysis?

"Aluminum and copper read higher than averages in this initial sample from your Sienna. Silicon may be from airborne dirt getting past your air filter, and if so it may be the reason for the wear. We suggest checking/changing your air filter. Universal averages for the 3.0L are based on an oil run of ~5K
miles, so your longer oil change may also be responsible for the higher wear.

Your wear doesn't look bad for an oil run 11K miles. The viscosity was high for a 5W/30 oil. No antifreeze or moisture found. We didn't
have enough sample to test for fuel. TBN read 1.4, low."

 

[Hank]

I'd say change your oil more and monitor your air filter more. I would not say that you have an internal engine problem yet.

 

[hank14]

One more time for the tranny/ differential question.

Do they share fluid, or does the differential have it's own fluid reservoir, and need to be drained and filled separately? I have seen the drain plug on the differential, but can't find a fill plug, and haven't been able to see it in the FSM.