TSB Valve Cover Oil Baffle

[landtoy80]

EG007-02 MAR 02 Valve Cover Oil Baffle - Damage Prevention

What is this TSB?
Anyone have a report on this TSB?

 

[IdahoDoug]

I'm not an authority, but I've heard poor oil change history can clog this baffle and cause oil starvation issues on some vehicles. Not heard it regarding the FZ.

DougM

 

[RavenTai]

From the title alone you would think it was the PCV valve baffle in the valve cover and it sort of is but not for the 1FZ. It is a blanket generic SB for all 1993 to 2003 Toyota’s, tellingly there is not a matching SB for the LX450 so IMO it does not apply to the LC either.

To help prevent unnecessary complications during the oil fill process, no undue load
should be placed on the oil baffle attached to the inside of the valve cover (see
illustration). This baffle is designed to deflect oil and should not be used to support
the weight of heavy oil fill devices. These devices can place stress on the baffle, and
bend or break it during the oil fill process.
All 1993 – 2003 model year Toyota vehicles.
Please take measures to ensure that the baffle is not damaged during the oil fill process.
If it does become damaged, repair it before any collateral damage occurs.

The diagram shows a valve cover where a sheet metal baffle extends all the way to the oil fill hole, on the 1FZ the oil deflection baffle is separate and cast directly into the valve cover itself. I would think it is sturdier that the sheet metal style and less prone to this kind of damage.

Most of us fill our oil from a bottle not a gun on a reel like a dealer or oil change place so it does not apply.

I always wondered what that was for, it obstructs my view of the head. Finally know what it does but still not why? Maybe to keep cold added oil from stressing and possibly cracking the head when hot?