Valve Adjustment - Fair Price??

[tomlite]

Local dealer quoted $ 625 Labor + 24 Shims @ 9.17 ea plus 6% tax.

Another Dealer quoted $ 300 to $ 350 depending on the number of shims I needed.

I would like to go with the lower price but think that the price will become realistic when I get there.

I posted a request about a month ago for a reference for an independent shop in the S.E. PA area, but received no reply.

And I am still considering taking off a Friday to do the job myself.

I would really like to hear everyones comments.

Thanks

1997 LX450

 

[tucker74]

Valves are a real PITA in the 1FZE due to the overhead cams - the second quote looks more realistic from a $tealer. The first place must have been smoking something - oh ya, you have the LX (funny how those emblems make everything more expensive :). Buddy of mine had it done for around $250 at a local specialist - I'd think twice about doing it if your not comfortable tearing in there...

Good Luck!

Tucker

 

[cruiserman]

It depends on your salary as to whether it's worth it to take a day off or not. I would at least check the clearances yourself, since you don't have to remove the camshafts to do that. Let the rig sit overnight before pulling the valve cover. Then you can decide what to do if some of the clearances are out of spec.

 

[tomlite]

Thanks, I was going to buy a Valve Cover Gasket and a Throttle Body Gasket. Do I have to remove the throttle body to get the Valve cover off. Also, if I did remove the throttle body, does the coolant leak out??

 

[cruiserman]

Valve cover gasket is your call. It's probably fine. I would not bother with a new throttle body gasket. It's metal.

A small coolant hose attaches to the throttle body at the rad side. You can pinch it off or just let it drip a little. You won't lose much. Pay attention to the tranny kick down cable placement. You may need to loosen the heater valve assembly from the firewall to get the valve cover off/on. Put some heat tape around the wiring loom that passes near the EGR valve pipe.

 

[mabrodis]

[quote author=tomlite link=board=2;threadid=16927;start=msg164388#msg164388 date=1085589017]
Thanks, I was going to buy a Valve Cover Gasket and a Throttle Body Gasket. Do I have to remove the throttle body to get the Valve cover off. Also, if I did remove the throttle body, does the coolant leak out??
[/quote]
I'm going to do the valve clearance check here sometime...not sure if you HAVE to have the valve cover gasket, or throttle body one but I got both, combined about $20 from any Toy place with a discount...worth it in my opinion.

I have the writeup from Alldatadiy.com on my webpage on how to do the clearance check if you are curious:
http://www.colorado4x4.net/tech/4.5LValveClearance/ValveClearance.html

I plan on taking a bunch of pics when I do mine and doing a full writeup.

Good Luck,
Mark Brodis

 

[sleeoffroad]

You also need the spark plug seals. We replace both valve cover gasket & spark plug seals when we check valves. Checking is about 2 hours. Adjusting is more and no-one can quote you since they don't know who many need adjusting. Also no way you are going to need 24 shims. If it is only a couple, then you can get the shims out without removing the cams. If you need a bunch adjusted, easier to remove the cams. From checking lots of truck, I would guess you are still in spec unless you have a ton of miles on your truck.

Also, needs to be checked cold. So it has to stand for some time before they do it.

 

[robbie]

Christo did not mention as to why replace the spark plug seal. If they have high miles they will be hard and once distrub they will leak. Most trucks with a 100 k miles all the valves have been fine. If the # 6 valves are out of adjsutment does the cams need to be removed. All the other can be had with the SST that toyota sells. some of the other Makers of tools that sell the tool like Toyota's will not work, the tool that pushes the valve puck down is too thick.
If me doing my own job, I still would get spark plug hole seals. valve cover seal. The Throttle body gasket can be reused if all is ok, some times the Paint( i will call it coating) flakes off, sometimes all is ok. if the coating is flaking then you may have a bad seal. If you do not want to get the gasket, then clean and use some FIPG on the gasket for better sealing. later robbie

 

[Rookie2]

What do you all use for cleaning the throttle body? The FSM indicates Carburator cleaner. Reading a previous post, someone recommended fuel injector cleaner, saying the carb. cleaner was to harsh.

Thanks,
Rookie2

 

[cruiserman]

I used my parts washer with Stoddard solvent to clean the throttle body (and intake, etc.).

I didn't bother replacing the spark plug tube seals on my rig. Although IIRC the gasket kit came with a new throttle body gasket, so I did replace that once.

 

[Beowulf]

>> Put some heat tape around the wiring loom that passes near the EGR valve pipe. <<

... and handle that wiring loom very carefully. Don't go yanking and tugging on it.

-B-

 

[RavenTai]

I already have the TB, valve cover, PCV, IAC and sparkplug gaskets, was planning to tear it apart check the valves if good reassemble with new gaskets if bad reassemble with old stuff and order shims and the tool for another weekend

Has anybody tried wrapping the EGR tube with fiberglass insulation (exhaust wrap)? Is the tube removable with the valve cover and TB already off?

Anything else to check wile this is all apart? Can you inspect the chain slipper from above with the valve cover off?

 

[Lars]

[quote author=RavenTai link=board=2;threadid=16927;start=msg164650#msg164650 date=1085610202]
Can you inspect the chain slipper from above with the valve cover off?
[/quote]

The moment I took my valve cover off it was apparant there was a problem with the chain slipper. You should be able to see if it is broken but might not be able to see if it is just starting to crack.

 

[RavenTai]

I see, IIRC you had a long thread about all of that I'll find it

thanks ,


EDIT

dam search,
word: chain
user: Lars
all forums title or message
720 days
display 6000 results

0 results, WTF? Lars just said chain in the post above 20 minutes ago ??? ushually when this happens I can try it several times and it will eventually give results but not this time, I'll try again later :-\

 

[Beowulf]

RavenTai,

I believe you've hit on one of the "undocumented features" in the Search routines for this forum. It appears Lars' ID is too short. I searched as you did and came up with nothing. I searched "chain" and RavenTai and got your posts so it has to be something with his UserID.

FYI, I've run into that bug searching here before. Maybe Lars will change his ID to "Lars-o-wulf" so we can search on his posts?

-B-

 

[Beowulf]

RavenTai,

Try this:

Keywords: Larry slipper (Leave the author field blank.)
80 Section, 600 days, 600 posts.

Fortunately, Larry signs all his posts with his name so this appears to work. "Larry chain" may also get you what you're looking for.

-B-

 

[Riley]

At the risk of further hyjack... the more complicated searches really don't work. I also have a theory that there is a bug regarding usernames. I think Lars has an original name which shows up in PMs and such. I bet searching on that might work. I think YABB gets confused and some functions are wired to the original name not the current/displayed username.

Perhaps the new software will be better for searching.

 

[PHAEDRUS]

I think Riley is on to something as his pm posts still show as benie bj60 when I go to reply to him.
FWIW I like Riley better.
Dave

 

[Beowulf]

Riley and fAvE have it!!!!

Lars' user name is "eight-oh"

Search....
keyword: chain
Author: eight-oh
80 section
600 days

and you will get all his posts with the word "chain"

Thanks guys!!!
-B-

 

[Riley]

DAve - My old BJ60's "name" was Benie (named after that goofy guy on LA law many years ago). The truck sorta looked like that guy. I hate coming up with names and such. Riley seemed easier and unlikely to be in use.

I always wondered if my old name was showing up on PMs.

Such bad software... good bye...