Engine Checking the valves on 1ZZ-FE

Checking the valves on 1ZZ-FE

I went ahead and checked valve clearances on my Corolla and took some pics for good measure (reference for hose locations, etc.)

Wanted to take a peeks and see if things were clean or dirty under there - any sludge, deposits, or varnish - and if the valves needed adjustment (somewhat noisy lately).

Photos:

http://photobucket.com/albums/v620/fishexp...djust Valves/

The pictures speak for themselves - there was some varnish and slight deposits - but nothing to be worried about. Looking at the valvetrain - everything was pretty clean with very little wear on the cam lobes and lifters. The engine has about 105K miles and is about 5K into the oil change (wanted to do it this late in the change - that way I will change oil soon to help remove any dirt or debris that may have fallen in).

Tips - makes sure to blow out the sparkplug holes before removing the plugs and around the outside of the valvecover to help reduce the possibility of dirt falling in. I used a OEM Toyota gasket - cost me $25 at the stealship. Could have used FelPro or others - but wouldn't have saved any more money - plus fitment could have been an issue. Can't go wrong with OEM gaskets.

I disconnected the wire loom, any brackets attached to the valvecover, removed coilpacks and plugs, and moved everything out of the way that could have prevented the valvecover from coming off.

Most of the bolts were 10mm on the valvecover, coilpack hold downs, and for the wire loom. Need a 19mm socket to put on the crank to turn the crank CW to get it to TDC on cylinder #1 (make sure to match up to 0 degree mark on crank pulley) - compression gauge will help, but you can also verify visually by looking down into the sparkplug holes or putting your finger over the #1 sparkplug hole. Once there - you can use tappet feeler gauges to measure clearances (between camshaft lobe and top of lifter) between the intake and exhaust valves on cylinder #1, intake on #3, and exhaust on #2 - then turn the crank over a full revolution to measure the others.

All said and done - the tolerances on the intake were supposed to be between 0.006-0.010 inches and the exhaust to be between 0.010 and 0.014 inches.

I found that all intake clearances were tighter than 0.007 and exhausts were all on 0.010 or less. Basically - nothing was wrong, valves were all on spec. - engine showed very little wear that was also verified with used oil analysis done yearly (UOA). Chaulk up another good engine to Toyota.

Motor oil used - Mobil 1 synthetic every 7500-8000 miles, OEM filters. Never "babied" the car - daily driver, but made sure all maintenance was on schedule. First 30K services done by dealer (free service promotion on schduled maintenance - I did every other oil change myself) - everything after that was done by myself.

woot

You only change your oil every 7500-8000 miles? Man...maybe my engine is happier than I thought

Glad to hear it's in great shape, though..maybe I should check mine sometime..approaching 160k -- lol

Oops, try this:

http://photobucket.com/albums/v620/fishexpo101/1ZZFE - Adjust Valves/

alright i can go to the link now.