Engine lifter clearance

Thank you for the information (very helpful). I understand what I have to do. While I am contacting the dealer to verify if they can provide me with the proper replacement lifters, can you provide me with the procedures for removing and installing the camshafts and get that chain tensioner out of the way in order to lift the cams out and remove the lifters when it comes time?

So, set it on top dead center #1 cylinder and remove the gears then? Are the cam gears keyed to the camshafts or have pins? Does the tensioner have to be unbolted? Any way you could get the actual steps in wording for the removal process? I see the exploded view diagrams and have an understanding of how it goes together. Maybe some step-by-step procedure (in wording) would help a little to remove the cams. Thank you.

I am going to the dealer this week to check on availability of the lifter buckets.

One quick question? I know I have oil in the spark plug tube on this XB when I remove a couple of the coils. Is that usually the valve cover gasket assembly with the integrated seals or is it the spark plug tube fitment to the head area like my older 2.2 liter 1992 Camry I have where I used FIPG to seal it up?

Okay, thanks. I will look into the valve cover gasket seal parts as the culprit.

Also, I went to the dealer today and obtained this information regarding the lifter parts. The sizes of the lifters the parts clerk wrote in pen from the screen information to the side of the part number. They are about $22.00 each. I actually forgot to ask if they are available, but he gave me a printout and did not mention any non-availability with these parts. It appears I should be able to accomplish this repair. Thoughts?

Hi Roy,

As far as the valve cover is concerned, can you give me the replacement procedure for the valve cover because I want to know if Toyota has a torque sequence and special FIPG requirements in a few areas which I think it does. I am asking for more complete details for the steps when I replace the valve cover. Currently, I am in the process of removing the valve cover and I have the plugs out so I can easily turn the engine over and reach TDC #1 etc. What is the orientation of the cylinders 1234 or 4321 when viewing from the front bumper standing in front? I am about to start digging into the top of the engine and I want to ask all of this in advance. I especially need to know where #1, #2, #3, and #4 cylinders are. Torque sequence on valve cover.

Thank you, Roy.

Is there a tightening sequence listed for these? In what order should they be tightened? 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, etc.

Roy,

I have not attempted to loosen the cam gears yet because I have a question since it looks like the bolt doesn't have enough space to come out once it starts to be loosened up. I have attached the pics to show. The one smaller gear looks like it will be fine, but the cam gear that is more rearward has a bolt that is very close to the engine casing in order to remove. Have you actually done this before to confirm that I will have no problem removing the cam gears? Notice the limited spacing at the aft cam gear bolt to engine casing?

Kenny,

Thanks for the information! I also would like the torque sequence to bolt down the valve cover, please. I assume there is a bolt tightening order. I know the torque; I need the order of tightening.

I checked the lifter clearances and although a few were high on the exhaust side, they were right at the high end of the range and within spec. I think I will be looking at the timing chain, tensioner, and guides. The clearances that I measured for the lifters did not warrant removing the camshafts. I was asking all of these questions to prepare to do it as I was obtaining the feeler gauges to check the lifter clearances. However, since the lifters I feel are okay, I will look at the chain and associated tensioner components since I have noise still. Thanks again in advance for the valve cover tightening sequence.

Okay Roy,

i am wondering if there is a specific diagram with the order to tighten the bolts with a picture showing which bolts to tighten in order. Is there a torque in steps? Do they have a step-by-step procedure like everything else? I can use sound judgement and tighten in the middle and work outward, but I am curious if there are actual steps in the service manual?

Okay, Thank you Roy and Kenny,
With your help I am now comfortable that I can do a good job replacing the valve cover gasket now that I determined that the lifter clearances are with spec. I still have a clicking sound which I will try and focus on the timing chain tensioner and/or the serpentine belt and tensioner. For now, I need to put the car back in service while I figure out/ rule out the serpentine belt and also the timing chain. Are there any good threads on this subject yet? For this thread, I basically removed the valve cover and checked the lifter clearances. I was so confident that the lifters were the problem, but I feel that they are in spec and not the problem. Thanks for helping thus far as I had to prepare for the worst scenario of changing out the lifters with new ones, but in this case, it was not needed, but the noise is still there I am sure once I button everything back up since I did not change anything other than the gasket on the cover.