Valve Clearance 3.0 Diesel 1KD-FTV Engine

[Gerundivus Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Gerundivus]

I have 2014 150 series with 3.0L (D4D) diesel engine (1KD-FTV). I'm interested to know what the recommended valve clearance is for this engine. Valve clearance is, apparently checked at every 40K service. I would also like to know what symptoms might be experienced (engine performance/sound etc.) if valve clearance is (a) less than and/or (b) greater than the optimal clearance. Cheers, Gerundivus.

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

IMO don't risk unnecessary fuel system contamination. (Not even with capped price).
Don't waste your money, Don't go in every 40,000k. Don't risk it. (if you knew what I know)
We don't find many out, when they are out its not much.
I know of dozens that are out the bit & never been adjusted (exe job).
Check them at 120k, depending what you find when you check them again.
New Injectors for most vehicles at 120k. 2006-2012ish.
2013 onwards we are going by diagnostics alone, because most are full DLC. (lasts longer generally).

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

I'm interested to know what the recommended valve clearance is for this engine. Valve clearance is, apparently checked at every 40K service.

1. Start engine and run until warm.
2. Open bonnet.
3. Stick ear as near as possible to rocker cover.
4. Listen for any excessive rattling.
5. No rattling = valve clearances okay.
6. Excessive rattling and or excessive smoke on start up = valve clearances need checking/adjusting.

Not really ideal, but this how TOYOTA do it!

[Gerundivus Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Gerundivus]

Thanks for tip Prado Buster, will do. I hope this is the protocol that Toyota followed. Since collecting my vehicle from it's 24 month/40,000 (actual travel 27,6000K) capped service (still under warranty) my vehicle drives and sounds different. It drives and sounds like it is working harder and rougher than condition pre-service. I turned my mind to wondering what might have been adjusted, looking at the service schedule "valve clearance" appears a poss. point of (performance) adjustment - there are others that relate to air and fuel filter and differential oil replacements that could be considered. I'm thinking I should take bake to CMI for a "please explain" or inspection process. Bit of a concern when a $64K+ investment returns apparently sick from service. Tks for your tip. Cheers, Gerundivus.

[ozimacca Member Find all posts View Profile Close ozimacca]

Anyone who knows me knows that I am not a mechanic but from reading on here I believe that some Toyota dealers follow the list in the service book but their skills and time are sadly, not up to the job.

I have read that some mechanics check the valve clearances by yanking out the injectors, I have also been told that they can also do it by pulling half the motor apart.

Seems it is quicker to yank the injectors, I certainly hope for your sake that did not happen

[Gerundivus Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Gerundivus]

HI #############. Tks for your feedback. IMO? Also don't quite get your connection between possible "contamination" and valve clearance inspection - what am I missing? I wouldn't think many would "be out" other than those resulting from poor maintenance (e.g. infrequent oil change) or harsh operating conditions. At 27,000K my unit doesn't count on either case. I just hope Toyota hasn't 'fiddled' with adjustment - pls see my response to Bushbasher. Yes, it's under capped maintenance so need to continue with same until at least end of warranty period (another year). I take your point regarding injectors and digital diagnostic surveillance on post 2013 vehicles. You sound quite experienced, are you in the servicing business? Kind regards, Gerundivus.

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

Thanks for tip Prado Buster, will do. I hope this is the protocol that Toyota followed. Since collecting my vehicle from it's 24 month/40,000 (actual travel 27,6000K) capped service (still under warranty) my vehicle drives and sounds different. It drives and sounds like it is working harder and rougher than condition pre-service. I turned my mind to wondering what might have been adjusted, looking at the service schedule "valve clearance" appears a poss. point of (performance) adjustment - there are others that relate to air and fuel filter and differential oil replacements that could be considered. I'm thinking I should take bake to CMI for a "please explain" or inspection process. Bit of a concern when a $64K+ investment returns apparently sick from service. Tks for your tip. Cheers, Gerundivus.

Possible fuel system contamination^

HI #############. Tks for your feedback. IMO? Also don't quite get your connection between possible "contamination" and valve clearance inspection - what am I missing? I wouldn't think many would "be out" other than those resulting from poor maintenance (e.g. infrequent oil change) or harsh operating conditions. At 27,000K my unit doesn't count on either case. I just hope Toyota hasn't 'fiddled' with adjustment - pls see my response to Bushbasher. Yes, it's under capped maintenance so need to continue with same until at least end of warranty period (another year). I take your point regarding injectors and digital diagnostic surveillance on post 2013 vehicles. You sound quite experienced, are you in the servicing business? Kind regards, Gerundivus.

They open the fuel system, remove & bend pipes to get tappet cover off. To get in to check valve clearances that are fine. You can't bend pipes. You shouldn't risk contamination, or damage can be done.

Nobody has to do capped price servicing, it's an option going for capped service.
Slowly sending the vehicle to the wreckers.

Yes, I'm more in the check & replace Prado injectors before the engine pops side of things.
Fixing up previous wreckers damage to vehicles around this specialist area.

[Gerundivus Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Gerundivus]

I see. Thanks #######. Tks for pic - most revealing. Gerundivus.

[Gerundivus Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Gerundivus]

Hi ####. Further to my last reply I have subsequently looked carefully at the Job Sheet from my recent service foray and note that the following parts were used during the service:

PRT 2368130010 SEAL NOZZLE HOLDER 4 (QTY/HRS) $18.24
PRT 2368230020 GASKET NOZZLE HOLDER 4 (QTY/HRS) $18.64

To my naïve mind these parts sound like they relate to injectors and raising the suspicion that, indeed, the injectors were removed (a possibility suggested by Ozimacca - see his reply) or in some way inspected. What is your view?

[Gordon Member Find all posts View Profile Close Gordon]

Well done identifying the performance change. Could be your injectors have been replaced with crap underneath them, fowling the new seals you just paid for. I suggest you take your car to a real mechanic asap to avoid serious engine damage.
(Yes I'm trying to save ####'s fingers).

[reddevil25 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close reddevil25]

They are the rubber seals in the rocker cover
Not the injector sheets or seals
They may have just checked the clearance without pulling the injectors out

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

Hi ####. Further to my last reply I have subsequently looked carefully at the Job Sheet from my recent service foray and note that the following parts were used during the service:

PRT 2368130010 SEAL NOZZLE HOLDER 4 (QTY/HRS) $18.24
PRT 2368230020 GASKET NOZZLE HOLDER 4 (QTY/HRS) $18.64

To my naïve mind these parts sound like they relate to injectors and raising the suspicion that, indeed, the injectors were removed (a possibility suggested by Ozimacca - see his reply) or in some way inspected. What is your view? Kind Regards, Barry. PS: my number is 0438 064 300

Looks like They have removed the tappet cover. Maybe done the dirty pipe removal & bending. Contaminated fuel system perhaps. Its Part of toyota service to physically check valve clearance every 40k.

Well done identifying the performance change. Could be your injectors have been replaced with crap underneath them, fowling the new seals you just paid for. I suggest you take your car to a real mechanic asap to avoid serious engine damage.
(Yes I'm trying to save ####'s fingers).

Let this be a lesson to all.

They are the rubber seals in the rocker cover
Not the injector sheets or seals
They may have just checked the clearance without pulling the injectors out

Probably correct. They need to do it fast!
But that pipe bending & allowing debris into pipes or fall from those nuts on pipes into injectors sitting there.
When you bend pipes there are many issues with that. The big one here is the crap on the nuts sits right above the I let of the injectors. Add some dirt n dust to it.

Pipes usually look like this


You see the water & dirt all falls & collects around the pipes / nuts & some rust & corrosion.
So what happens when you remove the pipes & nozzle holder seals, if your not carefull, the crap can get into injectors.
Or when your putting dirty pipes back on. It all very risky unless you take utmost care & precautions.

[Gerundivus Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Gerundivus]

Hi ####. Your points are well taken. My engine is relatively clean, given only 27K travel and no off-road, but, there is perceptible dust here and there - that notwithstanding, contamination is still a possibility. If fuel contamination, at injector site, what would be, a this stage, the ideal remedy? Cheers, Gerundivus.

[Gerundivus Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Gerundivus]

Oh and a further question to 'what next' after contamination ####. If fuel contamination has occurred at the injector site/s, what immediate symptoms might the engine exhibit? My engine now appears to vibrate more, sounds harsh, and injector rattle more obvious (than normal) and a tapping/knocking sound from rocker cover area sounding like a mal-adjusted tappet or injector noise (of which I have know prior sound knowledge, this being my first diesel engine). Cheers, Gerundivus.

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

Hi ####. Your points are well taken. My engine is relatively clean, given only 27K travel and no off-road, but, there is perceptible dust here and there - that notwithstanding, contamination is still a possibility. If fuel contamination, at injector site, what would be, a this stage, the ideal remedy? Cheers, Gerundivus.

New injectors will fix it, if in fact they are contaminated & damaged.
The job does need to be done properly, clean & procedure.

Oh and a further question to 'what next' after contamination ####. If fuel contamination has occurred at the injector site/s, what immediate symptoms might the engine exhibit? My engine now appears to vibrate more, sounds harsh, and injector rattle more obvious (than normal) and a tapping/knocking sound from rocker cover area sounding like a mal-adjusted tappet or injector noise (of which I have know prior sound knowledge, this being my first diesel engine). Cheers, Gerundivus.

That's about what you would get.

Note: injector issues don't always show up no a diagnostic.