I have a 1994, 4-cylinder Camry that is coming up on 218,000 miles. I’ve babied the car and it is in very good shape, and I do both routine and preventive maintenance. One question I have relates to valve adjustments. The owner’s manual says to do it periodically, but both of the mechanics that I use regularly say that it’s best to leave them alone if they’re not making noise. The motor purrs, and the valves haven’t been touched for more than 100K. Do I keep on trucking or should they be adjusted?
The other question relates to the fuel injectors. They’ve never given me any problem, but I wonder if they’re likely to go bad, given the mileage. Should these be replaced as a preventive measure or, like the valves, are they best left alone if they’re not complaining?
I too have an early 90’s Toyota, a Corolla. Purrs like a top. These cars are really well made in my opinion. They hold up tough as nails provided they are driven with a moderate driving style. Toyota recommends the valve clearance be tested and adjusted as required every 60K I think, but I’ve never done it. Toyota also recommends the head bolts be retorqued. I’ve never done. it. The Toyota fuel injection system is pretty much bullet-proof. I’ve never done anything with the fuel injectors either.
I owned two Corollas of that vintage. I did have the valve clearancence checked and adjusted every 60K miles.
As for the injectors, I ran Techron through the fuel system every October and had no issues iwth them. My Corollas both went 250K+ miles before meeting untimely ends in accidents, otherwise, the engine and trans would have run much, much longer.
Tight valves are quiet. Tight valves can burn.
It seems most Toyota engines don’t have rocker arms, the cam is directly over the valve stem.
They don’t need adjustment as frequently as engines that do have rockers, like most Hondas.
I did the valve adjustment myself on my '75 Civic, '81, '85 and '88 Accords.
They needed minor adjustment every 15K ('75 & '81) or 30K ('85 & '88).
I think you’re running on luck when you go over 60K.
It shouldn’t cost much to just have it checked.
You shouldn’t need valve adjustments any more because the faces are worn down about as far as they can go. That means that the valve lash won’t tighten us like a car with 30,000 miles on it.
Some fuel injectors never stop working right and if one goes bad now it will cost more than the car is worth to change it.
Personally, I feel that a car should be kept at its optimum and that includes valve lash. Most people ignore valve lash or they’re simplyh not aware of it and will never have a problem. A certain percentage can run into problems and by the time the problem surfaces it’s usually too late to do anything about it. This would be in relation to tight valve lash; especially the exhaust valves. Tight lash usually means burned valves and a pricy valve job.
Odds are you won’t have a problem with this at this stage of the game but to each his own.
However, the mechanics who told you the bit about ignoring them if they’re not noisy are misinformed. Circuitsmith is 100% correct in stating the quiet ones are the ones to be concerned about.
As to fuel injectors, don’t worry about them. Replace them when and if one or more of them ever fail.
Doesn’t this car have a timing belt? If it does, the valve adjustment should be checked each time the timing belt is replaced. I wouldn’t go out of my way to have the valve adjustment checked more often than the timing belt is replaced.
I had a '91 Camry 4-banger, and while I never adjusted my valve lash and it purred like a kitten until I gave it to my son at way over 200,000 miles (I foget exactly) adjusting the valve lash on this engine is an easy, almost zero risk operation of modest cost and almost zero risk. In short, I don;t think it’s necessary, but of it makes you feel better I also wouldn’t argue with doing it. How’s that for a totally nebulous answer?
As to the injectors, leave 'em as long as it’s running smooth. If one fails, it will not manifest itself in an other damage, and it’ll be quick and easy to change at that time.
Thanks all for the responses. Even though consensus seems hard to come by, the prudent path seems the best one to follow and I’m going to get the valves taken care of next week. I absolutely love this car and want to keep it as long as it holds together.