Valve shim adjustment / removal on 3.4 v6. Anyone got the tool?

[Torrie 72 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Torrie 72]

G'day all. I'm planning to do the valve shim check and if necessary replacement on my V6 Prado. I don't know if mines ever been done and it's now at 185k. It looks like a cow of a job but more time consuming than overly difficult. However knowing my luck I'll need to replace some shims so I thought I'd look into getting the special tool for the job. Toyota stealer wants $117, snap on $85 and I've seen a few from the states but I was wondering if anyone out there has the tool they would be willing to loan for beers. Preferably in SA.
Meanwhile I'll keep looking for a better price.
Cheers Pradopointers,
Ben.

[4x4ed Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close 4x4ed]

Hi Torrie,

I've got a 98 GXL and had them checked at 220,000 and found to be all perfect to manufacturers specs. A lot of work to check them though. My Prado has been serviced every 5000km since new, and no LPG.

[Torrie 72 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Torrie 72]

Cheers 4x4ed. Yeah I'm half hoping the shims are in spec so I don't have to pull them out + buy new ones yet half hoping they do need replacing which might result in the recovery of some lost HP and economy!
Had a couple of mechanics recommend just pulling the cams. Ah what's another couple of hours.

[4x4ed Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close 4x4ed]

Hi again Torrie,

You say your MPG is taking a hit, well here's my story...

Prado impeccably maintained, serviced every 5000km including regular MAP sensor cleaning. My 2 daughters worked at Safeway while at school, so got in the habit of using their petrol.

Last year Prado was suffering from bad MPG 14-16 MPG around town, the worst its ever seen, but over the last couple of months the wife has changed her shopping to Coles, so we have been filling there. The amazing thing is that my MPG have returned to normal 16-18MPG, but didn't really think anything about it until a week or so ago when I filled up at a big Safeway servo.

Well I had only gone a matter of a kilometer when the motor start pinging VERY badly (enough for me to take my foot from the accelerator to stop it). Too late, the damage is already done. The knock sensors will keep retarding the ignition timing until all knock has disappeared, thus leaving your car running sluggishly and MPG drop badly.

What a disaster, 159 litres of crook fuel. So I purchased 2 bottles of Nulon octane booster ($40) and put this into both tanks and I can notice the pep is back, but won't really know until I fill up and check the MPG.

I work in the motor industry and can say that 90% of people who complain about poor running etc. seem to be using Safeway petrol, coincidence? I don't know. But definitely will personally stay away from Safeway from now on.

[bonesy Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close bonesy]

Not sure if you've already found tools or not but you could contact these guys

http://www.precisionshims.com.au/a/P...hims-Australia

I bought the shims for mine through them, toyota wanted $16 per shim and these guys had them for just over $6 each, they also sell the pliers and wedges...found this out after I made a set. I'd get the tools, the job only took about 3 hours with them.

[Torrie 72 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Torrie 72]

Cheers Bonesy, I've contacted the shim guys and am waiting to get a price on the tool. Great to know there's somewhere cheaper than the Toyota stealer! Phew! After looking into it a bit more, I really don't want to pull the cams out! I'll hopefully get the tool soon as I need to get the job done before the planned simpson trip!
I'll let you know how it goes and if it all results in some economy improvement!
Cheers, Ben.

[Torrie 72 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Torrie 72]

Got the shim tool on the way - $33 + $11 postage! Great! Thanks again Bonesy. I'll get stuck into it this week and order the shims I need from these guys once I know what I need.
Precision Shims.

[Torrie 72 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Torrie 72]

Well I got the tool from precision shims - what a piece of sh1t! Made of thin sheet metal it just folded each time I tried to use it! I ended up using a large flat blade screwdriver which worked a treat, was quick and easy, and didn't damage the shim. Sent the dodgy tool back and got a refund ( less 2 x postage).
Found the exhaust valves on numbers 1 & 2 slightly tight so I replaced those shims with some slightly thinner. All the rest were fine. Have put it all back together and have noticed a 0% improvement in economy. Although that was the missus driving so I'm keen to see if I can do any better.
On a side note I removed and cleaned out the idle sensor on the throttle body. It was pretty filthy. Now I've noticed the engine returns to a lower idle speed at start up. Dunno if that will improve things overall.
I've also just installed a new MAF sensor I got sent from the states for $90 odd including registered post. 5 days to my door! Seems to work fine, I know it won't make any difference to LPG economy but I'm keen to see how it goes on petrol now. We'll see - only 18 sleeps till the simpson trip!

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

215,000 kays and never been checked. If it idles well, all is fine.

[vbelair8 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close vbelair8]

Hi there. What is a MAP SENSOR??

[williade Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close williade]

Hi there. What is a MAP SENSOR??

I think they mean MAF sensor. Mass Air Flow sensor.