In near future(couple weeks) I am doing the Timing Belt service, Would you recommend doing Valve Clearance check before or after doing timing belt. Also would you want the specs closer to being tighter or on loose side. Example: Intake is 0.20 - 0.24, set it closer to 0.20 or 0.24? Thanks in addvance.

 

On the loose side is better. Do they need adjusting? Are they noisy? Tight valves will lower gas mileage and could help set a code-check engine light on.

 

No noise, just being on safe side. Plus want to see how clean/dirty valvetrain is. Also while I have the intake off might try to get it powder coated. Now looking on page 3-8 of Shop Manual it says "Inspect Valve clearance(cold)(see page 6-8). Otherwise, adjust only if noisy." If its not noisy why go thru tearing it apart to check if your not going to adjust? Now I'm in the air on this one, argh!!!

 

Doesn't matter before or after as the valve clearance won't change, but engine needs to be cold.
I'd set them at .20 mm as the leeway of .20mm -.24mm is only .001 of an inch, or .008-.009.

 

Yep, SM says heads need to be lower than 100F. And before or after won't make a difference. I did mine before because I was waiting on FEDSUX to deliver my TB kit a day late.

I set mine at between .008" and .009" (intake) and between 0.011" and 0.012" (exhaust) using the go/no-go method.

I'd be surprised if a .001" difference (intake, .008" vs. .009") or even a 0.002" difference (exhaust, .011" vs. .013") setting would make a noticeable difference in gas mileage, but maybe Acutech will elaborate on his statement???

FYI, my intake valves were loose and my exhaust valves were tight (all the valves were at about 0.010") before adjustment.

 

Dealers don't adjust unless there is an issue, if they aren't noisy when warm, don't bother. look in the oil cap to see how clean, if it's sludging up, there will be evidence there. Don't forget to clean all the EGR ports if you pull the intake plenum.

 

Tight valves= greater chance of burned valves. If loose, they will be noisy. In the middle of spec is how they should be adjusted.

 

Can someone point me in the direction of valve adjustment DIY for 08 TL-S?