waypoint
Member
Hiya folks. After missing my previous '03 Tundra and '03 Tacoma, I picked up an '07 4Runner Limited as an extra project vehicle. Pics attached showing it and the initial project, I'll update as work continues.
At 163K miles, it had a chronic P0016 bank 1 cam timing error, leaky front caliper, worn-out noisy front swaybar end links. Wouldn't pass NJ inspection and the dealer quoted the original owner $3K just to fix the P0016 code.
1.) P0016 code.
I removed and inspected the little filter tube for the VVTi oil system on the passenger side head, found some sludge but not completely blocked. Cleaned and reinstalled, no effect.
I replaced the VVTi actuator switch on pass side head, no effect.
Finally, I pulled the valve cover and went to town. Removed the intake cam, replaced the $280 VVTi cam actuator as shown in the pics. Also cleaned sludge out of the intake cam oil passages...this may have been the cause of the error code as both VVTi passages were caked solid with sludge. Wasn't putting it back together with the old cam actuator.
I didn't like the looks of the timing chain tensioners for the #1 and #2 chains, so I replaced both and made a huge mistake...used Cloyes aftermarket tensioners. It was Sunday and that was what I could get at the time. Reassembled the valvetrain, verified timing by rotating the crank 2 revolutions and seeing all 3 timing marks in place. Started the engine and things were initially fine, scanner showed no error codes in PENDING status (previously P0016 went into PENDING shortly after startup). Test drive was great, no error codes and no leaks.
After the engine got to operating temp, at idle I'm hearing a rapid clicking noise. Stethoscope finds the source at the front of the passenger side valve cover. Goes away at >1500rpm. Neighbor who works at a Toyota dealer listens to it and says the timing chain is hitting something based on the noise frequency.
So I remove the passenger valve cover again (getting good at it now) and the Cloyes #2 chain tensioner is slightly crooked as shown in the attached pic. Neighbor comes back over and feels the lower chain guide nylon pad, it's got a groove worn into it and danger-close to the #1 chain links...the link pins are bumping it at idle. We loosened, straightened, and re-torqued the #2 tensioner. Spacing between the lower nylon pad and the #1 chain looked the same. Reassembled the engine and re-tested, noise still there at hot idle.
So...I've ordered new Toyota tensioners and will be back into the engine this weekend. More to come.
After this, I'm planning to do the front brakes & swaybar end links (NAPA coated rotors, Adaptive One pads), and then move on to fluids. Power steering flush, trans flush, differentials and transfer case. Fun project thus far!
At 163K miles, it had a chronic P0016 bank 1 cam timing error, leaky front caliper, worn-out noisy front swaybar end links. Wouldn't pass NJ inspection and the dealer quoted the original owner $3K just to fix the P0016 code.
1.) P0016 code.
I removed and inspected the little filter tube for the VVTi oil system on the passenger side head, found some sludge but not completely blocked. Cleaned and reinstalled, no effect.
I replaced the VVTi actuator switch on pass side head, no effect.
Finally, I pulled the valve cover and went to town. Removed the intake cam, replaced the $280 VVTi cam actuator as shown in the pics. Also cleaned sludge out of the intake cam oil passages...this may have been the cause of the error code as both VVTi passages were caked solid with sludge. Wasn't putting it back together with the old cam actuator.
I didn't like the looks of the timing chain tensioners for the #1 and #2 chains, so I replaced both and made a huge mistake...used Cloyes aftermarket tensioners. It was Sunday and that was what I could get at the time. Reassembled the valvetrain, verified timing by rotating the crank 2 revolutions and seeing all 3 timing marks in place. Started the engine and things were initially fine, scanner showed no error codes in PENDING status (previously P0016 went into PENDING shortly after startup). Test drive was great, no error codes and no leaks.
After the engine got to operating temp, at idle I'm hearing a rapid clicking noise. Stethoscope finds the source at the front of the passenger side valve cover. Goes away at >1500rpm. Neighbor who works at a Toyota dealer listens to it and says the timing chain is hitting something based on the noise frequency.
So I remove the passenger valve cover again (getting good at it now) and the Cloyes #2 chain tensioner is slightly crooked as shown in the attached pic. Neighbor comes back over and feels the lower chain guide nylon pad, it's got a groove worn into it and danger-close to the #1 chain links...the link pins are bumping it at idle. We loosened, straightened, and re-torqued the #2 tensioner. Spacing between the lower nylon pad and the #1 chain looked the same. Reassembled the engine and re-tested, noise still there at hot idle.
So...I've ordered new Toyota tensioners and will be back into the engine this weekend. More to come.
After this, I'm planning to do the front brakes & swaybar end links (NAPA coated rotors, Adaptive One pads), and then move on to fluids. Power steering flush, trans flush, differentials and transfer case. Fun project thus far!
