AE111 20v 4age hydraulic lifters and not shims & buckets

[Dopamean]

I was always under the impression that the blacktops were shims and buckets but now after investergating a tappet like sound I've been told that theres not enough oil pressure to the 4th hydraulic lifter.

News to me, but at what point should I call it quits.
I'm going to get stung because I went to Toyota for the job.
Bearing in mind a new engine is under 2k and this job in labour looks like an easy days work not including parts + the fact I'm a tight dutchy.

Where does one draw the line and say stuff it and a whole engine goes in.
I don't think I'm there yet but it's borderline.....

Or would the more sensible thing be to drive it until it dies?

[Mr Revhead]

they most certainly are NOT hydraulic lifters. whos telling you they are?

[Bling]

If you want advice, at least help us out by telling us the whole story

I can't even work out what the situation is....

[Dopamean]

Browns Bay Toyota Servicing - Derrick.
So the parts people are telling him that :S

This was the first I had heard of that myself only through here.
God, I went to Toyota because I thought I would be getting the best for my car.

In the end I guess a cars a car and a mechanic is a mechanic’s can't find anyone with the gifted touch for the 20v anywhere....

[Dopamean]

If you want advice, at least help us out by telling us the whole story

I can't even work out what the situation is....

I've been told the 4th hydraulic lifter is not getting enough oil pressure and hence "flapping" up and down making the tapping noise.

[Bling]

As Revhead says, they don't have them. So just don't go back to them.

Whose telling you that and why are they telling you that? Did someone just yell out as you drove past them? Or did you have some problems and wanted to get it looked at? Car died for no reason? Got a flat spot in the rev range?

Only guessing here, so again, whats the WHOLE story behind this thread?

My 20v makes all sorts of noises, has done the whole time i've owned it.

[Dopamean]

As Revhead says, they don't have them. So just don't go back to them.

Whose telling you that and why are they telling you that? Did someone just yell out as you drove past them? Or did you have some problems and wanted to get it looked at? Car died for no reason? Got a flat spot in the rev range?

Only guessing here, so again, whats the WHOLE story behind this thread?

OK OK You caught me LOL.
I had the VVT pulley replaced as per my earlier thread.
For around a month I had no issue and the engine was running mint - I regularly service.

So I was on my way to pick up the girlfriend and I took the motorway cursing at 4k the whole way.

When I came home I noticed a tapping sound, very similar to the sound of noisy tappets - I'm familiar with that sound.

So searching the forum I came to the understanding the blacktops have shims and buckets.
After taking it to Toyota and they cracked open the rocket cover and performed some tests they came back and said that there is no evidence of any damage under the rocket cover and that most likely the build up of gunk from being in the land of the rising sun when an oil change is blasphemy, most likely the hydraulic lifter has become somewhat stuck in its movement and that there is not enough oil pressure to the forth
lifter.

So its a case of a full days work to test to pressure on the oil pump and if that’s fine they will need to replace the lifter.

And to do all this they need to remove the cam so hence a full days work.
Now I'm technical minded but I’m no mechanic.

I took there word for it but have yet to go back since.
Thanks freaking goodness I haven't.

I have a wonky eye and a nervous tick and a cut on my second finger.
I hope you have enough to go on now

[Bling]

See now that wasn't so hard was it?

Was it a loud tapping sound or minor?

I'm no mechanic, but unless it was loud I would have just ignored it Engines will make strange noises some times, some times its nothing, other times its bad. I also refuse to take off my cam cover as 99% chance I know whats lurking beneath, and its not going to be pretty!

Either way its costing you money now, just hope they sort it soon to save your wallet.

[Dopamean]

Its not in there at the moment.

And what they were saying did not sound right to me hence the post.
I owe them for like 2.5 hours of work.
I doubt they will get that out of me now.

If it were a minor tapping noise I would not worry about it.
Can anyone suggest a shop faimilar with these engines?

[Petrolhed]

North Harbour Auto Service Center.

Don't know if they are familier with the 20V but they have been my mechanics for yonks (one guy is my old automotive teacher) and they replaced the gearbox on my AE111 for me. Pretty good dudes

[Dopamean]

Thanks Petrolhead, I appreciate this kind of feedback.
You may have assumed I'm on the shore but I'm not.
I went to browns bay because one of the guys there had done a homer for me in the past.

Anyone recommend someone in Central Auckland?

I've heard Tama Autos is good (West Auckland) but they are geared towards performance rather than standard stuff, I could be wrong though..

[Bazda]

Firstly you need a mechanic to check the tappet clearance.
If one of them is out then this will need to be re shimmed.

We all the tools to re shim and size them correctly.
I guess most mechanics will just buy a new shim to bring it back up to the proper clearance.
We have heaps of shims at out workshop and a shim grinding tool as well to get the size perfect. I actually spent all of last Sunday rebuilding a blacktop 20v head and getting all 20v clearances to factory specs.

Give me a PM if you want the details on where to take it.

[Mr Revhead]

ask them for a pic from the EPC of the part they are trying to sell you. and the parts they want to inspect

and post them up here. seriously, i want to know wtf they are on about

[Dopamean]

:lol: ask them for a pic from the EPC of the part they are trying to sell you. and the parts they want to inspect

and post them up here. seriously, i want to know wtf they are on about

Um, I don't want to shame any mechanic publicly here, I don't think it would be good karma.

The guys at that shop told me that they had not seen a 4age BT come through in years and years - I guess that’s testament to the engine?

After they checked it out, they called parts in Albany and they said there was two variations in the engine.
One with Shims and Buckets and a later version which has hydraulic lifters.
As I said before this did not sit right with me and the price they charge per hour I was not impressed.

Thanks’ to the helpfulness here I'm gona go check out Bazda's old man and see if he can do me right... no pun intended,

I'll get the part numbers there talking about and post up.

[Mr Revhead]

well, two huge warning signs to never ever go back there again.

no variation of 4AGE (or A series that I know of) ever had hydraulic lifters

[Dopamean]

Off topic but good luck on selling the car Bazda, I would buy it if I had the coin

[Mr.Phreak]

Um, I don't want to shame any mechanic publicly here, I don't think it would be good karma.

Surely any negative would be balanced out by the positive of preventing someone else going through the same experience?

[Mr Revhead]

it would be good to see what they are trying to sell you
as there seems to be 2 possibilities

a: you are dealing with a complete and total incompetent idiot.

or

b: you are dealing with a criminal

[xsspeed]

Off topic but good luck on selling the car Bazda, I would buy it if I had the coin

its for sale?

[Dopamean]

Off topic but good luck on selling the car Bazda, I would buy it if I had the coin

its for sale?

Sorry I must be confused :S
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motor ... 661966.htm

"Surely any negative would be balanced out by the positive of preventing someone else going through the same experience? "

I guess theres truth to that