RAV4 Maintenance - "Inspect" Valve Clearance?

The owner's manual for my 2001 RAV4 says to "inspect" engine valve
clearance at 4 years / 60,000 miles. My trusted independent mechanic
says that the book calls for 8 hours of labor, and suggested that the
Toyota dealer might be able to do it cheaper. Failing in that, he
said that he recommends checking clearance when the valves get noisy.

Question 1 - I have never heard of "inspecting" valve clearance. When
I worked on my old solid-lifter machines, we just called it "adjusting
the valves". Is this just Japanese lingo, like using "packing" for
what we call "gasket"?

Question 2 - Also from my old car experiences, we didn't worry about
the valves being a little loose, but if they were tight, a valve could
get burned. If I remember correctly, loose valves are noisy, but
tight valves don't make any telltale sound. Am I at risk for burning
the valves if I don't get this service done?

Question 3 - The maintenance schedule does not call for a timing belt
replacement. Is this because of engine design, such as use of a chain
in lieu of a belt?

Thank you for your advice.

Jim W.

Norfolk, VA

there is really no need to check the valves. they are buckets and can only
be changed by replacing the entire bucket and taking the cams out. Also 8
hours is REDICULOIS! that is probably to remove the cams to set the
clearance. The only typical thing that will change valve clearance is
carbon, but if it runs ok and isnt noisy dont worry about it. lastly that
car has a timing chain, so you never need to worry about changing it for
maintenence. Just change the oil every 3,000 miles or 4 months. And change
the trans fluid every 30k.

"toyotawiz" wrote:[color=blue]
>there is really no need to check the valves. they are buckets and can
>only be changed by replacing the entire bucket and taking the cams
>out. Also 8 hours is REDICULOIS! that is probably to remove the cams
>to set the clearance. The only typical thing that will change valve
>clearance is carbon, but if it runs ok and isnt noisy dont worry[/color]
about[color=blue]
>it. lastly that car has a timing chain, so you never need to worry
>about changing it for
>maintenence. Just change the oil every 3,000 miles or 4 months. And
>change
>the trans fluid every 30k.[/color]

I agree, I put 220k on and 91 Camary and never had to adjust valves on
it even though it was called for and it still ran fine at the end when
it was in a wreck. Do not give it another thought.

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