Checked valve clearance...got nasty suprise?!

[komichal]

I have the same engine in my 07 Yaris. Now I am quite curious how my intake camshaft lobes look. (175.000km)
It might be good for comparison.

I can do the important maintenance myself (I have changed oil, plugs, oxygen sensors, throttle body cleaning, brake rotors, shocks... that kind of stuff) but I have never tried to dig deeper inside any engine.
Is it difficult to get to the camshafts in this engine? Or is it just a matter of removing the airbox, unscrewing a few bolts and you are there? No danger of damaging something that would render the car immobile?

If I can get there I would take a picture for reference.

[tmontague]

Originally Posted by komichal

I have the same engine in my 07 Yaris. Now I am quite curious how my intake camshaft lobes look. (175.000km)
It might be good for comparison.

I can do the important maintenance myself (I have changed oil, plugs, oxygen sensors, throttle body cleaning, brake rotors, shocks... that kind of stuff) but I have never tried to dig deeper inside any engine.
Is it difficult to get to the camshafts in this engine? Or is it just a matter of removing the airbox, unscrewing a few bolts and you are there? No danger of damaging something that would render the car immobile?

If I can get there I would take a picture for reference.

Just google any inline 4 valve cover removal and it will give you a good idea what is involved. It's nothing too crazy but more tuen your typical easy DIY job.

I have seen a handful of 1jz and other japanese 4 bangers with the sake bucket and shim set up and I have never seen this issue before. This makes this all the more strange as it is putting and not typical score marks from valve train wear