Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
1995 Lexus SC 400FACTORY OEM SERVICE PROCEDURE
Valve Clearance: SC400
- Disconnect negative battery cable. Wait at least 90 seconds to allow air bag system back-up power supply to be depleted. Remove engine undercover. Drain coolant. Remove battery cover, air cleaner cover and air cleaner hose. Remove battery. Remove relay box cover, air cleaner and throttle body cover. Disconnect control cables from throttle body.
- Remove intake air tube between throttle body and air cleaner. Remove wiring covers from engine. Remove timing belt upper covers. Remove throttle body. Remove spark plug wires and spark plugs. Remove cylinder head covers.
- Rotate crankshaft clockwise until cylinder No. 1 is at TDC of compression stroke. Groove on crankshaft pulley should be aligned with "0" timing mark on timing belt cover, and timing marks on camshaft pulleys should be aligned with timing marks on timing belt rear plates.
- Measure and record clearance of intake valves for cylinders No. 1, 2, 5, 7 and 8, and exhaust valves for cylinders No. 1, 4 and 8. See Fig 1-2. Rotate crankshaft 360 degrees. Measure and record clearance of intake valves for cylinders No. 3, 4 and 6, and exhaust valves for cylinders No. 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7.
- Compare measured clearance with specified clearance. See VALVE CLEARANCE SPECIFICATIONS table. If clearance is within specification, go to step 8). If clearance is not within specification, rotate crankshaft until camshaft lobe of valve to be adjusted is facing upward, away from shim.VALVE CLEARANCE SPECIFICATIONS
Application In. (mm) Intake .006-.010 (.15-.25) Exhaust .010-.014 (.25-.36) - Using a screwdriver, rotate valve lifter until notch is at a 90-degree angle to camshaft (perpendicular), facing centerline of cylinder head. Using Valve Lifter Press (SST 09248-05011), press valve lifter downward. Install Valve Lifter Stopper (SST 09 248-05021) between camshaft and valve lifter. Remove valve lifter press. Using compressed air and magnet, remove shim by blowing air into shim hole.
- Select a shim of appropriate thickness. See SELECTING SHIMS at end of VALVE CLEARANCE. Place shim onto valve lifter with imprinted numbers facing down. Press downward on valve lifter using valve lifter press. Remove valve lifter stopper. Recheck valve clearance after shim is installed.
- To complete installation, reverse removal procedure. Use NEW gaskets as necessary. Tighten nuts and bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
Factory Service Tools
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.