Gen 2 need valve adjustment?

How many miles on your Prius?

Has it ever been run low on oil?

 

The 2ZR engine (Gen 3 and onward, but not c) has hydraulic lash adjusters that take care of themselves. Maybe the dealer was thinking of that. The 1NZ engine (Gen 1, Gen 2, and c) does not have self-adjusting valves, and the only way there is to adjust those valves is not very practical (as you can tell by the quote you were given).

Instead of anything adjustable, the engine just has lifters that are sold in 35 different sizes (a matter of microns different). Sixteen lifters are in the engine. If you're building the engine at the factory, you've got bins of all 35 sizes, you select the ones that give the right clearance, and you're done.

If you're doing an adjustment in the field, it's more like: measure the clearance for every valve, calculate how far off it is, disassemble the head and find out which lifter size it is in each position, add or subtract the error you computed to figure out which lifter size you need there instead, order those lifters, wait for delivery, then put them in and confirm you got the right clearances.

If you're in more of a hurry, just order 560 lifters, choose the right ones, and try to return 544 for a refund.

Or find a nice used engine that doesn't make noises, and swap it out, in a fraction of the time.

 

Shim adjustment is galactically more involved/expensive than screw adjustment. Valve adjustment is how aIjustified purchasing a Shop Manual for various Hondas over the years: you recouped the price with the first DIY valve adjustment. It took maybe a couple of hours. You loosen a lock nut and turn adjuster screw while checking with feeler gauge, then tighten lock nut. Dealerships would ask over $200 IIRC.

But screw adjustment is so much easier. Shim adjustment on the 2nd gen Prius, correct me if I'm wrong requires removal of the camshafts? And does that require removal of the timing cover and chain?

Gratefully, the one upside to shim: they're more stable, rarely if ever need adjustment. Maybe best to just live with them, as-is.​

 

Yes camshafts. Possibly not timing cover and chain; there's an access port for the chain tensioner. But yes, a genuine PITA.

And while some engines have lifters of a single size and separate shims for adjustment, the 1NZ has no shims. It's the lifters themselves that are sold in 35 different sizes.

 

The G2 engine has solid lifters like a high performance engine And they are very loud
They were loud when I bought it new
In 12 years I only saw one person replace the shims on this site it’s a big job cams have to come out and then when your all done and the lifters are correct it will still sound like a sewing machine
The only oil I have seen that dramatically quieted down the engine was Redline engine oil 5-30
That what I run and a big difference in sound
Best oil on the market
It’s expensive but to me worth it
JEGS online 4 quarts &10 each free ship
Much much cheaper than lifter replacement
Try it and see.

 

... and of course it has no shims, so the lifters themselves are what need to be replaced to adjust it.

 

I just purchased a 08 gen 2. First Prius I have owned to tinker with. Seller said issue on cylinder 4 but it did run and drive and had a good hybrid battery. Last night confirmed with borescope cylinder 4 has a burnt valve. Nice little pie cut out. Had new aftermarket coils just installed and of course auto lite plugs trying to chase misfire. Looks like now I will be pulling the head to fix it.

 

How are you able to see the valves with a borescope? I have one and going through the spark plug hole all I can see is the top of the piston. Is your scope capable of making a hard right angle in the chamber and even then it would be hard to see since there right next to the spark hole.

 

I have a reverse mirror attachment. Use it all the time works great once you get used to it. I will try and post a picture of the attachment. I will be pulling the head soon. Next I need to do some digging on how to charge hybrid battery while its apart as it might be a side project in my shop.

 

That's cool show me some valve porn please.​

 

I have the photos taken--not the greatest but you can clearly see the pie cut. Just need some more post before I can insert links. Cylinder head will be removed

 

Just post anything a few times to meet that like a period ...