Hello all,
I have a couple of questions hopefully someone can help. I have a 2001 Montero full size, 100,000 miles. I finished the timing belt/water pump, pulley etc a couple of months ago, and all went well.
I am now doing the spark plugs which as you know requires plenum removal. This model appears to be a 2 piece plenem. I figured as long as I am doing the plugs I may as well take care of the tick.
The question I have is on this motor, can I simply loosen the rocker shaft bolts and slide the rocker arms out of the way to remove the adjusters? OR
do I have to get the valve lash removal tool and compress the intake valve to slide the rocker off the adjuster?
Also, has anyone had any experience with ITM lash adjusters or any other after market manufacturer? ie Melling, Beck Ansley? The OEM is expensive but if the aftermarket is no good I hate to do this job twice!!
Just want to get an idea before I started on the teardown. My wife uses it for work so once I start I have to finish up fairly quickly
Thanks
Jack

I replaced my lash adjusters with Melling from Auto Zone. They're still pricey but way cheaper than the OEM parts. Mine are working great. I didn't need any tool to get them out. Just unscrew the bolts on top of the rocker arm shafts. The rocker arms are on the shafts. Remove the shafts with rocker arms still attached, flip over the rocker arms and pull them out, if they don't just fall out. You probably know, but you do have to fill the hydraulic chamber with diesel fuel. I actually used kerosene.

I thought I had a picture of while I was doing it but here's one after that shows the bolts on top of the roker arm shafts.

Here's a picture.

Actually they are not just spossed to fall out. When they do that, its a sign of really worn hydraulic lifters that are prone to premature bleed down. Thats is why they fall out . And yu are NOT suppossed to fill the arm and shaft with diesel fluid . seat all the valve adjuster , the new ones in 0/20 or 5/20 fluid for about half and hour . Put a little reassembly lube on the on the rockers and insert all the valve lifters . After that , reinstall the assemblies and cam covers et. components taken off. It is also good to perform an oil change since yu are removing the cam covers and performing this ervice. Most notable plugs and plug leads also if they havent been done yet.

After reassembly is done . Start and let idel , valve train will have sum noise due to air in the rocker rail near the lifters. Hold the RPM @ 2000-2200 ROM for 30 seconds then let fall to idle for 15 seconds and then 2200 for another 30 seconds , this should help to bleed the air out of the system , if sum valve train tapping is still prevelant , repeat steps or take short road sprint for 1-2 miles with Overdrive off

Right...don't fill the arm and shaft with diesel fluid. I was talking about filling the hydraulic chamber in the valve lifters. I have the factory sevice manual for my 2000 Montero and pages 11B-30 and 11B-31 describe the process of filling your lash adjusters with diesel fuel. It's possible I can scan these two pages if you need them. Sorry for any confusion. I'm no expert. I just followed the directions in the manual. I'm assuming the diesel fuel is replaced with oil when the engine begins to pump oil. When you install the new lifters they should feel solid. Before you fill them with fluid they are springy, where you can compress the spring inside.

Well i was just expressing how we do it in the eastern part of the world. I do not boubt wut yur manual says but i am expressing a more exact way of doing it , as apart frum wut that manual says. putting Diesel fluid in there is not recommended thing to use in part for many reasons , which why i recommended the procedure that we follow for replacing these type of lifters.

Kit Teung,
A little bit off the subject here, but can you look at my other post on ignition timing and see if you can help. I really need some advice on this one. I'm stuck. Thanks!