2AZ FE Crankshaft timing marks and camshaft timing marks TDC

[Albert Tatlock]

I have an Avensis Verso which has a 2.4 litre 2AZ FE engine. I believe the same engine is in the RAV 4 and Camry. It has done nearly 200k klm on the clock and has lately developed a ticking cam sound. I have am not a mechanic but have done a lot of work on my own cars and consider myself reasonably handy. I have checked the shim clearances and one of the exhaust valve clearances seems to be about .02mm more than it should be, the chain looks in pretty good condition happily.

On the procedure i found on the net, it says align the timing marks before removing the cam to replace the shims. When i align the 2 camshafts with their marks the crankshaft timing marks are no where near the mark and visa versa. The car was low ks and had a full service history when i bought it and I have always serviced and repaired the car myself, so i don't believe the chain has been touched.

Am I missing something? I am scared to start the work and stuff things up just to stop a tapping which doesn't seem to be causing the engine too many problems.

Any advice would be welcomed

[Albert Tatlock]

Worked it out the cam gear has more than one marking I was on I which i think means intake I with my poor eyes had thought it was an arrow and was for TDC