TL V6-3.2L (2004)
Valve: Technical Service Bulletins
Engine - New Valve Cotters & Retainers
New Intake and Exhaust Valve Cotters and Valve
Spring Retainers
Starting with '04 model year vehicles, our factories have been switching over to different intake and exhaust valve cotters and valve spring retainers. The
new valve cotters and retainers have a 1:5 angle ratio instead of a 1:4 angle ratio. This ratio change increases the binding force between the two valve
cotters, the retainer, and the valve.
It's important you don't mix these two types of valve cotters and retainers; they're not interchangeable. If you mix them up, you could wind up with a
dropped valve, a thrashed engine, and one very unhappy service client.
The two types of valve cotters and retainers look a lot alike at first glance, but there are a couple of subtle differences if you look really close. The
replacement 1:5 angle ratio valve cotters have two laser-etched marks on top. The replacement 1:5 angle ratio retainer has two dimples 180° apart on the
outside edge.
Your best bet to ensure you're ordering the right parts is to always check the parts catalog for the appropriate part application. It includes appropriate
engine numbers so you can't go wrong.
