Dealer response to valve clearance check

[harkauto]

I have a 1999 4 Cyl Camry that has 154,000 miles on it. I change the oil every 5,000 miles, use Mobile 1 Full Synthetic and the car does not burn a drop between oil changes.

I'm nearing the time to replace the timing belt again and I thought while I had the car in the shop, I would have the valve clearance checked and adjusted if necessary. I sent my local Toyota dealer service department an email and asked them what the additional cost would be to do the valve work. They responded back saying it has been so long they don't remember the last time they did any valve adjustment work on a Camry and said unless the engine is making any unusual loud clacking noise from the valve train to not worry about it. They also said they know of customer cars with well over 200,000 plus miles on them that have never had a valve adjustment.

My problem is ....how do I know what is UNUSUAL NOISE. I do hear some mild clickitty click of what I think might be coming from the valve train, but it is definitely not what I would call loud Clacking noise.
The car starts right up immediately and runs like a top, but I want to be sure I'm not damaging anything with my quite little clickitty click sound.

This response is coming from one of the top Toyota dealers in the state. Are they telling me the truth, or are they wanting to sell me a new Toyota soon down the road?

[Brian R.]

They are correct. Don't get the valves adjusted unless you have replaced a valve train component or there is loud tapping noise. The valve lash on your engine may never need to be adjusted.