Hey guys, first post on the forum. I have been reading it quite a bit when I need to do maintenance and it has inspired me to do it myself with is great. Saving a ton of money. I was inspired by an overpriced diagnostic with plug replacement.

Anyways, I changed my valve cover gaskets yesterday and during reassembly I dropped a bolt and while looking for it on the skid plate I saw a fair amount of oil residue all over the block and down on the left head at the rear. Looks like it is coming from the head gasket so I assuming that is the problem. I was tired so I will have to inspect further and make sure it is not coming from higher up as the valve covers were leaking just not nearly that bad. The oil is also clearly not from the rear crank? seal.

I have a friend who works with me who use to work as a mechanic so I have no doubt that I have access to the tools and skills required for the job. My main question is, as he is a ex Mopar mech, what brand of gasket set would you recommend?

My 4runner is a 98 3.4L V6 with 305K kilometers on it. So about 190K miles. I do not want to spend a ton of money on the gaskets. I am eyeing up a couple.

There is a "Rock" set for around $200 which seems reasonable but never heard anything about them.

Also, I can get a ishino set for $400 which is a little higher but if it will pay off in the end may be worth the few extra hundred.

Maybe I can get away with not buying a set and just get two head gaskets and few others? But by the looks I will be close to $200 in the hole either way.

I recently changed my plugs, valve cover gasket, and timing belt. Unfortunately I get to basically do it all again.

Any thoughts?

Cheers,
Mike

I would test to make sure you have a bad head gasket first. Can your friend get access to anything for a compression test or leak down test? You can also use a vacuum gauge to diagnose your issue. You will have to search for some write ups on how to use these tools if you can get access to them or maybe your friend will know. Good luck and welcome to the site!

Just did mine about 2k miles ago (very similar time on the clock). If everything is running fine and you're not having to add oil and water I would keep driving it until you get a rough idle at start up. This is usually a hint that the end is near (30-45 More days).

Toyota gaskets are surprisingly well priced, check there first, they have kits too. You'll want the metal gasket, not the composite (composite is likey what the truck came from the factory with).

Good luck... Not hard, just takes time.

PM w/ questions.

If you really suspect your head gaset, and dont have easy access to the tools Mr.D is talking about, just clean the area below the spot you think is actually leaking really and check it for fresh oil over a period of time. Do you have oil in your radiator or are you blowing smoke from your exhaust? If so what color? Are you having to constantly top off your coolant? These are all additional diagnostics for a possible blown HG. Im currently in the middle of this job myself, here's a link to my photo timeline.

Check that the rear cam plug is not leaking on the back of the valve covers near the firewall.

Thanks for the quick reply guys.

I am working so will explore a bit more tonight.

All fluids are fine. I check them every time I fill. I will do as someone suggested and wipe some of the block off just to confirm the area. From what I remember the oil had leeched up a bit of the dirty build up on the block from the gasket and has leeched down and splattered on everything below that. The original gasket looks almost felt and is quite saturated.

Either way I well take a look and talk to my buddy about the compression test.

If it is the head any other after market companies any good? Toyota parts here in alberta are very overpriced. I got my timing belt kit on ebay for $200ish all oem, a water pump from the dealer cost $180 for just an example.

Mike

Don't get too ahead of yourself. Chances of it being a head gasket a pretty damn slim.

Thanks for the help today guys. I got under there today and cleaned/wiped up as much oil as I could. I will keep an eye on it over the next few weeks. I had a hard time cleaning the back side of the cylinder head. Tight up against that fire wall. I will assume that if the oil is staining the header just above the block that it is the cam seal as I just did the valve covers yesterday.

Maybe the valve covers developed a more rapid leak over the past month or two and it went unoticed through the cold weather up here and then cycling between freezing and heating up through operation? Possibly cold enough to cause enough contraction in the cover and gasket for the leak to become worse. Not sure, that would be a relief.

Either way I need to find out for sure. I want to get about 190k outta this thing. I think I'm driving one of the oldest vehicles around here and I'm proud. I am very careful to keep an eye on the fluids especially since my engine is due for something to give. Knock on wood. The coolant was replaced with the timing belt done in the fall, the oil has never needed a top up since my oil pressure sensor cracked and dropped the whole block on the driveway. And no black or white smoke in the exhaust.

Chris when do the main seals usually give? I had a 91 celica before this and it was around 150k miles when the seal went, mind you I ragged on that engine as I was just a teenager.

Cheers guys,
Mike

And Diagram14 that is a great write up, thanks.

When my driver’s side rear cam seal went it was an overnight thing. And she was flowing the next morning, so your suspicion of a progressively worsening leak is very plausible.