2001, V6, 3.4L leaking valve cover

silverghost

silverghost

New member
I need to replace a leaky valve cover gasket that is leaking at the back driverside bolt on the driver side valve cover. Anyone know if I have to take the actual intake manifold off or can I just take the air intake chamber assembly off. I would hate to take off the manifold if I don't need too. Any info would be great.

2001 V6 Forerunner
 
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You have to take off both intake plenums upper and lower,

then the valve covers, thats about it,

pretty straightforward
 
Duhockey said:
You have to take off both intake plenums upper and lower,

then the valve covers, thats about it,

pretty straightforward
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I know you just did yours....did you use a writeup of any kind to help it go faster? I'm going to take the '97 I just bought to a small shop here in town that specializes in Toyotas and have them do the VC gaskets...unless I think I can do it myself in 5 hours or less. That's where a write-up helps: makes it go faster, less discovering things the hard way.
 
quicksilvr said:
I know you just did yours....did you use a writeup of any kind to help it go faster? I'm going to take the '97 I just bought to a small shop here in town that specializes in Toyotas and have them do the VC gaskets...unless I think I can do it myself in 5 hours or less. That's where a write-up helps: makes it go faster, less discovering things the hard way.
Click to expand...

M@D M@X posted some pretty good info awhile back:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/81140-little-help-head-cover-replacement.html
 
quicksilvr said:
I know you just did yours....did you use a writeup of any kind to help it go faster? I'm going to take the '97 I just bought to a small shop here in town that specializes in Toyotas and have them do the VC gaskets...unless I think I can do it myself in 5 hours or less. That's where a write-up helps: makes it go faster, less discovering things the hard way.
Click to expand...

That Madmax one looks pretty good, I couldnt find one before Snowrunner and I did ours. So we just kinda dove in, I had done valve covers and head gaskets before on other cars, but not in 10 years or so.

the hardest part is remembering what tubes went where when you are done, I actually forgot to hook up one hose and forgot a plug (was hiding) initially. no damage done though. also dont over tighten the valve cover bolts. I went to hand tight then a few quarter turns with a ratchet, having a small torque wrench would probably be better. but other than that its not hard.
 
Like Duhockey said its a fairly simple job, just lots of hoses and stuff to remember. I took a quick video around the whole engine compartment with my phone before I started which ended up helping a lot when I went to reassemble. Also, make sure you don't skimp on the gasket kit...you don't want to cheap out there and have to do the whole job again anytime soon. Let me know if you need help sourcing that kit...all in all it should run you around 125 to 150 bucks for all of it. Have fun!
 
silverghost said:
Thanks guys. Glad to hear that there is no need for intake removal. I will let you know how it goes.
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Actually you do need to remove the entire intake. It comes off in two pieces and there are two gaskets involved; one where the two pieces meet and one where the lower piece meets the engine block. When I did mine I removed my air intake as well but I don't know if its absolutely necessary...couldn't hurt and its only a few bolts.
 
Okay now I am confused again. Seems like there are conflicting stories on whether the intake manifold needs to be removed to get at the driverside valve cover. Anyone else have a thought or experience with this?
 
silverghost said:
Okay now I am confused again. Seems like there are conflicting stories on whether the intake manifold needs to be removed to get at the driverside valve cover. Anyone else have a thought or experience with this?
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Sorry for the confusion. Let me see if I can find the TIS image cause I think the confusion is coming from what we're calling the parts. If I can't find that image I'll take one of my engine and mark the parts I'm talking about.
 
I know I need lessons in picture editing, but this is the part that comes off in two pieces, requires two identical gaskets and is necessary to remove in order to get to the drivers side valve cover bolts. I thought it was called the intake manifold, but looks like it might be known as the intake plenum. Does that help?
 

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Alright Fonerunner, this makes sense now. Thanks for the picture and clarification. This is good news for me. Thanks for the help. Gonna try to tackle it next week, just wanted get the right gaskets.
 
Madmax had a good parts list going for all the gaskets. I know a place here in Atlanta that has the best prices on the whole kit. If you have time for them to ship then I would recommend them. If not, then the dealership is the only other place I would get that stuff...ACC Toyota Truck & Land Cruiser ask for Will and tell him I sent you from T4R...

P.S. If you get into it and need phone support, just PM me and I'll help out if I can.
 
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I have experienced these leaks from the valve covers. 3 weeks ago, I was advised to just tighten ( just enough) the bolts holding the covers as they loosen over time. True enough, the bolts were loose. Loose enough for me to tighten to full circle of my wrench to 1 1/2 turns.

I have cleaned the plenums as much as I can inc the IAC and TB. I have cleaned the leak areas also to see if there will be more leaks after the tightening. So far, the sides are clean of leaks.
 
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FoneRunner said:
Madmax had a good parts list going for all the gaskets. I know a place here in Atlanta that has the best prices on the whole kit. If you have time for them to ship then I would recommend them. If not, then the dealership is the only other place I would get that stuff...ACC Toyota Truck & Land Cruiser ask for Will and tell him I sent you from T4R...

P.S. If you get into it and need phone support, just PM me and I'll help out if I can.
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I was told by some reputable sources that fel-pro gaskets are as good as OEM if they arent the exact same thing renamed.

I got my bolt gaskets and Plenum gaskets from Toyota but got the Fel-pro gasket set with spark plug gaskets(tube fillers) from Advance Autoparts for way cheaper
 
lekiboy said:
I have experienced these leaks from the valve covers. 3 weeks ago, I was advised to just tighten ( just enough) the bolts holding the covers as they loosen over time. True enough, the bolts were loose. Loose enough for me to tighten to full circle of my wrench to 1 1/2 turns.

I have cleaned the plenums as much as I can inc the IAC and TB. I have cleaned the leak areas also to see if there will be more leaks after the tightening. So far, the sides are clean of leaks.
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I tightened the nuts on mine at 170k, 181k now and no leaks.
 
fixed the leak

Thanks guys for your imput. I replaced the driverside cylinder gasket, spark plug gaskets, rubber pieces on valve cover bolts and plenum gaskets. Cost about $100. Now I have no leaks. Stoked.
 

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