Can I assume these will all work on a '01 SR5?
3.4 Valve Cover Gasket Replacement (part#s n pics)
- Thread starter Jon
- Start date
Can I assume these will all work on a '01 SR5?
JRZEE2000TR4LTD
Senior Member
Yes assuming it's a 3.4
NoVAphotog
New member
Thanks so much for this thread! Looks like this will be the first job I tackle on her as I'm 76.66% (repeating of course) this oil leak is from the VCG as it wraps around from these points down the sides (188k, original VCG):
Should aim to plugs "while I'm in there" at 188k as well?
Should aim to plugs "while I'm in there" at 188k as well?
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Trailblazer
New member
So I did mine this weekend. Still can't tell if I stopped the leak yet. Previous was leaking badly and what I smelled after initial start up could still be old burning itself off-hopefully!!
Here's what I did as a non-mechanically inclined wrench turner...
-I disconnected the throttle body and left it (and it's hoses all attached). I left it sitting on the fuel rails and it was never in the way.
-I froze the new spark plug tube grommets, used a screwdriver and hammer to bend in the old units and then knocked out from above with zero issue (I did this without bending up the tab. Didn't have anything small enough to get in and bend up with old grommet in place). Once old was out, I used a set of regular pliers to bend up tabs. Then I took new grommets from freezer, rubbed some fresh oil on the edges, and used rounded handle end of screwdriver to knock into place (didn't have socket large enough to place over whole grommet). Then used a hammer to knock tabs back down.
My PCV grommet was dry-rotted and broke into pieces when I removed it. Thankfully it was off the engine and no pieces got into cylinder head. I totally recommend replacing this grommet when doing the valve covers. Get a new PCV valve as well!! Mine was pretty sketchy - even with just 130K miles. No idea if it was original or not. Lots of oil in plenum.
Definitely replace spark plugs and wires when the covers (and plenum) are off! This was SO easy!! I didn't have a service history from previous owner, so after putting 15K miles on, I decided to do everything new when doing valve covers.
The drivers side valve cover was a stone-cold beyotch!!! There was a piece of metal in place that prevented the easy removal of the valve cover. It looked to guide one of the wires away from the engine block and manifold. I had to unbolt that from the cylinder head before I could remove the cover. Passenger side was straight forward. Cam seals were EASY! Half moons are what my nightmares will be comprised of over the next few days. Easy to pull and replace, but I can see them easily leaking if the FIPG wasn't used properly. I ordered new ones and will just have to wait and see if they leak.
The whole job took me ten hours, including about 30min each for lunch and dinner. It was very tedious, but every time I got irritated and wanted to quit - I thought of the $1000+ quotes my local stealerships quoted me. Hopefully it works and I won't have to redo it!!
I hope this helps anyone else that may be concerned with their wrench-turning proficiency. If I can do it-anyone can. Just give yourself plenty of time and beer!
Here's what I did as a non-mechanically inclined wrench turner...
-I disconnected the throttle body and left it (and it's hoses all attached). I left it sitting on the fuel rails and it was never in the way.
-I froze the new spark plug tube grommets, used a screwdriver and hammer to bend in the old units and then knocked out from above with zero issue (I did this without bending up the tab. Didn't have anything small enough to get in and bend up with old grommet in place). Once old was out, I used a set of regular pliers to bend up tabs. Then I took new grommets from freezer, rubbed some fresh oil on the edges, and used rounded handle end of screwdriver to knock into place (didn't have socket large enough to place over whole grommet). Then used a hammer to knock tabs back down.
My PCV grommet was dry-rotted and broke into pieces when I removed it. Thankfully it was off the engine and no pieces got into cylinder head. I totally recommend replacing this grommet when doing the valve covers. Get a new PCV valve as well!! Mine was pretty sketchy - even with just 130K miles. No idea if it was original or not. Lots of oil in plenum.
Definitely replace spark plugs and wires when the covers (and plenum) are off! This was SO easy!! I didn't have a service history from previous owner, so after putting 15K miles on, I decided to do everything new when doing valve covers.
The drivers side valve cover was a stone-cold beyotch!!! There was a piece of metal in place that prevented the easy removal of the valve cover. It looked to guide one of the wires away from the engine block and manifold. I had to unbolt that from the cylinder head before I could remove the cover. Passenger side was straight forward. Cam seals were EASY! Half moons are what my nightmares will be comprised of over the next few days. Easy to pull and replace, but I can see them easily leaking if the FIPG wasn't used properly. I ordered new ones and will just have to wait and see if they leak.
The whole job took me ten hours, including about 30min each for lunch and dinner. It was very tedious, but every time I got irritated and wanted to quit - I thought of the $1000+ quotes my local stealerships quoted me. Hopefully it works and I won't have to redo it!!
I hope this helps anyone else that may be concerned with their wrench-turning proficiency. If I can do it-anyone can. Just give yourself plenty of time and beer!
question for you all, how do you clean up the old oil? I'm trying to locate a leak and hope its only the valve cover gaskets... Anyway to tell if the valve cover is cracked just by visual inspection without taking anything off? I see oil in the back left and can't see if anythings cracked back there due to things covering it. I can certainly smell it on startup though...
camofreak
New member
Bringing back an old thread...
So in my attempt to reseal the half moon pieces, i unfortunately dropped one down the head, next to the #2 cylinder, i dont know how i was fortunate enough to do that. But do any of you know where that leads too? Could it have dropped down into the oil pan? Or should i just suck it up and pull off my head?
So in my attempt to reseal the half moon pieces, i unfortunately dropped one down the head, next to the #2 cylinder, i dont know how i was fortunate enough to do that. But do any of you know where that leads too? Could it have dropped down into the oil pan? Or should i just suck it up and pull off my head?
RunnerLimited
New member
Hey guys just a quick question...
I recently did my Valve Covers on both sides about a week ago, with all OEM stuff and everything else i needed to replace while i was in there.
1. Checking it today, I noticed there is a small gap between the Valve covers, I dont remember that, is that normal?. ( i read that someone had the same issue in some thread but i can't find it)
2. We had to remove the fuel rails, for some reason we couldn't take the valve covers off without having it out of the way, especially the driver side which took 3 times as long as the "EASY" side. A lot of you guys said you didn't have to take it out, just trying to figure out how. LOL
3. There is a ticking sound while on idle now, Never had it before the change. and SOMETIMES when acceleration from 700 RPM to 2000 or less RPM, I hear something ticking or kind of a rotating sound or a certain noise, but once i go over that RPM range seems to disappear. This happens when the engine is warm and been driven. ( I spilled quite a bit of Coolant from the radiator hose into the belts and haven't had the time to de-grease my engine, maybe that's whats causing the sound)
If anyone could chime in, I would greatly appreciate it!!!
I recently did my Valve Covers on both sides about a week ago, with all OEM stuff and everything else i needed to replace while i was in there.
1. Checking it today, I noticed there is a small gap between the Valve covers, I dont remember that, is that normal?. ( i read that someone had the same issue in some thread but i can't find it)
2. We had to remove the fuel rails, for some reason we couldn't take the valve covers off without having it out of the way, especially the driver side which took 3 times as long as the "EASY" side. A lot of you guys said you didn't have to take it out, just trying to figure out how. LOL
3. There is a ticking sound while on idle now, Never had it before the change. and SOMETIMES when acceleration from 700 RPM to 2000 or less RPM, I hear something ticking or kind of a rotating sound or a certain noise, but once i go over that RPM range seems to disappear. This happens when the engine is warm and been driven. ( I spilled quite a bit of Coolant from the radiator hose into the belts and haven't had the time to de-grease my engine, maybe that's whats causing the sound)
If anyone could chime in, I would greatly appreciate it!!!
planomateo
New member
Very nice writeup
nekbraker3.4
New member
Can some one show me a little more on how they sealed the half moons?
mtbtim
Elite Member
I did this repair recently with [MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] on his 2002. He's doing the final touches on our video and we will be posting it soon. We show in great detail how to pull these half moons, apply new sealant and re-install them in the head.
Can you hit us with the link here when done?
mtbtim
Elite Member
Sure. We're also going to start a new thread so we're not just highjacking somebody else's thread.
[MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] and my goal was to improve upon what's already out there. There have been great write-ups like @Jon but the available videos out there in our opinion fell a little short on showing all the different steps of the job like the cam plugs, half moons, spark plug tube seals, and more.
Because of the extra detail, this video will be a little longer than most, but we believe anyone wanting to tackle this labor intensive job will appreciate the amount of information we're providing.
We're both new to doing instructional videos but we're fairly confident people will appreciate the effort we put forth.
We'll most likely have it posted early next week.
mtbtim
Elite Member
"Full moons" doesn't make any sense to me unless it's talking about 4 half moons which makes 2 full moons. There are half moons on the front and rear of both heads, 4 total. You can absolutely reuse your old ones. All you have to do is pull them out, clean them up, apply new Toyota FIPG (Form in Place Gasket) and re-install.
T4R2014
Elite Member
Great. I'll be on the lookout.
ramonortiz55
New member
Glad i found this! I will await the link to new thread or video so I can continue research.
I just did the wife's escape over the weekend. Hopefully next is my 3rd gen
So I just had this done to my 4runner this weekend. The mechanic also changed the spark plugs and cleaned up the oil. I just purchased the 4runner 2 weeks ago and it had 226k miles. Question is... I gave the guy $450 to do the work... does that seem reasonable? The mechanic works at a Toyota dealership. The leak was pretty bad and had been leaking for about 2 years from what the guy told me when I bought it.
infamousRNR
Senior Member
I'd say just in labor alone that is reasonable... There is a fair amount of disassembly that has to occur which is just plain time consuming.
