97 Valve Cover Leak
- Thread starter Bishard
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BlackCat914
New member
just snug the bolts up.
There does appear to be a small seep there. A month isn't going to cause any damage. You should only be concerned if it is pouring out and the oil level drops constantly. Just check the oil once a week to be sure. I have had a couple of 3rz's including my current one go well over 200k with no issues
Thanks for the quick responses yall. Could this be related to the "roar" like sound I've been hearing right before it's time to shift gears?
WHTOY, how many miles are on your current 3rz and what's the most you've gotten out of one? I'm at 197k and I've been contemplating buying a lower mileage runner. I back out of purchase every time because I love the 3rz and can only find the 5vz auto. There's nothing better than cruising by a lifted Detroit v8 stuck on the beach in a 4 cyl without deflating tires. And my 3rz has been through many BEATINGS that easily could have been featured on "How To Kill A Toyota".
WHTOY, how many miles are on your current 3rz and what's the most you've gotten out of one? I'm at 197k and I've been contemplating buying a lower mileage runner. I back out of purchase every time because I love the 3rz and can only find the 5vz auto. There's nothing better than cruising by a lifted Detroit v8 stuck on the beach in a 4 cyl without deflating tires. And my 3rz has been through many BEATINGS that easily could have been featured on "How To Kill A Toyota".
I had a 96 Tacoma 4wd that got bought back by Toyota with a 3rz that had 267000 on it and was running strong when turned in. My current runner has a shade over 220000 on it now. I have been a Toyota tech since 97 and have never seen a catastrophic failure of that engine other than on a few Tacomas that had bad harmonic balancer to crankshaft bolts that needed crankshafts because we were not able to extract the bolts successfully. The motors ran fan just threw the belts off. The only thing that may not give me a clear picture is that people may not bring there high mileage broken vehicles to us for repairs. I think that with proper care I should be good for well over 300000 miles. I like the fuel economy of the four cylinder. I think there is potential for more power too. Good luck and keep that ole girl running
Joe Desrosiers
New member
Passenger side bolt mearest firewall
In tightening up my VC bolts I can't get to the rear most bolt (pasenger side of the VC) as it has the plastic cover for the ribbon cable (?) bolted down hard in that area. I can barely see the bolt under the (immovable) plastic cover and can't move this cover enough by hand out of the way to get a tool on the bolt. What is the correct method? Thanks a million...
In tightening up my VC bolts I can't get to the rear most bolt (pasenger side of the VC) as it has the plastic cover for the ribbon cable (?) bolted down hard in that area. I can barely see the bolt under the (immovable) plastic cover and can't move this cover enough by hand out of the way to get a tool on the bolt. What is the correct method? Thanks a million...
snow junky
New member
put a new gasket on, there cheap. and adjust the valves when your in there
papapoopski
New member
If you are just tighteneing the bolts, don't crank them down too hard. The torque spec for the VC bolts is like 4ft-lbs. or something. It would be easy to overtighten and crack your valve cover - which would be bad.
Snug em down a bit, you'll be fine till whenever you can change the gasket.
Snug em down a bit, you'll be fine till whenever you can change the gasket.
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I missed how many miles you have on the engine, but that minor seep I wouldn't even bother with it.
Take some engine cleaner / degreaser / Brake clean / WD-40 and scrub with a small brush, then hose off gently on a cold engine.
Until it starts dripping and affecting oil level I wouldn't worry about it. That could be years, or never at that rate. These engines are 15 years old. They are known for valve cover seepage. Not a big deal. A little oil can make it dirty or dusty engine look like a big leak. That's a tiny seepage.
Take some engine cleaner / degreaser / Brake clean / WD-40 and scrub with a small brush, then hose off gently on a cold engine.
Until it starts dripping and affecting oil level I wouldn't worry about it. That could be years, or never at that rate. These engines are 15 years old. They are known for valve cover seepage. Not a big deal. A little oil can make it dirty or dusty engine look like a big leak. That's a tiny seepage.
