About to order parts to do valve cover gaskets, are OEM parts necessary?

[psyduck]

Found an older guide that had all the part numbers listed. I've seen suggestions to make sure all parts are OEM. After pricing everything out the total comes to about $220 (mostly coming from the gaskets themselves ($35 each). Does this seem like a good plan or are non-oem parts fine? Just bought the truck with 205k miles on it and theres a small leak that is getting all over my steering column and bell housing.

Also I can't do more than change oil and brakes on my vehicles so I received a quote from a local mechanic at $300 just for the labor. Does this seem right?

 

[DoctorPopcorn]

This checks out from my list back in 2019. Nice work! The only thing I'd add would be FIPG gasket maker. I bought OEM, but another gasket maker would probably be fine, too.

1. Valve cover gaskets - Part #11213-62020 - 2 Total
2. Spark Plug Tube gaskets - Part #11193-16010 - 6 Total
3. Intake Plenum Gaskets - Part #17176-62040 - 2 Total
4. Washer Seals - Part #90210-05007 - 16 Total
5. Camshaft Plugs - Part #11188-62010 - 2 Total - order
6. Halfmoon Plugs - Part #11183-62010 - 4 Total - order
7. PCV Valve Grommet - Part #90480-18001 - 1 Total - order
8. Toyota FIPG seal packing - Part #00295-00103 - 1 Tube​

Edit: $300 seems pretty fair for labor for this job. Took me a weekend doing it my first time, taking my precious time.

 

[psyduck]

This checks out from my list back in 2019. Nice work! The only thing I'd add would be FIPG gasket maker. I bought OEM, but another gasket maker would probably be fine, too.

1. Valve cover gaskets - Part #11213-62020 - 2 Total
2. Spark Plug Tube gaskets - Part #11193-16010 - 6 Total
3. Intake Plenum Gaskets - Part #17176-62040 - 2 Total
4. Washer Seals - Part #90210-05007 - 16 Total
5. Camshaft Plugs - Part #11188-62010 - 2 Total - order
6. Halfmoon Plugs - Part #11183-62010 - 4 Total - order
7. PCV Valve Grommet - Part #90480-18001 - 1 Total - order
8. Toyota FIPG seal packing - Part #00295-00103 - 1 Tube​

Edit: $300 seems pretty fair for labor for this job. Took me a weekend doing it my first time, taking my precious time.

Great! Yeah I would definitely destroy my vehicle if I attempted this. I'm sure I would break or lose something or not be able to put it back together. I would attempt it with someone that knew what they were doing, but that's not an option unfortunately.

 

[lockedlex]

This is great timing as I was just going to order parts so I can do this job as well, thanks for compiling the list. I'm going to go with OEM since they lasted 20 years (so sticking with OEM on this one).

I will say that's a fair price.

While I'm in there, I'm also planning to change my spark plugs and S/C pulley belt.

Is there anything else (like ignition coils, etc) that I should replace as preventative maint? Money isn't really an issue, I just can't be out on a trail and have something fail from that area, esp. if I'm already going to be working there.

Thanks!

 

[AJPuleo23]

Having dug pretty far into mine over the last 1.5 years and replacing all different kinds of components, it does make you think about how good the OEM parts are/were.

Not saying anything anyone hasn't already said on this forum, but I think the general consensus is, if its not OEM for the large majority of parts then its not going on the 4R. LBJ's and Timing belt components to be more specific.

So in my opinion, you're better off getting the OEM parts. Even if you're spending a little more coin than the other aftermarket stuff.

Having done this job twice recently (I over torqued and cracked my VC) I'd say it can be done in 2-3 hours. So IMO if you're paying a mechanic to do it for you, the $300 quote is not crazy.

If you're handy with a wrench I will say that the amount of outlets on here (just don't find the FSM article in a jam where the torque values are in ft lbs and not inch lbs LOL), and Timmy's youtube channel are great for DIY'ing it and saving the coin. Especially with common jobs like the VCG's.

 

[3bears]

couple of things. I would seafoam the engine and intake first. i would also get the gasket that fits the oil fill cap...it is brittle, leaks..and looks like its part of the unit but it is a gasket. id also get the throttle body gasket and the ICV gasket. I did not see a new pcv valve listed.. while throttle body is out take it apart and clean the ICV valve correctly. the plastic loom cover under the driver side gets very brittle and may brake apart on you. i wrapped my wires in "rescue tape". this would also be a good time for new plugs and wires. if it can sit overnight after putting on the new valve cover gaskets. go back and recheck the attachement bolts of valve covers. I did on one of mine...and they took more torque. speaking fo torque....correctly torque the valve covers down. they will snap if you dont and on the forums....aftermarket valve covers are junk.
As far as using aftermarket....i have had no problem with quality aftermarket on my past .2 vlave cover jobs...but i never owned the previous two over 20 k. ( totaled one and sold other it was a POS) so cant speak of longevity of aftermarket on these parts. my current one got new yota with previous owner about 35k agoaccording to receipts that came with rig.
my first I used Oshino....supposedly origally supplier to yota...but cant find again....the 2nd i went with napa mostly cause i was in a hurry and did not want to order....and most napa parts have worked good for me. but when its critical or internal i go yota

 

[brillo_76]

I done 1 a few months ago. I used all OEM parts did the PCV valve and the throttle body gaskets as well. I went off of Tims part list for the project and I have to do another engine here at some point.

Parts needed for replacing Valve cover gaskets V6 3rd gen
*Throttle Body Gasket #22271-62040
*Intake Plenum Gaskets #17176-62040 - (Need 2)
*Valve Cover Gaskets #11213-62020 - (Need 2)
*PCV Valve #12204-62010
*PCV Grommet #90480-18001
*Valve Cover Bolt Washers #90210-05007 - (Need 16)
*Camshaft Plugs #11188-62010 - (Need 2)
*Toyota FIPG #00295-00103
*Spark Plug Tube Seals #11193-70010 - (Need 6)

I also changed my radiator main hoses as well they needed replaced.

*Hose Radiator inlet #1657162070 (Need 1)
*Hose Radiator No 2 #1657262090 (Need 1)


Hope this helps and confirms parts.

 

[Sarki]

If not doing the work yourself and sending off to a local mechanic I would make sure he’s familiar with doing this particular job as there are lots of opportunities to screw things up.
It’s several hours of work if doing a thorough job and replacing all the parts that others have suggested.
If not careful and done by someone who is rushing through it you can have more oil leaks than before the replacement.
I went with all OEM parts as I wanted to make sure I used the best quality parts available as I didn’t want any problems. The originals lasted nearly 20 years in my case so that speaks volumes.
Best of luck, nothing beats a clean and dry engine bay!

 

[FD7683]

I went with the Fel-Pro gasket and its still holding up 3 years later. This job is a little on the tough side if you don't wrench often. Get prepared to fight the driver side cover It's not a super hard job though - it can be done in 1 day. Good luck.

 

[nissanh]

OEM OEM.. YEs, Yes...

IMPORTANT: Take each bolt or nut you remove off the intake manifold as you dismantle the intake manifold. COVER The INTAKE ports and MAKE 100% sure you are NOT dropping anything into the engine.


I had aftermarket valve cover seals and those lasted less than 8000 miles and started leaking again. Stay with all OEM!

Here is a tip. Use Toyota FIPG. Apply a small film to the bottom side of the gasket towards the exhaust manifolds. This will keep oil in even in case the bolts get loose. I didn't do this to mine and is still dry. but did this to my friends 03 Taco's valve covers.

Toyota FIPG has a long shelf life (more than a year) and won't harden if capped and stored in a ziplock bag.

 

[yotamonkey]

As someone once said on here, there's a reason OEM stuff has lasted this long, so when I'm replacing worn out parts, I don't go cheap.

 

[flygirl0344]

hey all…I’m back and it’s been a minute…

So, it’s time to replace VC gaskets. I agree, OEM is the way to go. So that being said, is the ONLY place to get OEM from a Yota dealership parts dept? Toyota Parts Deal and a couple other places SAY they have OEM but I have no way to know if the parts are actually Toyota made. Does anyone know? TIA!

2000 3rd Gen
180k

 

[diverscale]

well if you go to the part counter, you'll get toyota OEM. You are overthinking this. You might get a aisin part for example, but that is still what toyota intended to use

 

[flygirl0344]

well if you go to the part counter, you'll get toyota OEM. You are overthinking this. You might get a aisin part for example, but that is still what toyota intended to use

Let me ask a different way.. I want OEM parts..but is there anywhere OTHER than the Yota parts dept to get OEM parts? ie-toyotapartsonline, ebay (sometimes sketch, i know), etc

 

[Previologist]

I wouldn't even consider not using OEM, although having to do it twice would be a good learning experience I'd rather not.

 

[T4R2014]

A couple years back you could get Beck-Arnley valve cover gasket kits (Repackaged made in Japan by Ishino) for around $35. This got you the gaskets, plug tube seals, and rubber washers. These days it's about $50 on Amazon. I have zero issues with them, but I still had to buy cam plugs, half moons, a PCV grommet, and intake gaskets. If not for the savings I'd just get all OEM to avoid having all these orders. Felpro might work but I'm so used to seeing those wonderful blue gaskets when opening up an engine to redo some half assed maintenance. I guess I'll redeem them by pointing out that they sell repackaged NOK brand cam plugs (same supplier as OEM) for a few bucks less in a pack of two.

 

[WayneM]

Let me ask a different way.. I want OEM parts..but is there anywhere OTHER than the Yota parts dept to get OEM parts? ie-toyotapartsonline, ebay (sometimes sketch, i know), etc

To answer your question, I've come across some online vendors of Toyota branded parts. I forget the names, but they're pretty well identified if you web-search for a Toyota part number. I suspect they are web portals for an actual Toyota dealer parts department.

Having said that, I did my VC gasket job, years ago, with parts from Rock Auto (Apex, Aisin, Mahle). Still working great.

I don't fully understand the Toyota-original-only fixation. I think Toyota-original is a higher probability of success. But, substitute parts seem to work pretty good for me. And, when it comes to things like brake calipers/master, etc, the rebuilts are usually OEM cores.

 

[NachesPass4x4]

Let me ask a different way.. I want OEM parts..but is there anywhere OTHER than the Yota parts dept to get OEM parts? ie-toyotapartsonline, ebay (sometimes sketch, i know), etc

Genuine OEM Toyota Parts and Accessories Online - Toyota Parts Deal

Just a moment...

These are a couple good ones. Alot of us have been using them for years. No need to worry about counterfeit parts with them.

 

[Previologist]

Genuine OEM Toyota Parts and Accessories Online - Toyota Parts Deal

Just a moment...

These are a couple good ones. Alot of us have been using them for years. No need to worry about counterfeit parts with them.

Toyota Parts Deal has never had any part I've tried to order, despite saying it was in stock and accepting my order. I will never use them again.

 

[donttread13]

Just a moment...
Pretty cheap and definitely authentic Toyota parts.

That being said....
I personally bought a Timing Belt Kit from Amazon that included various OEM manufacturer's parts and all made in Japan .
Valve Cover Kit from ebay with OEM Japanese made components.
And plan to use aftermarket Valve Covers.
We will see how it shakes out.