Cracked valve cover

[KHoffRunner]

I checked my oil to today and noticed I was a little low so I started looking around and notice one of the valve cover bolt tabs is cracked right behind the bolt. I'm guessing some nimrod (previous owner) tightened the bolt down too much and it cracked... how big of a deal is this? Is it going to hurt it by keeping driving it? (barring i watch the oil and dont let it get low).

 

[Dous]

Not a big deal. That area shouldn't really be under any pressure that would force the oil out. The PCV takes care of the blow by. You might see some oil weep out, but it shouldn't amount to very much

 

[98_4runnerSR5]

I checked my oil to today and noticed I was a little low so I started looking around and notice one of the valve cover bolt tabs is cracked right behind the bolt. I'm guessing some nimrod (previous owner) tightened the bolt down too much and it cracked... how big of a deal is this? Is it going to hurt it by keeping driving it? (barring i watch the oil and dont let it get low).

Recently did my passenger valve cover gaskets only to discover that mine had hairline crack in it and when we went to set it back on the motor, crack, the whole damn thing split the bolt tab off in the rear. You're not going to hurt anything, just may be loosing some oil and I'd keep an eye on it. You'll def want to replace it at some point here. If you're looking for a valve cover post up and someone will be able to hook you up.

 

[3rd gen king]

Mine is cracked near a top corner and it has jb weld on it to seal and fix it (p o) did it but I would have done the same. N.b.d.

 

[KHoffRunner]

Okay good deal, I'll eventually have the have it redone along with the gaskets. Probably once school lets out and i have some free time but I'll try to pick the covers up off some one here that would help. Should i put anything on the crack? Its the closest corner bolt on the driver side below the oil cap