DIY mechanic in training

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MechanicInTraining

New member
Hey guys,

I have been using these forums for awhile now to look at some cool 4runner projects and advice and guides to work on my own (1999 4Runner). I have just started working on my own car (just learned how to change my oil last year) and recently changed a fuel injector out because it was clogged. There are some other problems I still need to fix and some new ones that came up and I am wondering if someone can give me some advice, links or anything.

- My valve cover gaskets are leaking really really really bad.

- I have fixed the fuel injector problem but now the car misfires at idle and the check engine light reads engine running lean. My guess is the intake and or throttle body gaskets are bad but I really have no idea.

- I really need to clean everything under the hood. Its dusty and oily and looks horrible.

Any help would be much appreciated
 
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The valve cover gasket are easy. Pick up the gaskets from the dealer, and then remove the intake manifold, much like you did for the fuel injector, remove the valve covers, swap gaskets, and put it back together.
 
Okay but the valve covers and everything underneath the are covered in oil. How would I go about cleaning that without getting water into anything that shouldn't have water in it?
 
Brake Clean is your friend. for cleaning off the old grime. Non chlorinated is what you want

Look at the picture and the red circles you will need to put FIP-G (Form in place gasket aka silicone sealant) where ever the gasket makes a right angle upwards to go over the cams. Also circled in green there are 4 cam plugs (2 PER HEAD, FRONT AND BACK). You NEED to and I repeat NEED to remove these and clean the old FIP-G and re apply new FIP-G or they will leak and your time and money will be wasted.
 

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GHARP57 said:
Brake Clean is your friend. for cleaning off the old grime. Non chlorinated is what you want

Look at the picture and the red circles you will need to put FIP-G (Form in place gasket aka silicone sealant) where ever the gasket makes a right angle upwards to go over the cams. Also circled in green there are 4 cam plugs (2 PER HEAD, FRONT AND BACK). You NEED to and I repeat NEED to remove these and clean the old FIP-G and re apply new FIP-G or they will leak and your time and money will be wasted.
Click to expand...

I wasn't planning on using FIP-G or cleaning the cam plugs. This is why I joined this forum. Thanks for the advice.
 
So... Didn't go so well. I tried to rush it because I had work the next day and was going to be out of town for awhile. After I finished I tried to start the car. It started fine at first the kinda conked out and was spitting a lot of white smoke.

Some potential mistakes I made:
-I took the IAC off of the throttle body and the gasket didn't fit great.
-The valve covers didn't sit right either and I thought I could crank down the bolts to get the gasket to fit in to place.
-I have never used RTV gasket maker in a situation like this. The guy at advance auto parts just gave me a tube to use. It wasn't high temp but I figured it would work. Also some leaked in and out of the engine when I put the cam plugs and cam seals back in.
- I was doing this in a gravel driveway in the woods (where I live) and had to put paper towels in where the headers and valve covers go after removing all the parts for the night.

I tried to follow this write up: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...e-cover-gasket-replacement-part-s-n-pics.html

I was rushing and should have given myself more time. If someone could tell me how to diagnose this when I get back. That would be great.
 
MechanicInTraining said:
So... Didn't go so well. I tried to rush it because I had work the next day and was going to be out of town for awhile. After I finished I tried to start the car. It started fine at first the kinda conked out and was spitting a lot of white smoke.

I was rushing and should have given myself more time. If someone could tell me how to diagnose this when I get back. That would be great.
Click to expand...

White smoke usually means coolant/water in your combustion I dont see why a valve cover gasket would cause this. Looks like you need to replaced your IAC gasket that is probably where your issue is.

Rushing will always cause you more work than neccessary. There is no need to rush especially on a vehicle youll have to rely on.
 
MechanicInTraining said:
Okay I will try that. Thanks
Click to expand...

While the engine is idling, you can carefully spray carb cleaner around where you think an air leak might be, and see if the idle changes. Since you're new to this, I really am hesitant towards telling you to do so.

That said, when you pulled the intake to do the injectors. Did you replace the intake gaskets?
 
Diezel said:
While the engine is idling, you can carefully spray carb cleaner around where you think an air leak might be, and see if the idle changes. Since you're new to this, I really am hesitant towards telling you to do so.

That said, when you pulled the intake to do the injectors. Did you replace the intake gaskets?
Click to expand...

Yes, after I replaced the fuel injector the engine light gave a "lean" code. I figured there was a leak in the old intake gaskets. I replaced those when I replaced the valve cover gaskets. I already ordered the IAC gasket because when I reinstalled that I was rushing.
 
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