Engine work, help in Raleigh, NC

[yota-runner]

I recently started taking apart the 5vz due to large amounts of oil leaking from the heads. When I got the the heads all the bolts were loose, I was able to remove them with my hands. I'm pretty sure that's my problem, but I'm by no means a mechanic, I can take things apart and put them back together. I don't want to assume that's the only problem and get it back together only to find I've still got issues. What exactly should the inside of the heads look like? Should I get anything machined or hot dipped since I've got it open? Anything particular I should take a look at? I'm sure these questions have been answered before and I'll continue my search but I figured I'd get this out there while I'm looking. I'll get some pictures of what it's looking like in a few minutes.

 

[yota-runner]

here's the pictures

 

[Ol School]

It appears that by "heads" you mean valve covers. The valve covers "cover" the cams and other components of the cylinder head. Your pictures indicate you have not removed the heads but the valve covers. Its not uncommon for the valve cover bolts to loosen over time given your mileage. You probably could have gotten by with tightening the bolts but since you have the covers off, clean the surfaces of the covers and the heads, install a new set of valve cover gaskets and tighten bolts to spec. You should be free from your oil leak woes.
Good Luck.

 

[gamefreakgc]

I don't know if that vehicle is new to you or not, but you might want to think about changing your oil more often. You've got a fair amount of sludge building up in your engine. Or try running synthetic or high-mileage oil to try and break it down.

 

[jreask]

I don't know if that vehicle is new to you or not, but you might want to think about changing your oil more often. You've got a fair amount of sludge building up in your engine. Or try running synthetic or high-mileage oil to try and break it down.

I didn't think it looked TOO bad. You see sludge?

 

[Doc2012]

You should've said something! We did the today, huh [MENTION=116928]Squirt[/MENTION]. Lmfao.

 

[gamefreakgc]

I didn't think it looked TOO bad. You see sludge?

Yeah on the first photo it's building up on top of the cam shaft brackets and in the nooks and crannies of the cylinder head. The second photo looks cleaner, but still looking kind of dark.

 

[Squirt]

You should've said something! We did the today, huh [MENTION=116928]Squirt[/MENTION]. Lmfao.

yeah I got some awesome help from Doc2012 today! wish we had known you needed a hand we could have gotten started earlier and come out to help..

 

[yota-runner]

It appears that by "heads" you mean valve covers. The valve covers "cover" the cams and other components of the cylinder head. Your pictures indicate you have not removed the heads but the valve covers. Its not uncommon for the valve cover bolts to loosen over time given your mileage. You probably could have gotten by with tightening the bolts but since you have the covers off, clean the surfaces of the covers and the heads, install a new set of valve cover gaskets and tighten bolts to spec. You should be free from your oil leak woes.
Good Luck.

Haha yes the valve cover. I knew head didn't sound right but "valve cover" wasn't coming to mind. Thanks for the input, I had assumed the PO had been in there because of how loose they were but it seems a lot of people are saying it's common with that many miles.

I don't know if that vehicle is new to you or not, but you might want to think about changing your oil more often. You've got a fair amount of sludge building up in your engine. Or try running synthetic or high-mileage oil to try and break it down.

I've had it for about 2 years and 50k miles. I kept it changed about every 5k miles, except for one month where I was going 2k miles a week for work and got kind of behind (think it was something like 9k when i changed it). I've already planned on running Royal Purple when I get it together.

You should've said something! We did the today, huh [MENTION=116928]Squirt[/MENTION]. Lmfao.

Wish I'd of known, that would of been great. Fortunately I don't have a license right now (or unfortunately) so I'm in no hurry.