HELP: Plug Tube Seals "Baked" into VCs

[Jimmy6string]

Hey all, hoping someone with a high-mileage 3rd gen has some pointers for me... I'm guessing this scenario is the result of high mileage and/or use of inferior replacement parts by previous owner(s) [98 T4r 3.4L, ~300k]:

ReplacingValve Cover gaskets bc they were leaking pretty badly. Got the covers off and started in on taking the old Spark Plug Tube Seals out hoping to be able to apply techniques described in other threads. Those suckers are BAKED into the covers. Very brittle. They immediately started breaking apart and I had to basically scrape them out with a razor and small pick but it's near impossible to get all of the old material out of the grooves around the hole in the VC. Took about 2.5 hrs to get as far as I did on one side and I've definitely done some minor damage. Not satisfied with it and would just replace the VCs now if that were an option but it's not.

Has anyone encountered this? Any suggestions on getting all the old material out? Though about heating them up with a torch but I'll have to find one before I can try that.

Any suggestions welcome.

 

[KidVermicious]

On my 3RZ valve cover I did exactly what you're doing. I used brass tools where I could to avoid damaging the valve cover.

 

[Jimmy6string]

Well darn.

 

[99Runnr]

Rotary tool with a grinding bit. Will cut the material and you can use enough finesse to not damage the vc.

 

[azcat90]

Those suckers are BAKED into the covers.

I thought mine were baked on even took a BernzOmatic to it until i realized i could just bend them in by putting a chisel on the edge and tapping with hammer. They came right out.

 

[Chuckles89]

Mine were like that at 250,000 miles. I had to chip them out...

 

[Tyota89]

Mine werent baked on but it was a very tight fit. I started with pulling the inner rubber and leaving the metal outer then I just took a punch and tap it out so I can grip it and took a needle nose and worked it out.

 

[SCRunner12]

Just did this on my 4Runner and I used a flat head screwdriver and placed it on the edge. Then hit it with a hammer till it got close the bottom, then pried the seal. You have to hit pretty hard and you feel like you're going to damage the VC but it worked perfectly. All 6 took about 5 min total.

 

[Jimmy6string]

I swear, these things were so brittle there was no other way to get them out other than scraping/chipping. I guess if they'd never been changed 18 years and 300k miles could do that to the original rubber.

Then I got the other valve cover out and found it had a crack so all that time was wasted!:doh:

Quote on replacement valve covers from dealership ~$600.
Aftermarket from rockauto ~$300.

I really can't afford the 600 right now. How comfortable would you be going with aftermarket?

 

[nc-grayson]

I swear, these things were so brittle there was no other way to get them out other than scraping/chipping. I guess if they'd never been changed 18 years and 300k miles could do that to the original rubber.

Then I got the other valve cover out and found it had a crack so all that time was wasted!:doh:

Quote on replacement valve covers from dealership ~$600.
Aftermarket from rockauto ~$300.

I really can't afford the 600 right now. How comfortable would you be going with aftermarket?

Find some from a local pick and pull or someone parting out a busted truck. Don't limit your search to just 4rnners either

 

[4Runnermex]

I swear, these things were so brittle there was no other way to get them out other than scraping/chipping. I guess if they'd never been changed 18 years and 300k miles could do that to the original rubber.



Then I got the other valve cover out and found it had a crack so all that time was wasted!:doh:



Quote on replacement valve covers from dealership ~$600.

Aftermarket from rockauto ~$300.



I really can't afford the 600 right now. How comfortable would you be going with aftermarket?

I have 4 sets of valve covers sitting in my backyard 150 + shipping OEM

PM me if interested

 

[Jimmy6string]

Local Pullapart has a 97 T4r in their yard, may take off work tomorrow and go see if it still has the VCs. If not I'll take your best pair, Mex. This is my daily driver so hoping to resolve this ASAP.

The dealership said they need the last 8 digits of my VIN to be sure they got me the right parts... anything I need to know about before pulling salvage parts or is 3.4 from my year range enough?

As always, thanks to all for taking time to respond.

 

[nc-grayson]

Local Pullapart has a 97 T4r in their yard, may take off work tomorrow and go see if it still has the VCs. If not I'll take your best pair, Mex. This is my daily driver so hoping to resolve this ASAP.

The dealership said they need the last 8 digits of my VIN to be sure they got me the right parts... anything I need to know about before pulling salvage parts or is 3.4 from my year range enough?

As always, thanks to all for taking time to respond.

What are you getting from the dealership? AFAIK, and don't quote me on this, there are a few different variations of VC's out there....some have little "fins" and some are smooth. I did mine about 8 months ago but I can't remember anything that would make me believe that they're that different as far as swapping out. Could be completely wrong.

 

[99Runnr]

$600 for valve cover's is insanity. There is a handful of complete longblocks near me, with under 200k on them for $900ish.

Around 5 of them being parted in the classifieds too. If you need, I can go grab some locally and ship them off to you for substantially less. Rather do that then see someone get raped at the dealer.

 

[4Runnermex]

Local Pullapart has a 97 T4r in their yard, may take off work tomorrow and go see if it still has the VCs. If not I'll take your best pair, Mex. This is my daily driver so hoping to resolve this ASAP.



The dealership said they need the last 8 digits of my VIN to be sure they got me the right parts... anything I need to know about before pulling salvage parts or is 3.4 from my year range enough?



As always, thanks to all for taking time to respond.

You don't need he vin for he VC they are all the same. All mine vary from 96 to 2001 runners all the same. Like I said I have 4 spare sets

Pm me I can send them by the weekend.

 

[SCRunner12]

I'm heading the local pick n pull tomorrow, if they have some VC I can pick them up. I believe they will be around $30 each.

 

[4Runnermex]

Sorry miscalculated my inventory. 5 sets no ifs here..

 

[Jimmy6string]

Got a pair of replacement VCs, big thanks to 4Runnermex. Installed them today and everything went back in fairly easily. Wouldn't start and not running yet so trouble shooting tomorrow.