help replacing head gasket

[sidjitsu]

I have 2004 4Runner that is leaking oil out of the passenger side head gasket. Does anyone know where I can find a video/instructions showing how to replace it? Thanks for the help in advance.

 

[chompster4runner]

Head gasket or valve cover?

I have 2004 4Runner that is leaking oil out of the passenger side head gasket. Does anyone know where I can find a video/instructions showing how to replace it? Thanks for the help in advance.

 

[iBison]

"IF" it is the head gasket the only issues I've read of and went through myself this month was coolant leaking into #6 cylinder, sometimes #4.

If it's the valve cover that's WAY, WAY cheaper and WAY, WAY easier. The only issue we had was a valve cover stud breaking and a couple coming out attached to the nut. I replaced them with bolts.

But like chompster4runner said head or valve cover?

 

[sidjitsu]

My bad, valve cover. Sorry for the confusion

 

[fullboogie]

Remove valve cover and old gasket, clean both surfaces, replace gasket and cover. It's dirt simple. Depending on the style of gasket you get (particularly the old-style cork gaskets), you may want to use some gasket adhesive to glue the new gasket to the valve cover and let it dry before installing. This keeps the gasket from squirting out when you torque the cover down.

 

[RPS13]

It's good practice to put some good RTV (the grey kind) in the corners of any half moons that are on the gasket. If they leak on a new gasket, 99.999% of the time it'll leak on those corners. The RTV helps hold them down as well.

You'll have the ignition coils out, so now is a good time to replace the spark plugs as well if they're anywhere close to due.

 

[nasdamus]

Here's a couple of good links:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/122918-4-0l-v6-valve-cover-gasket-replacement.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/147322-valve-cover-gasket-replacement.html