How much have you been quoted for valve cover gaskets?

[2fas2c]

Never in a million years could you do them in 30 min. To simply unbolt the intake manifold and re-bolt everything back up takes 30 min.

I used to do these at the dealership often. I'd say a reasonable time if you've done them before is at the MINIMUM an hour.

I agree, even doing this job in an hour would be real impressive. To the OP I would not take this repair lightly if your inexperienced and you are planning on doing the half moons and everything else, leave yourself a day or two to do it.

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

If I were wanting to access the valve cover bolts to snug them down and check that they are torqued appropriately, can I access them without much work or would I still need to take the intake manifold off?

 

[2fas2c]

If I were wanting to access the valve cover bolts to snug them down and check that they are torqued appropriately, can I access them without much work or would I still need to take the intake manifold off?

It would be REAL hard to get to the bolts closest to the plenum, it might be doable with a gear wrench and you would probably have to remove other things to get there. I honestly think the easiest way to do it is remove the upper plenum but DO NOT disconnect the coolant hoses that go to the IACV on the throttle body, just leave them hooked up and just stand the upper plenum up or position it out of your way, (be careful not to damage the IACV YOU WILL have to disconnect the vacuum lines and throttle/cruise/kickdown cables. The gasket for the upper and lower plenum is a metal re-useable gasket so if it is not mangled you can use it still use it, again there are some great write ups out there if you Google "5VZFE oil leak"

 

[t4r4life]

Never in a million years could you do them in 30 min. To simply unbolt the intake manifold and re-bolt everything back up takes 30 min.

I used to do these at the dealership often. I'd say a reasonable time if you've done them before is at the MINIMUM an hour.

Done this job 4 times, last time i did it took about 40 mins with plugs and i wasn't even really rushing, takes less than 30 seconds to do the two phillips and pull the whole intake tube out, unplug 4 vacuum lines, unbolt the intake takes less than 5 mins if you don't pull the throttle body coolant line. 2 long bolts 2 short bolts and 4 nuts, then you just hang the upper platinum, undo coils packs pull the tubes out, undo the valve cover bolts, pull them off, off with the old gasket slap new ones on with some rtv at the edges and redo everything.
im guessing you don't have this tool.

real time saver.

 

[hambob]

I did it myself and I noticed they were leaking again 3 months later. Did it again and notice that when I took it apart the bolts were finger tight. So this time I used a little blue locktight and I've been leak free since.

Good luck!

 

[Pioww]

I have to do this repair also. There are at least 2 good videos on YouTube of this repair. They show all the bolts, lines, and connections. With some explanation of what to be mindful of.

 

[montana_jeepn]

A dealer near me quoted me $800....I haven't been back since. I think I will just keep checking my oil until I have time to do it myself.

 

[AAHill]

Related Question...

Hey guys - good info on this forum.

I've been thinking about tackling the valve cover gaskets on my 4Runner too, but for what I think is a bigger problem.

For the past few months I've been losing coolant very quickly, but have never seen any actual puddling... only residue spray on the inside of my hood and that awful coolant smell when I stop driving. I also know my coolant reservoir is low/empty when I see my heat gauge climbing. Dealer told me it's likely due to coolant leaking into the engine as evidenced by my leaking valve cover gaskets.

Can that happen? Or, is this BS from the dealer?

BTW - dealer quote for valve cover gasket was $560 here in Columbus, OH.

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

Hey guys - good info on this forum.

I've been thinking about tackling the valve cover gaskets on my 4Runner too, but for what I think is a bigger problem.

For the past few months I've been losing coolant very quickly, but have never seen any actual puddling... only residue spray on the inside of my hood and that awful coolant smell when I stop driving. I also know my coolant reservoir is low/empty when I see my heat gauge climbing. Dealer told me it's likely due to coolant leaking into the engine as evidenced by my leaking valve cover gaskets.

Can that happen? Or, is this BS from the dealer?

BTW - dealer quote for valve cover gasket was $560 here in Columbus, OH.

I'm saying BS. A failing head gasket can often lead to coolant loss. A failed valve cover gasket cannot.

 

[t4r4life]

Hey guys - good info on this forum.

I've been thinking about tackling the valve cover gaskets on my 4Runner too, but for what I think is a bigger problem.

For the past few months I've been losing coolant very quickly, but have never seen any actual puddling... only residue spray on the inside of my hood and that awful coolant smell when I stop driving. I also know my coolant reservoir is low/empty when I see my heat gauge climbing. Dealer told me it's likely due to coolant leaking into the engine as evidenced by my leaking valve cover gaskets.

Can that happen? Or, is this BS from the dealer?

BTW - dealer quote for valve cover gasket was $560 here in Columbus, OH.

sounds like a slow coolant leak, check coolant line on the throttle body, the heater core, the thermostat housing and see if you are getting any white smoke out the tail pipe(only will smoke if head gasket is leaking bad). i hope its not a headgasket