How to diagnose a leaking gasket?

[houjames98765]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/198379-help-iam-scared.html

You can't make this stuff up.

My job in the service department is to change timing belt, clean engines, and repair. Any related to like tail lights / lights , stereo, windows , seats , alarm , roof racks, floors its not my job is the Toyota accessories department. Not all mechanics of Toyota know about everything. I have
Newbie in the service department like doing minor to major service basic stuff. My knowledge is on the engine only.
Also my son has a 3rd gen 4Runner and use this account.
My salary is $39.67 per hour plus 4% of service commission for 8 hours a day and 5 days a week.
Some times I can't finished my service work on the Toyota land cruiser and tundra I ask 3 hours overtime.

 

[houjames98765]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/198379-help-iam-scared.html

You can't make this stuff up.

My son asked this question because I work in Toyota of north Hollywood sorry we have 2 3rd gen 4runners

 

[area51]

Thanks for the info, do you have a pic of where the v/c & head gaskets are located?

I circled the head gasket on your picture:

The oil looks to be leaking above this gasket. Here is a pic of the valve covers off:

Hope this helps!


Everyone who does not have a contribution to help the OP, please take your comments to another thread. We are trying to stick the OP's topic. Thanks

 

[Twan]

My job in the service department is to change timing belt, clean engines, and repair. Any related to like tail lights / lights , stereo, windows , seats , alarm , roof racks, floors its not my job is the Toyota accessories department. Not all mechanics of Toyota know about everything. I have
Newbie in the service department like doing minor to major service basic stuff. My knowledge is on the engine only.
Also my son has a 3rd gen 4Runner and use this account.
My salary is $39.67 per hour plus 4% of service commission for 8 hours a day and 5 days a week.
Some times I can't finished my service work on the Toyota land cruiser and tundra I ask 3 hours overtime.

My son asked this question because I work in Toyota of north Hollywood sorry we have 2 3rd gen 4runners

Shut. The. ****. Up. No one cares.

 

[Riceye]

Just to fan the flames a little, I'd offer that in the parts diagram Toyota calls a "valve cover gasket" a "cylinder head cover gasket".

Heh heh heh...

 

[houjames98765]

I circled the head gasket on your picture:

The oil looks to be leaking above this gasket. Here is a pic of the valve covers off:

Hope this helps!


Everyone who does not have a contribution to help the OP, please take your comments to another thread. We are trying to stick the OP's topic. Thanks

Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voLBRDZL9fE
Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=in4VdfnHdI0
Part 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTsocmNdBpQ
Part 4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFYEoWTX0YU
Part 5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQ7-wmjo6PE
Part 6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ysgDyea1GU


I would recommend you to take your truck to the Toyota service center they will clean the head cylinder and replace gasket and clean all fuel system for $900 - $1,000 in total and you will get your truck back in 34 hours comes 1 year warranty unlimited miles. Or you could do it by your self the is my suggestion as Toyota mechanic. You need to do this anyway

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

2 Members on time out for their behavior...

Debate all you like, keep the personal attacks and vulgar language out of it.

 

[Diezel]

There's nothing wrong with not being a Mechanic. But giving bad advice under the guise of being a Mechanic, isn't cool.

A good mechanic, would recommend what was said by one person early in this thread already.

I AM a mechanic with 20 years of experience. Of everything from small combustion engine, to 70 ton off-road cranes.

I'll parrot the advice said earlier; "use a UV dye additive to locate the source of the leak". However, I will add one suggestion. Get the engine bay cleaned. That way the leak source is spotted much easier.

OP - Get rid of that Fram filter. They're garbage!

Leaking valve cover gaskets are way more common than head gaskets on the 3.4L. The 3.0L was the common head gasket problem engine. Way too many shade tree mechanics think "toyota v6 = head gaskets".

 

[drichardson90]

I circled the head gasket on your picture:

The oil looks to be leaking above this gasket. Here is a pic of the valve covers off:

Hope this helps!


Everyone who does not have a contribution to help the OP, please take your comments to another thread. We are trying to stick the OP's topic. Thanks

Wow this thread got off topic real quick, thanks for bringing it back and helping me with my actual questions. Those pics are a big help, thank you for that. And yes, the leak looks to be coming from above the head gasket.

 

[drichardson90]

Does anyone know of a good step by step guide with pics or video to replacing the v/c gaskets (something easy enough for a child to understand)? And a list of tools required? I've found lots of scattered info on the forums, but nothing from start to finish with all the required steps.

Trying to see if it's a job I'm comfortable doing on my own before buying all parts/tools. Never done this type of work before & want to arm myself with enough knowledge before taking things apart. I'd hate to get halfway through and not know what to do next.

 

[Diezel]

Does anyone know of a good step by step guide with pics or video to replacing the v/c gaskets (something easy enough for a child to understand)? And a list of tools required? I've found lots of scattered info on the forums, but nothing from start to finish with all the required steps.

Trying to see if it's a job I'm comfortable doing on my own before buying all parts/tools. Never done this type of work before & want to arm myself with enough knowledge before taking things apart. I'd hate to get halfway through and not know what to do next.

This may be of help to you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IThNiZcs4bI

 

[02SE]

These valve cover gaskets leaking a bit is common. Often just GENTLY snugging down the valve cover bolts. will stop the leakage.

The torque spec is 53 inch lbs, take note that IS NOT ft lbs.

53 in lbs is 4.416 ft lbs.

Lots of people get carried away tightening the VC bolts, and either strip threads, or crack the Valve Cover.

I won't list my qualifications, as I think this thread has already "jumped the shark".

 

[drichardson90]

These valve cover gaskets leaking a bit is common. Often just GENTLY snugging down the valve cover bolts. will stop the leakage.

The torque spec is 53 inch lbs, take note that IS NOT ft lbs.

53 in lbs is 4.416 ft lbs.

Lots of people get carried away tightening the VC bolts, and either strip threads, or crack the Valve Cover.

I won't list my qualifications, as I think this thread has already "jumped the shark".

Found the bolts and gently tightened the ones I was able to access without having to take things apart. Was shocked to see how loose they've gotten and am hoping that is the underlying issue. I am a bit nervous as I only have 400 miles on the new oil I recently changed and am just under the min oil level already. My car has not leaked at this rate before, so I am thinking I may have a cracked gasket or other problem since the leakage rate has increased so much so quickly.

 

[drichardson90]

Is it necessary to drain the oil prior to doing this repair? Also, is it possible to tighten all of the v/c bolts without having to take apart all the stuff above it?

 

[LittleCaesar]

You don't have to drain the oil. You can tighten the bolts but may have to get creative with those for the driver's side valve cover without removing the manifold. If you aren't comfortable doing it, take it to a mechanic.

I used this thread to change mine but there are a myriad of DIY threads for valve cover gaskets, just look:
5vzfe leaky valve covers fixed (56k beware) - YotaTech Forums

 

[drichardson90]

You don't have to drain the oil. You can tighten the bolts but may have to get creative with those for the driver's side valve cover without removing the manifold. If you aren't comfortable doing it, take it to a mechanic.

I used this thread to change mine but there are a myriad of DIY threads for valve cover gaskets, just look:
5vzfe leaky valve covers fixed (56k beware) - YotaTech Forums

Thanks for all the help, I really appreciate it. Going to tighten as best I can, clean up around the v/c's, fill her up with some fresh oil and see if the leak slows/stops.

 

[LeeMajors]

I am a bit nervous as I only have 400 miles on the new oil I recently changed and am just under the min oil level already.

Wow. You must be gushing.

Mine looked really similar beneath, but I'm 5500mi into my OCI (7500 on 5w30 M1 synth) and I'm still near max.

Are you leaving spots beneath your truck?

 

[cashmoney]

Found the bolts and gently tightened the ones I was able to access without having to take things apart. Was shocked to see how loose they've gotten and am hoping that is the underlying issue. I am a bit nervous as I only have 400 miles on the new oil I recently changed and am just under the min oil level already. My car has not leaked at this rate before, so I am thinking I may have a cracked gasket or other problem since the leakage rate has increased so much so quickly.

If you didn't torque them all down evenly you could have tweaked a section of the valve cover open more than it was and increased the speed of the leak.