Little Help With Head Cover Replacement

[M@D-M@X]

Little Help With Head Cover Replacement on 3.4L, V-6, 5VZ-FE

Sup Guys,

I'm an original owner of a 2000 limited runner so there are a couple of things that have been neglected and need attention. About a month ago I finished my Tundra brake conversion by myself, thanks to this forum and now I'm to the next thing on the priority list.

"The Head Cover Gaskets" It is evident that they need replacement due to the oil residue just under them and the smell of burning oil after warming up. I've acquired a "FSM" to assist me with this procedure but I'm not clear about several things.

The section of the FSM which shows the breakdown to access the gaskets to be replaced, is the section to remove the cylinder heads. With that said it is obvious that there will be procedures that will not be necessary to execute since it is just the head covers that I need to remove.

1) I know that the "Air Intake Chamber Assembly" & "Intake Air Connector Assembly" has to be removed but how about the "Intake Manifold Assembly"?
2) It is also asking for the "Timing Belt Cover" & "Timing Belt w/Pulleys". Is the Belt and Pulleys a must to remove?
3) My last concern is that some gasket kits come with grommets for the bolts and some don't come with them. Are these really a necessity to replace?

I hope that some of you would chime in for a little help. I will take advantage of these undertaking and replace the factory plugs and wires if needed.

Thanks in advance.
Max

 

[M@D-M@X]

WOW! :wow2:
50 views and not one reply. Oh well I guess sometimes it doesn't come easy.

For what is worth and the people in the future that might have the same questions and concerns, I was able to clarify all the issues thru quite a research and information available in detail on other forums and sites.

1) The "Air Intake Chamber Assembly" & "Intake Air Connector Assembly" does need to be removed for easy access but the intake manifold can remain without hampering the operation.

2) The "Timing Belt Cover" could be removed for easier access but it is not a must, while the "Timing Belt w/Pulleys" do not need to be even touched.

3) As far as for the gasket kits that come with grommets/washers for the bolts. It is just a matter of finding out how bad they are and most of the time they don't need to be replaced.

My order consists of :
1-PCV Valve, Part #12204-62010 Might as well replace it while I'm doing this
1-PCV Grommet, Part # 90480-18001 Just in case the old one is in bad shape
2-Valve Cover Gaskets (both the L & R side are the same part), Part #11213-62020
6-Spark Plug Tube Gaskets, Part # 11193-16010 No need to replace as of yet but it is recommended
2-Intake Plenum Gaskets (both the upper & lower are the same part), Part # 17176-62040
16-Washer Seals (for the valve cover bolts) Part # 90210-05007 While I'm at it, might as well change them

All parts are genuine Toyota, OEM parts costing me less than $100 shipped.
I will also take this time that the spark plugs will be accessible and replace them with NGK's Iridium plugs.

 

[rjaudi]

You have to remove the intake manifold to get the driver side valve cover off. You do not need to remove the timing belt cover.

 

[THEREALTOR1]

WOW! :wow2:
50 views and not one reply. Oh well I guess sometimes it doesn't come easy.

For what is worth and the people in the future that might have the same questions and concerns, I was able to clarify all the issues thru quite a research and information available in detail on other forums and sites.

1) The "Air Intake Chamber Assembly" & "Intake Air Connector Assembly" does need to be removed for easy access but the intake manifold can remain without hampering the operation.

2) The "Timing Belt Cover" could be removed for easier access but it is not a must, while the "Timing Belt w/Pulleys" do not need to be even touched.

3) As far as for the gasket kits that come with grommets/washers for the bolts. It is just a matter of finding out how bad they are and most of the time they don't need to be replaced.

My order consists of :
1-PCV Valve, Part #12204-62010 Might as well replace it while I'm doing this
1-PCV Grommet, Part # 90480-18001 Just in case the old one is in bad shape
2-Valve Cover Gaskets (both the L & R side are the same part), Part #11213-62020
6-Spark Plug Tube Gaskets, Part # 11193-16010 No need to replace as of yet but it is recommended
2-Intake Plenum Gaskets (both the upper & lower are the same part), Part # 17176-62040
16-Washer Seals (for the valve cover bolts) Part # 90210-05007 While I'm at it, might as well change them

All parts are genuine Toyota, OEM parts costing me less than $100 shipped.
I will also take this time that the spark plugs will be accessible and replace them with NGK's Iridium plugs.

That's alot of good info M@D-M@X :thumb3: I think i'm going to have to do this myself sooner rather than later, same issue with oil it sounds like you were having. Definately appreciate you posting all of your research results.

EDIT: BTW how many miles do you have on your 2000? I noticed this around 85k on my 01', just wandering if thats similar to around the time you noticed yours.

 

[M@D-M@X]

rjaudi - Thx for the confirmation.

therealtor1 - I have just under 70K but I'm thinking it has very little to do with mileage. I think it has to do more with the cycles on temperature changes.
In any case since this task will require quite some work, make sure you get your hands on a FSM and take advantage of this disassembly to replace other minor components also accessible with this repair.
I also decided to go with factory parts since I have not found much feedback on the aftermarket ones.
A friend of mine told me that if you see oil residue on the heads but it doesn't affect your oil level between oil changes, than you still have some time before replacing them. If the oil level is affected, then it could become an issue and it should be handled.