New, Not super cary savvy. Valve cover question.

[jonnychestnuts]

So I purchased a 2002 2wd SR5 in March. My very first car was a 1991 4runner and I absolutely loved and came back around to the wonderful world of Runners. I have notice a little bit of leakage, so while getting emissions done I asked the auto shop to take a look and they said it is the valve cover gaskets that needed replacing. I am not the most mechanically inclined, the most I have done in the past is a basic oil change, battery replacement and swapped out wipers and bulbs. I have read a couple of the how to guides on replacing the valve cover gasket but am still not sure if I will be able to handle it. On the other hand I have no desire to pay my shop or the dealer between $350-$600 to have it done. So basically what do I need to know before jumping into this or should I just bite the bullet and have them do it.

Thanks!

 

[KidVermicious]

You can handle it. You don't need anything besides basic tools (box end wrenches, socket set and driver, screwdrivers). Hit up Doc2012 for a copy of the factory service manual, takes lots of pics before you start, post up if you get stuck and guys will be happy to help. You can totally do this.

 

[jgue467]

Have you at least tried snugging them up? 10mm, worry mostly about the lower ones on each side, no more than 4-5foot Inches (not pounds) is adequate. Mine were So loose I could turn most of them by hand. Then clean up what you can, it will take weeks/months for the remnants to finish burning off on exhaust. Luck! :cowboy:

 

[Mellemel]

Just want to jump in with a question here, my V C gaskets needs replacing really, although not leaking badly I do get the smell of the hot oil, I keep wiping and gently re-tightening the bolts down. There's no real issue if you don't replace the gaskets is there apart from the mess and smell ?

 

[jonnychestnuts]

Thanks for the support! I'm gonna give it the ole college try on sunday. How vital is getting this fixed. It isn't like pools of oil but just a little drip? Is this something that will destroy my ride or is it fall under the less important scale of repairs.

 

[KidVermicious]

If oil is just seeping out, it's not an emergency. If you can tolerate the smell and are willing to check the oil level frequently, you can go on like that for a while.

They're going to get worse eventually though, and make a bigger mess as they do. Deal with it now, if for no other reason than to set the precedent with yourself.

 

[jonnychestnuts]

That is very good advice. Sunday is going to be the day. I'm honestly pretty excited about it haha.

 

[shootmymime]

no more than 4-5foot Inches (not pounds) is adequate.

ummm what? your units dont make any sense. foot inches?

the correct answer is 6 Newton* meters or 4.4 Ft*Lbs or 53.1 inch*lbs they are all the same just unit conversions.

From the FSM
INSTALL CYLINDER HEAD COVERS
(a) Apply seal packing to the cylinder heads as shown in the
illustration.
Seal packing: Part No. 08826-00080 or equivalent
(b) Install the gasket to the cylinder head cover.
(c) Install the cylinder head cover with the 8 bolts. Uniformly
tighten the bolts in several passes. Install the 2 cylinder
head covers.
Torque: 6 N·m (60 kgf·cm, 53 in.·lbf)

 

[jeremyc74]

I was just watching a timing belt video and this was in the sidebar. Worth watching to see what you're getting into. Shouldn't be too bad. With all the internet info available these days it's hard to get into too much trouble.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrerVyQa5ZI

 

[gamefreakgc]

This thread will help, but is overkill. You do not need to replace the half moons, but you can do the rear cams seals for peace of mind since the do leak often. I think the seals were like $4 each or something.

Also, I've used Fel-Pro gaskets on every car I've owned and they have never failed me. Toyota gaskets are so darn expensive.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...e-cover-gasket-replacement-part-s-n-pics.html

 

[jonnychestnuts]

This thread will help, but is overkill. You do not need to replace the half moons, but you can do the rear cams seals for peace of mind since the do leak often. I think the seals were like $4 each or something.

Also, I've used Fel-Pro gaskets on every car I've owned and they have never failed me. Toyota gaskets are so darn expensive.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...e-cover-gasket-replacement-part-s-n-pics.html

I'm a bit confused by your comment. I did a decent amount of research and people have said it was easy, but I had no reference to their background as far as what kind of mechanical experience they have. This thread gives me a lot of confidence that I will be able to handle it.

 

[whiskytango]

I'm a bit confused by your comment. I did a decent amount of research and people have said it was easy, but I had no reference to their background as far as what kind of mechanical experience they have. This thread gives me a lot of confidence that I will be able to handle it.

I think what he meant is that the thread he just linked to has good information but that he does not feel all of the steps are necessary. Replacing the metal half moons for instance is not necessary since you can reuse the old ones.

And yes, you can do this. I did mine a couple of years ago without much experience and got it done thanks to some write-ups from this site and YT. Here's a tip though: I am about to do mine again because I didn't replace the cam plugs last time and they started leaking shortly after I did the gaskets. So you might want to consider doing the cam plugs while you're in there. The plugs are the ones in the back by the way, not to be confused with the cam seals.

Edit: Oh and take pictures or and or mark hose locations so that it's easier when putting it all back together. The pictures I took last time really helped as reference when putting the hoses back together.

 

[T4R2014]

Parts will be around $150(that's how much I spent). Make sure you put in new cam plugs and reseal all four half moon plugs. It is definitely doable by yourself with the right tools and manuals. I had my mechanic do mine because I didn't have the time.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

Key mistakes most people make replacing valve cover gaskets (on any vehicle) and I'll say each twice because it happens so often:

Do not over-torque.
Do not over-torque.

Torque around the cover slowly and evenly.
Torque around the cover slowly and evenly.

Otherwise - piece of cake.

 

[weekendclimber]

I've priced these part recently and if you want a look at my spreadsheet for part numbers and links, let me know. I've got it at $95.74 with replacing the plenum gaskets and the half-moon seals (cam seals). Without the half-moon seals it comes to $71.94.

Ebay OEM VC Gasket Kit

 

[gamefreakgc]

I think what he meant is that the thread he just linked to has good information but that he does not feel all of the steps are necessary. Replacing the metal half moons for instance is not necessary since you can reuse the old ones.

And yes, you can do this. I did mine a couple of years ago without much experience and got it done thanks to some write-ups from this site and YT. Here's a tip though: I am about to do mine again because I didn't replace the cam plugs last time and they started leaking shortly after I did the gaskets. So you might want to consider doing the cam plugs while you're in there. The plugs are the ones in the back by the way, not to be confused with the cam seals.

Edit: Oh and take pictures or and or mark hose locations so that it's easier when putting it all back together. The pictures I took last time really helped as reference when putting the hoses back together.

Yeah, that's what I meant. Don't need to buy all the parts mentioned in that post if all you have are leaky valve cover gaskets. No sense in possibly damaging your cams if the half-moons are still good. They are very difficult to remove anyway.

Just be sure to take lots of pictures before, especially of the vacuum lines. It's really easy to get them mixed up when putting it all back together. Ask me how I know!