Oil sludge build up around the valve covers?

[Lowriderman234]

So I went to look at another 98 4Runner for sale today and when I looked at the engine there was oil sludge build up above the headers. It started smoking when the engine was warming up. What kind of problem would that be? Valve cover gasket?

little info:
it's going for $2500 with 248k miles

 

[Trikz]

I believe you're correct. I'm having a valve cover leak problem with my own T4R. The smoke is most likely due to the oil burning on top of the headers. The first time, I got it fixed at Pep Boys for around $150. Would've done it myself but I don't have the space to do any heavy maintenance at my home.

 

[downpour11]

Valve cover gasket leak. I have the same problem, the oil is dripping on the exhaust manifold that's why it's smoking.
Just replace the gaskets. Don't try and tighten those bolts thinking it will help stop the leak, it could crack the valve cover.

 

[BrianSD_42]

with those miles and such a clear lack of maintenance I would be very concerned about sludge build up.

 

[Bishard]

No biggie. Just replaced my valve cover gasket and it too was leaking onto exhaust manifold. Have the seller pull valve cover and inspect for sludge buildup. Hopefully it looks like this.

 

[Lowriderman234]

Alright. I wonder if the seller would even pull the valve covers apart.

 

[awpsome]

they might but its not just a 5 minute pull.
if anything passenger will require the least amount of effort but even at that, if they are going to take it off anyway whether you buy it or not they mind as well do the valve cover gaskets since its off.
depending on the person's mechanic skill level it can take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour to get just the passenger off with the right tools.. possibly.. im just guessing since i did mines the other month and took around 2 hours to do both sides start to finish.
but yes not much to worry about, valve covers are regular maintenance

 

[rickashay]

If everything else on the truck looks good you can always use it as a bartering tool to your advantage. Its not a cheap job but you can try getting the truck cheaper and then fixing it yourself. It's not the hugest issue IMO. I'd be more worried about engine compression, other past maintenance, steering components, and diffs at that mileage.

 

[Lowriderman234]

If everything else on the truck looks good you can always use it as a bartering tool to your advantage. Its not a cheap job but you can try getting the truck cheaper and then fixing it yourself. It's not the hugest issue IMO. I'd be more worried about engine compression, other past maintenance, steering components, and diffs at that mileage.

Well I'm still thinking of a good price on what I should purchase it for.. It has lots of rust spots on both rocker panels, rust hole on the skid plate, and above the rear passenger tire rust. (the top right of the wheel well) probably needs new tie rods too...