Replacing Valve Cover Gaskets - A True Write Up - **PICTURES**
- Thread starter ramonortiz55
- Start date
ramonortiz55
New member
jasonochs25
New member
Ramon, I started this fiasco. I used this write up and a few others as well as vids to do an injector replacement and decided to do my valve covers while I was in there. When I got done (and during, actually) I made some comments that there are a few steps that arent necessary. After pointing this out, all hell broke loose and Im the dick of the year. Oh well. I learned a bit from this and other write ups and certainly appreciate the time and energy you and others have put in to doing this, but....there are a couple things that could have been left out or done differently.
Anyway, I tried giving credit where it was due, but the whole forum caved on me and I said eff it. Like I said, good write up. I appreciate it and the pics. Same to any others that do write ups. I learned a bit. I also learned that not everything HAS TO be done. Good day sir....Happy wheeling
Great write up...this one took me about 4 hours, sadly I know for a fact I forgot to bend down the little tabs that hold the spark plug gaskets in place on the drivers side.
I was so impressed by how quickly I did that side after struggling with the passenger side that I got carried away but not letting that one worry me
I was so impressed by how quickly I did that side after struggling with the passenger side that I got carried away but not letting that one worry me
firstsouth
New member
Everything was going smooth until a chunk of old seal packing fell off onto the head then disappeared under the cam shaft into what I assume is a hole above the valve. I can't see the piece anymore. The piece was approx 3mm x 8mm...
If this gets ingested into the cylinder via the valve, do you think this will cause damage or just burn up? I may try to get a shop vac nozzle under there (carefully) and see if I can suck it out.
Any idea how screwed, or not, I am?
If this gets ingested into the cylinder via the valve, do you think this will cause damage or just burn up? I may try to get a shop vac nozzle under there (carefully) and see if I can suck it out.
Any idea how screwed, or not, I am?
Joelzy
New member
its not getting into the cylinder from that side.
if anything it went down an oil passage and could end up in the pan which would be ideal. Not a straight shot though so it might live somewhere in between now.
It would not make it back up the screen on the pickup at that size or anywhere near it so it would sit in the pan if it makes it that far.
Chunhe
New member
Thanks for the wright up. Like you said. I own it lol I took my time looking and taking pics of everything as well as when removing. Just bought Betsy about 3 weeks ago. Had 231,000 miles but the frame/chassis has minimal rust for being a Midwest car. She had all the bells & whistles on my list. Just waiting on gaskets and other parts to keep going. I’ll take out the covers and start cleaning everything up so when parts arrive, I’m ahead of the game. It’s literally been over 20 years since I fiddle with a car. Last time was on 1st gen RX-7s.
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squaregrouper2
New member
Can someone clarify if the cam plugs come in a pack of 2 or singles from Rock Auto. They show two in the pick which leads me to believe its 2 per pack and I would just need 2 packs.
Also are the half moon plugs single per plug so I need 4 total?
Also are the half moon plugs single per plug so I need 4 total?
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Chunhe
New member
Yes, two cam plugs in pack. Bought those myself. Didn't get the moons halves tho. Mine were fine. Are yours bad or just a precaution?
Chunhe
New member
Took a few days but all in all, it's not that bad if you take your time and have the right tools. I replaced drivers side cover due to a crack. Still very happy with the runner. Feel like I can still get many years of use out of her.
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Stockton4Runner
New member
So I did all this and it went fine. When I started her back up one of the lines to the bottom of the throttle body for coolant was cracked and it leaked coolant everywhere. I replaced that line and everything was good. Until the next time I started it and it ran for 5 minutes. Tons of white smoke started come out of the exhaust. Like couldn’t see across the street amount of white smoke. Smells slightly like coolant, not as strong as a blown head gasket, but for sure a lil sweet. It went away after a few minutes and was ok. Until the next time I let it warm up. Five minutes after start up, lots and lots of white smoke for a few minutes then goes away. PLEASE, any ideas. This is driving me crazy. Everything was great before the gasket replacement. I replaced the valve cover gaskets because of oil on my spark plugs. Thank you for any help.
4Reak Show
New member
You mixed up a coolant line with the vacuum breather line. Both go under the throttle body. Your engine is pumping coolant into the intake
mtbtim
Elite Member
Bingo! And, he's not the first to do this.
squaregrouper2
New member
Spot on! For sure the issue.
Stockton4Runner
New member
Thanks. Saves that headache.
