Replacing Valve Cover Gaskets - A True Write Up - **PICTURES**

[USMC_Spike]

Just do a Google search for the 2 volume set for your year. You'll eventually find a set for sale most likely on EBay.

As for this repair, the video [MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] and I made for this repair has all the torque values you need.
https://youtu.be/N5fAXAuGozI

I'll check it out.
That was fast too.

Next up I need to (I think) replace the vapor filter canister in my old runner.
Is there a simple solution to this? My T4R is a 2001, dealer said
it was the only year with my canister and it's $580.

Is there a good link for this too?

Thanks for the video going to check it out too.

Cheers

 

[cashflow50]

I just finished my valve cover work thanks to this thread it was a walk in the park. Freezing the spark plug gaskets was smart. It went in easy, although i had to use the old ones to help me push it in place. thank you for making this how to.

 

[MikeMH]

I just completed this myself thanks 100% to this guide. I started Friday night and worked on it a few hours each night, finishing Wednesday (nice to have a well lit garage). All in all not too bad.

On the driver's side I was able to get a little more slack in the wire harness by unhooking the clip at the front under the timing belt cover and popping it off the bracket straight down from the oil filler cap. Then I removed the 4 bolts holding the front timing belt cover on and that allowed me to loosen it enough to move the wire harness up from underneath it.

I did most everything on my own but my wife helped with removing and reinstalling the valve covers by moving harnesses/hoses/etc out of the way. An extra set of hands definitely helps for those.

 

[psraff]

Well one more quality part from Amazon that won't ship to Alaska. Thanks Ishino!:deadhorse::deadhorse::deadhorse:

Same with Amazon Prime. The third option wanted to charge me $85 to ship it to me. This sh!t is getting stupid!!! I can understand the radiator costing me money to get up here, but $85 for something you can put in a $12 Flat Rate Box...

 

[sakoluvr]

Well one more quality part from Amazon that won't ship to Alaska. Thanks Ishino!:deadhorse::deadhorse::deadhorse:

Same with Amazon Prime. The third option wanted to charge me $85 to ship it to me. This sh!t is getting stupid!!! I can understand the radiator costing me money to get up here, but $85 for something you can put in a $12 Flat Rate Box...

Call Camelback online parts, don't order online. Ask for George. He is great to deal with and will work with you. I recently bought 3 radiators from them. He said said he couldn't ship for free because of the size/weight but only charged me $20.00!

 

[sakoluvr]

My son and I did the gaskets on his '97 today. Long day but it went well. Used Tim's suggestion to wrap the wire harness with metal duct tape. Had his video on one tablet and the picture write up on another. Not sure how much the dealer wanted but I know I had to save at least 500 bucks. I also did not bend the tabs to install the spark plug tube gaskets. Did not freeze the gaskets either.

 

[beefsix]

My son and I did the gaskets on his '97 today. Long day but it went well. Used Tim's suggestion to wrap the wire harness with metal duct tape. Had his video on one tablet and the picture write up on another. Not sure how much the dealer wanted but I know I had to save at least 500 bucks. I also did not bend the tabs to install the spark plug tube gaskets. Did not freeze the gaskets either.

Nice job, sakoluvr. It's nice to know other people are able to take cracks at this too. On another note, I think I found the right bolt for the job if your bolt gets rounded on the rear cam seal. The part number is 90119-A0302. Toyota discontinued the original 1/2 threaded shoulder bolts and added another 1/4 of thread to it for some reason. I also know nothing about bolts besides rounding them off, lmao. I will post a pic of the bolts when I get them along with an old vs. new.

 

[jasonochs25]

Im doing mine right now. Actually went in to do the injectors but figured Id replace the gaskets while Im there...O have to say...this write up...and every other one...there are tricks that make things a lot easier. Ramon, Why did you split the upper and lower? No need. Ive never done this and figured that out. Also, removing brackets and cables that dont need to be removed....I take my time too, but you can save so much time by looking at the job and REALLY realizing what needs to be disconnected and what needs to be removed rather than just remove EVERYTHING just because...
Im 2.5 hours in and got the new injectors in and headed for the gaskets next. And Im taking my time...

 

[jasonochs25]

My son and I did the gaskets on his '97 today. Long day but it went well. Used Tim's suggestion to wrap the wire harness with metal duct tape. Had his video on one tablet and the picture write up on another. Not sure how much the dealer wanted but I know I had to save at least 500 bucks. I also did not bend the tabs to install the spark plug tube gaskets. Did not freeze the gaskets either.

Awesome! Yeah, you dont need to bend the tabs or freeze the gaskets/seals. Im proud of you for NOT following these write ups to a "T' because they are misleading and misinformation is rampant. Id NEVER cover a gasket surface with all that silicone...SMH

 

[mtbtim]

Awesome! Yeah, you dont need to bend the tabs or freeze the gaskets/seals. Im proud of you for NOT following these write ups to a "T' because they are misleading and misinformation is rampant. Id NEVER cover a gasket surface with all that silicone...SMH

While I agree with you that not everything in a video or write-up should be blindly followed to a T, be happy that guys like Ramon, my buddy Sean, many other on this forum and I put forth the effort to provide you with information to use as a reference. There's quite often more than one way to get something done and just because you chose a different method doesn't mean the other guy was necessarily wrong.

It's pretty easy to armchair quarterback somebody's work. Instead of bagging on the guys write-up, maybe you should thank him for putting forth the effort for other people's benefit. Better yet, try your hand at making a write-up or video and see how much work it is. Maybe then you'll have a different attitude towards the people trying to do something good for our 3rd Gen Community.

 

[jasonochs25]

Been thinking about doing some write ups as we speak. And yes, I DO appreciate the effort these guys put in to doing a write up, but...How Can I put this....there are easier ways to do things and I am no master mechanic but this is one of the easiet thigs Ive done. These write ups I watch to prepare myself scare the crap out of me...Heck, One on a starter R&R had me terrified. Then I figured they did many many extra steps and When I finally did mine, it was 20 minutes...once again...not trying to bash, and I do appreciate the effort, but dammit. WORK SMART

 

[jasonochs25]

Or better yet...just ignore me because Im a dumb ass.

 

[mtbtim]

Been thinking about doing some write ups as we speak. And yes, I DO appreciate the effort these guys put in to doing a write up, but...How Can I put this....there are easier ways to do things and I am no master mechanic but this is one of the easiet thigs Ive done. These write ups I watch to prepare myself scare the crap out of me...Heck, One on a starter R&R had me terrified. Then I figured they did many many extra steps and When I finally did mine, it was 20 minutes...once again...not trying to bash, and I do appreciate the effort, but dammit. WORK SMART

Well, I'd love to see you remove and replace a starter in a 4WD 3rd Gen in 20 minutes. I guess if you anticipated every tool you needed and it was right there at your side, maybe you could swap it out in 20 minutes. What I've found on forums like this is people seriously understate how long it actually took them for a job. "Yeah, I replaced my auto trans in 2 hours." Bullshit!

Anyway dude, just be mindful how you come across in your posts. For guys like me making videos, I often don't have the benefit of using somebody's write-up or video as a reference. I look at the FSM and then just go for it. Sometimes we figure out the easiest way to get something done and sometimes we don't. Nobody's perfect, not even you.

 

[jasonochs25]

Well about the starter...You know the dipstick for the trans comes apart, right? Yeah. I didnt either until I started tearing into it. Also, some write ups call for a 3 foot extension or some crap. No...not necesary. I do have to say that most of the write ups at least give me an idea of what size tools I am going to need. Tell you what..I'll turn my recorder on and drop my starter tomorrow. Well see how long it takes. Ill get with you about it. And please dont get me wrong...I DO get info from these write ups. They ARE helpful. BUT, there is a lot of useless info, wrong info, unnecesary info in 99.9% of them. I usually try to watch 3, 4, 5, 10 to see what I'm really getting myself in to. This latest one....I have the new injectors in withing 2 hours...Now, the valve covers took a bit longer, but still... I had NO issue, didnt freeze the seals, didnt bend the tabs back, etc. Some of this info comes from a Toyota service book that has to show why they charge 98.5 hours for a tire rotation...That being said, most technicians dont take near as long as the hours theyre alotted.

 

[jasonochs25]

Well, I'd love to see you remove and replace a starter in a 4WD 3rd Gen in 20 minutes. I guess if you anticipated every tool you needed and it was right there at your side, maybe you could swap it out in 20 minutes. What I've found on forums like this is people seriously understate how long it actually took them for a job. "Yeah, I replaced my auto trans in 2 hours." Bullshit!

Anyway dude, just be mindful how you come across in your posts. For guys like me making videos, I often don't have the benefit of using somebody's write-up or video as a reference. I look at the FSM and then just go for it. Sometimes we figure out the easiest way to get something done and sometimes we don't. Nobody's perfect, not even you.

I really dont see where the hostility is coming from other than me kind of saying that most write ups are BS, but I'll drop my starter for YOU...JUST FOR YOU.

 

[jasonochs25]

apparently I hurt somebodys feelings....

 

[jasonochs25]

see mtbtim...youre on the other end of the spectrum. I look at these write-ups and you tube walk throughs to plan on how long I am going to have to set aside. I can NOT miss work, so I try to see what others are doing to get the same issues done. I really do appreciate the work and time put into the write ups, BUT when I see 3, 4 that incinuate a 16 hour job and I plan accordingly, and finish in 4 hours, Im like WTF. Grateful yes, but disappointed as well. And to think that this video is showing hundreds or even thosands a BS way of doing something..Just pisses me off

 

[mtbtim]

I really dont see where the hostility is coming from other than me kind of saying that most write ups are BS, but I'll drop my starter for YOU...JUST FOR YOU.

Dude, I'll spell it out for you. You pretty much shit on Ramon's write-up with your post and made a blanket statement that many write-ups are filled with misinformation. There's no hurt feelings. I call things like I see them. You came across like you're superior and others that came before you don't know what the hell they're doing.

Most write-ups are BS? I think a lot of people on this forum wouldn't agree with you. I wonder what you'd say about the videos I've made with my buddy Sean. We're probably morons as well.

You don't need to do anything for me. I know how long it takes to pull a starter.

 

[jasonochs25]

Dude, I'll spell it out for you. You pretty much shit on Ramon's write-up with your post and made a blanket statement that many write-ups are filled with misinformation. There's no hurt feelings. I call things like I see them. You came across like you're superior and others that came before you don't know what the hell they're doing.

Most write-ups are BS? I think a lot of people on this forum wouldn't agree with you. I wonder what you'd say about the videos I've made with my buddy Sean. We're probably morons as well.

You don't need to do anything for me. I know how long it takes to pull a starter.

ok then.

 

[jasonochs25]

whats your deal? EVERY POST, I have given cradit and also stated that ive used knowledge from the write-ups and videos i watch..I just get upset at the unneccesary procedures and stuff. Whats your deal? You tell me I can do something and then when I go to show you proof, you crawfish and resort to being a prick and group you and ALL other write up "Pros" as if youre in another league because youve done a write up or two...I have no clue whether you have or not, but by the snowflake attitude, Im guessing you HAVE and didnt like me saying most are BS.