Troublesome oil leak

[xcmountain80]

Good morning,

I have an oil leak that makes me want to pull my hair out. I replaced my motor a year ago, and it seems like I'm no good at the valve cover gasket and RTV. The oil leak appears to be from the upper back portion nearest to the valve covers (firewall side). I have done and re-done the valve covers using the silicone gaskets rom napa and RTV in the 1/2 moon spots. This has been going on and getting worse, I'd like to take it to Toyota but feel I'm technically competent and may be missing something.

It also seems to be coming down both sides and not one more than another.

Help

Aaron

 

[jgue467]

Did ya use oem gaskets/parts? locktite on bolts? regardless I'm guessing you tightened them to spec in the Correct Order? That is absolutely critical. Try tightening for now, that works for many yet requires retorqueing every few months. Luck.

 

[BlackCat914]

Did you possibly over tighten and put a hairline crack in the valve cover? It's pretty easy to do.

 

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

Camshaft plugs next to the half moons?

 

[xcmountain80]

Did ya use oem gaskets/parts? locktite on bolts? regardless I'm guessing you tightened them to spec in the Correct Order? That is absolutely critical. Try tightening for now, that works for many yet requires retorqueing every few months. Luck.

No sadly, I did use NAPA gaskets which I like a bit better than OE in that regard. No loctite but good idea because they do back out but blue or red....guessing blue. The are being tightened to just above snug.... Order not really, I did every other one then crisscross was the patterned (like on a square wheel pattern).

Did you possibly over tighten and put a hairline crack in the valve cover? It's pretty easy to do.

I have cracked the driver side from portion of the valve cover in the past am repaired it, the leak does not originate there.

Camshaft plugs next to the half moons?

Hmm I'll look again post a photo if you have one, it would make the most sense because I'm getting a cascade effect that seems to be even.

Worst case I'll re-do the gaskets again torque to spec, blue loctite, and use only OE components. I'm just tired of doing these over and over. I'm not an idiot but certainly missing something.

 

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

Check out this http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/116069-3-4-valve-cover-gasket-replacement-part-s-n-pics.html

 

[xcmountain80]

That was helpful, the only thing I have NEVER changed was the camshaft plugs.

 

[xcmountain80]

Everything is buttoned up and leaks have stopped.....well now it's the oil cooler. Puddle puddle everywhere you'd think this was a Rover.