Update to my 4runner is spotting

[lewisb01]

Well after my post yesterday I got a number of different comments on what my spotting issue could be.

It kept bugging me today so tonight I took it to pepboys to see what the issue might be and what they came back with was I have very bad valve cover leak cost of repair $500 out the door ughhhhh!

On top of that I guess the tranny seal has a very very small leak that they felt wasnt worth working on right now they said when the day comes for that thats another $500.

So Im going to call the stealership tomorrow and see if they have a better, higher or same price as pepboys for the repair

 

[rdgt4r]

So a new toyota OEM valve cover will run you close to $200 the gaskets $30 or so bucks so save yourself 300 bucks right there on a valve cover replacement.

 

[lewisb01]

So a new toyota OEM valve cover will run you close to $200 the gaskets $30 or so bucks so save yourself 300 bucks right there on a valve cover replacement.

you must be talking about making this a DIY job? I dont have the tools or a garage to do this job and I live in ohio so its pretty cold to be doing this outside.

How long can I go before fixing this issue?

 

[rdgt4r]

There is a relatively low amount of oil as well low pressure up there. You just have to put up with the smoke and oil and smell. It doesn't take any special tools, and i cant find a write up for some reason.

 

[lewisb01]

There is a relatively low amount of oil as well low pressure up there. You just have to put up with the smoke and oil and smell. It doesn't take any special tools, and i cant find a write up for some reason.

I know this sounds odd but is there more than one valve cover gasket i.e. upper and lower or is just the one? (as you can tell by now im not a gear head)

 

[rdgt4r]

Well theres two valve covers, one driver top and one passenger top. So two gaskets plus the pcv but my new valve cover came with a new pcv gasket.

Im confused though is there a leak in the actual metal part of the cover or are the seals bad? If the seals are bad you would go to the store and get a set of gaskets.

 

[theizzardking]

Well theres two valve covers, one driver top and one passenger top. So two gaskets plus the pcv but my new valve cover came with a new pcv gasket.

Im confused though is there a leak in the actual metal part of the cover or are the seals bad? If the seals are bad you would go to the store and get a set of gaskets.

should just be the seals, he'd have a cracked head or worse if the valve cover it's self split from heat, that's no $500 at any shop.

they're quoting him $500 to replace a $30 gasket...... it really pays to know how to hold a wrench sometimes.....

where are you located maybe you can find a friendly forum member and bribe them with a lilttle cash and beer?

 

[rdgt4r]

should just be the seals, he'd have a cracked head or worse if the valve cover it's self split from heat, that's no $500 at any shop.

they're quoting him $500 to replace a $30 gasket...... it really pays to know how to hold a wrench sometimes.....

where are you located maybe you can find a friendly forum member and bribe them with a lilttle cash and beer?

Yeah I hear ya, but dare I say that I cracked a valve cover while replacing the seals haha. But yes please do not ever spend 500$ bucks on replacing the valve cover gaskets. We will help you do it your self, it took me about 2 hours to get it all done correctly. I like beer, heyyy where you at OP?

 

[lewisb01]

Guys,

I just got off the phone with the dealer and they want $550 and Pepboys just gave me a revised price of $486.

and yes it's only a $40 part from online places.

I live in Dayton, OH if anyone knows anybody in the area that knows how to do this I would be more than happy to pay for the parts, beer and compensate the persons time for doing this for me. I really dont want to pay $500 for this crap!!

 

[dirtycj5]

i just changed my valve cover gaskets on my 99. you gotta take off the top half of the intake to remove the valve covers from start to finish took me about an hour or so. intake gaskets are metal and can be reused. most shops will change these they run for about $200 for the set.
so i would say $450-500 is about right for this job

intake gaskets $200
valve cover gasket $40
coolant and desposel fee $40 +
labor $60 hr X2 $120 +
and mic stuff like pcv, they might find som bad vac lines, change the plugs, it would be good to change the oil, and clean the throttle body

 

[lewisb01]

i just changed my valve cover gaskets on my 99. you gotta take off the top half of the intake to remove the valve covers from start to finish took me about an hour or so. intake gaskets are metal and can be reused. most shops will change these they run for about $200 for the set.
so i would say $450-500 is about right for this job

intake gaskets $200
valve cover gasket $40
coolant and desposel fee $40 +
labor $60 hr X2 $120 +
and mic stuff like pcv, they might find som bad vac lines, change the plugs, it would be good to change the oil, and clean the throttle body

Sad part is the $486 price they gave me was with not replacing the metal gaskets.

it was labor $221
part $60
oil change $34
another charge for removing the intake $100 (which I think is total BS)
shop fees $35
tax $30

 

[dirtycj5]

Sad part is the $486 price they gave me was with not replacing the metal gaskets.

it was labor $221
part $60
oil change $34
another charge for removing the intake $100 (which I think is total BS)
shop fees $35
tax $30

wow $221 for labor. thats too much it doesent take that long too bad you dont live close to me i'll would do it for a case of beer

 

[rdgt4r]

Ouch! if i lived in OH i would help but im kinda far away. I didnt replace any intake gaskets and havnt had a problem, i probably should have, but it was a short cut and ive had zero problems. I thought we had a write up somewhere to help you out. damn search engine=kinda lame.

 

[lewisb01]

I think I've decided to wait on this project until spring. That way I can do the spark plugs and wires valve cover gasket all at once and since i'll be taking off the intake maybe i'll put a short ram on there to top off the install.

I just cant bring myself to pay $500 for a $40 part when alot of you guys on here who may or may not be mechanics are saying this job only takes an hour+ to do.

Holding off on this for a few months wont cause my car to blow up or anything will it? Keep in mind this isnt intended to be a daily driver however since I got my 4runner a week ago I havent wanted to drive my speed3 lol maybe that will wear off!!

 

[rdgt4r]

no your fine until spring for sure. Just check the oil level every now and then.
I dont know if you have tried yet but just try tightening up the bolts on each cover, that might help a little.