Valve Cover Gasket leaking

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buch75

New member
My 2002 4Runner (v6) has started to leak on the left bank of cylinders, right bank is clean. dealer wants $700 to change the valve cover gasket. timing belt is also due to be replaced, they quoted $1300 for belts, water pump and a bunch of seals (driveshaft seal, etc).

last time I had the belts changed(and water pump) it ran approx $400.

so there's another $800-$900 worth of "replacing seals" in their quote.

truck has 140,000 miles. does it really need the seals replaced?

thanks
 
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Try this to stop the valve cover leaks (DO NOT USE A RATCHET). Use a 10 mm box socket and an extension. Just by using your hand turn the extension. I had a leak on both valve covers and now all fine after simply turning each bolt about 1/2 a turn by hand.

How did you know the timing belt is due? do you see a sticker with mileage written on it for the most recent timing belt replacement?

If you are going to replace the timing belt, you have to change 2 cam seals, 1 crank seal in the front of the engine. why do you need a drive shaft seal at 140 K miles?

Find a local mechanic who knows TOYOTA trucks. You can buy OEM AISIN parts on ebay and pay the labor.
 
You are in Santa Monica?

I'd suggest you go over to Yota Masters in Corona, CA.

It is an independent Toyota shop that is well reviewed by members here.
 
dealer wanted 800 for valve covers here, i just bought the parts for about 70, havent gotten around to doing it though
 
Swimmerboy2112 said:
$700 for valve cover gaskets!? Good lord! Takes about an hour if you know what you're doing!
Click to expand...

An hour? No way that's with doing the half moon reseal, camshaft plugs, spark plug seals, along with finagling around that friggin' wire harness on the driver's side. Took me 45 minutes just to get everything apart with an air ratchet and I was very methodical doing it.
 
What is a "driveshaft seal", anyway? Is that like a Johnson rod?
Seriously, those prices are a bit loony.
 
buch75 said:
My 2002 4Runner (v6) has started to leak on the left bank of cylinders, right bank is clean. dealer wants $700 to change the valve cover gasket. timing belt is also due to be replaced, they quoted $1300 for belts, water pump and a bunch of seals (driveshaft seal, etc).

last time I had the belts changed(and water pump) it ran approx $400.

so there's another $800-$900 worth of "replacing seals" in their quote.

truck has 140,000 miles. does it really need the seals replaced?

thanks
Click to expand...

Mine has been leaking for 4 or 5 years. I got a quote the other day from the dealership for $443 for both valve cover gaskets. You could try just tightening up the bolts to make sure they are properly torqued first.
 
buch75 said:
My 2002 4Runner (v6) has started to leak on the left bank of cylinders, right bank is clean. dealer wants $700 to change the valve cover gasket. timing belt is also due to be replaced, they quoted $1300 for belts, water pump and a bunch of seals (driveshaft seal, etc).

last time I had the belts changed(and water pump) it ran approx $400.

so there's another $800-$900 worth of "replacing seals" in their quote.

truck has 140,000 miles. does it really need the seals replaced?

thanks
Click to expand...

Tighten to 54in-pounds (not foot-pounds) with a 10mm socket/extensions/swivel, you can only get to the lower ones w/out removing components but those are the ones leaking. Mine were so loose i could turn them by hand, they require annual snugging up but have stayed leak free several years now. Then clean the oil mess, if any has dripped onto exhaust that could take a few weeks to finish burning off but it will. Luck!
 
Mine started showing signs of leaking at 60k miles. Back then it was just a slight oil stain around the edges. Dealer recommended them be changed back then.


Now, at 170, they are showing greater signs of leaking, and it's starting to run down onto the exhaust and power steering rack, so I will probably be replacing them this spring/summer...


When I did my timing belt, I did not replace cam or crank seals, however, for my next timing belt job I will probably have to do that as well...
 
I'd love to be able to replace mine in an hour; I'd say it was 3 hours total for the whole works without letting the FIPG harden up.

Replacing the crank seal takes all of ten minutes with the right tool.
 
I think the shop you went to does not know how to work on Toyotas. The 2nd gens were a complete mess of wires, hoses, and tight spaces that took time but the 3rd gens are a piece of cake to work on. Their quote shows they have never done it before or are just plain trying to rip you off.

I just did the valve cover myself (and I don't claim to be a professional mechanic by any means like lots of guys on this forum) and it cost me about $200. That included a new fuel filter, new spark plugs, new wires, and a bunch of other things. It can be done in a day or less if you have a repair manual to guide you. Plus if you like clean looking engines you can take your time and de-grease those nasty old valve covers to look brand new again. Just don't mix up where your fuel return hose goes :)
 
Estimate '03 4runner valve cover gasket

My '03 is a beast and I take care of her. She hit 170K recently, so I brought her to a local shop for a maintenance check. I'm a woman and get worried about being taken advantage of. Of the $2700 they said I need in repairs, one of the things they said was my right valve cover gasket is creating engine leaks. Here's the quote:

Job06: VALVE COVER GASKET(S), R&R
Labor: $257.60
PARTS CLEANER 1.0 @ 4.32 =$ 4.32
Valve Cover Gasket-Lef 1.0 @ 29.24 =$ 29.24
Valve Cover Gasket-Rig 1.0 @ 24.02 =$ 24.02
Spark Plug Tube Seal 8.0 @ 4.76 =$ 38.08
Valve Cover O-Ring Set 1.0 @ 53.31 =$ 53.31 148.97
Job Subtotal: $406.57

Is $406.57 reasonable for this repair?
 
ambie said:
My '03 is a beast and I take care of her. She hit 170K recently, so I brought her to a local shop for a maintenance check. I'm a woman and get worried about being taken advantage of. Of the $2700 they said I need in repairs, one of the things they said was my right valve cover gasket is creating engine leaks. Here's the quote:

Job06: VALVE COVER GASKET(S), R&R
Labor: $257.60
PARTS CLEANER 1.0 @ 4.32 =$ 4.32
Valve Cover Gasket-Lef 1.0 @ 29.24 =$ 29.24
Valve Cover Gasket-Rig 1.0 @ 24.02 =$ 24.02
Spark Plug Tube Seal 8.0 @ 4.76 =$ 38.08
Valve Cover O-Ring Set 1.0 @ 53.31 =$ 53.31 148.97
Job Subtotal: $406.57

Is $406.57 reasonable for this repair?
Click to expand...

That's pretty reasonable, I paid around $400 for mine. Stealership will try to charge $700-800 for the same job
 
LittleCaesar said:
I'd love to be able to replace mine in an hour; I'd say it was 3 hours total for the whole works without letting the FIPG harden up.

Replacing the crank seal takes all of ten minutes with the right tool.
Click to expand...

This! I've done it twice now and taking your time, drinking beer, and being careful it's about a 3 hour job. Not bad at all.
 
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