valve cover gasket question.. loose bolts?

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

My valve bolts were loose as well. Found drops of oil on the driver's side floor. Bolts were loose in the bottom half of the cover. I'm wondering if the upper bolts are loose as well. I tightened the bottom only because I didn't want to remove the intake. It temporarily fixed the problem. What can I add to the bolt to keep it torqued and not loosen? Buy new bolts? Would locktite be good for this application?

I believe the real reason is not the bolts coming loose but the rubber shrinking/hardening a little in the bolt seals and the gasket itself. Affect is still the same though.

Also, nothing wrong with a little BLUE loctite on bolts like these with extremely low torque values (and other bolts too) Wouldn't help in this instance if my theory is true (and I believe it is) Red is a no-no however.

 

[mtbtim]

you will have to replace the vave cover gaskets and rétorque the bolts to 6 N-m or 53 inch pounds . And do not use loctite.it is not that difficult

here is a great writeup [MENTION=122940]ramonortiz55[/MENTION]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...cover-gaskets-true-write-up-**pictures**.html

Or, if you prefer videos over pictures, watch this:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N5fAXAuGozI" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[spartacus]

Or, if you prefer videos over pictures, watch this:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N5fAXAuGozI" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Yes watch mtbtim or Tim's video it will boost your confidence.

 

[cashflow50]

you will have to replace the vave cover gaskets and rétorque the bolts to 6 N-m or 53 inch pounds . And do not use loctite.it is not that difficult

here is a great writeup [MENTION=122940]ramonortiz55[/MENTION]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...cover-gaskets-true-write-up-**pictures**.html

the funny thing is that I already did the valve and intake gaskets not too long ago. Approx 3 months. Bolts torqued to specs. thats why i was asking if i needed to install new bolts or using loctite.

 

[spartacus]

the funny thing is that I already did the valve and intake gaskets not too long ago. Approx 3 months. Bolts torqued to specs. thats why i was asking if i needed to install new bolts or using loctite.

you did the vc gaskets and the bolts are already loose and you have a leak that's surprising.
I have seen valve covers Crack just by tightening them in the wrong order or over tightening them I have also seen the valve cover corners Crack from engine vibration and tight bolts so I don't favor loctite for vc bolts but I have tightened them preodically when loose to the torque spec by removing the upper intake plenum it'doesn't take much time. I would suggest you do the same.