Valve Cover Gasket replacement time...

[bak3rme]

Alright so for the last couple oil changes done at the dealership..they've recommend me to replace my valve cover gaskets. I could smell the burning oil when I get out of the car sometimes, but it never dripped onto the ground. Got under the car yesterday, took off the skids and saw alot of oil all over. I guess both gaskets are leaking because there is oil on my starter, and also oil on the other side. I read a couple threads on T4R.ORG and YOTATECH.COM on how to replace them. seems like i got the basic idea down, simple job..but takes a while. what I am worried about is getting the correct parts.

A friend recommended Aisin replacement parts since they are OEM, and I plan on getting the best parts that are reliable. He said the kit he got ran about 120ish

This thread , the OP posted the replacement part numbers and quantity of them.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/91765-valve-cover-gasket.html

I then searched on toyotapartszone.com and added the items to my cart. Total was:
<a href="http://s43.photobucket.com/albums/e358/tran61021/?action=view&current=Shoppingcart.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e358/tran61021/Shoppingcart.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

I was wondering since I'm about to tackle this job. what is recommend during this? what parts recommended. Any tips/pointers would be helpful. anyone in atlanta area have FSM i can borrow also?

thanks!
I'll try to snap some pics tomorrow of the underside and hopefully document it as I go along

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Just curious, have you tried tightening them? Just about every car I've ever bought has had leaky valve covers, just about all of them had loose valve cover bolts. Tighten them down, leak went away. I'd try it first if you haven't already.

 

[bak3rme]

Just curious, have you tried tightening them? Just about every car I've ever bought has had leaky valve covers, just about all of them had loose valve cover bolts. Tighten them down, leak went away. I'd try it first if you haven't already.

I've heard about this. I did go out yesterday and tighten down the 4 bolts on the passenger side that i had access to. and 3 on the driver side that i could access. however there are 8 bolts total on each valve cover. I think i need to take off alot of parts to access the other 4..so while i'm at it i thought i'd just do all of it anyways??? good idea? i mean i do have 285k miles on the truck..and i dont think they have ever been changed.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Definitely not hurting anything by changing them, just figured I'd try to save you some time. I tightened the 4i can see on each one (thought there only were 4 per side) and mine stopped leaking. I'll change them when I have to dig into it further.

 

[LittleCaesar]

Just try and tighten them all first; if the leaks are coming from the semi circular plugs and/or the cam seal plug, I'd recommend removing the valve covers and changing the gaskets. Ishino makes the OEM ones.

And don't forget your Toyota black FIPG.

 

[Smog-guy707]

I just did mine a few weeks back because oil was starting to seep through and i wanted to d it before it got outta hand or i forgt about it.Its a fairly simple job...very staright forward. i did remove the hood to make access to everyting a lot easier, but you dont have to

theres vacuum lines, 3 throttle linkages, a few bolts and nuts for the uppem manifold and a few other for the middle part of the manifold.

while trying to remove the valve cover from the driver side i had to move the wiring harness a bit and ended up ripping the wire for the cooland gauge sending unit...so be carefull

 

[bak3rme]

alright well i did tighten them down...i'm gunna degrease it down and see if there still is a leak.

but if there is..i'll go ahead and do it. how about those parts i mentioned in the first post?? those seem alright? good to go with the payment on that one?

 

[Stick Figure]

Take a look at the vacuum lines you will be removing for the job, and if it looks brittle you may pick up a couple feet of each size from an auto parts store before you start. Other thing you will have perfect access to while your doing the job is the spark plugs.

Only other warning is make sure when you move the wiring harness out of the way and the hard plastic cover crumbles, that you don't let any of the pieces drop in anywhere bad.

service manual can be found here Toyota Tacoma/ 4Runner/ Tundra/ FJ Cruiser Factory Service Manual Page

 

[LittleCaesar]

The toyota FIPG part# is: 00295-00103. If you do change the gaskets, redo the 4 semi-circular plugs.

Also the camshaft housing plug #: 11188-62010. Need one for each side.