Hey guys Im loosing about a 1/2 quart of oil every 1000 miles or so due to my valve cover gaskets leaking. I was curious how difficult they are to replace and if it is better to go with a some sort of silicone gasket as opposed to the stock rubber one. Is there anything else that would be recommended I do while I have the top of the intake plenum off?
Valve Cover Gaskets
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badattitude
Member
I did mine two weeks ago. It' so nice to have a dry engine. You can do it your self.
I used the fel pro gasket kit for about $35 can be found on amazon.com. It included the spark plug tube gaskets. They needed to be replaced the old ones were brittle.
The key is to clean the gasket surface very good with brake cleaner or acetone. Use Toyota FIPG on the half moons and at the corners where the gasket goes over the cam.
Note, the plastic wire holder under the manifold will be very brittle, it will break and that's ok. Make sure to keep plastic bits out of the motor and tape it with electrical tape after you unplug the fuel injectors. Also, use a torque wrench when reassembling the manifold.
It just takes time to take everything apart and to clean up the cylinder head before reassembly. It took me two days but I went real slow. I could do it in one day next time.
you may also want to replace the PVC gasket. And of course it's a good time to clean the throttle body.
I used the fel pro gasket kit for about $35 can be found on amazon.com. It included the spark plug tube gaskets. They needed to be replaced the old ones were brittle.
The key is to clean the gasket surface very good with brake cleaner or acetone. Use Toyota FIPG on the half moons and at the corners where the gasket goes over the cam.
Note, the plastic wire holder under the manifold will be very brittle, it will break and that's ok. Make sure to keep plastic bits out of the motor and tape it with electrical tape after you unplug the fuel injectors. Also, use a torque wrench when reassembling the manifold.
It just takes time to take everything apart and to clean up the cylinder head before reassembly. It took me two days but I went real slow. I could do it in one day next time.
you may also want to replace the PVC gasket. And of course it's a good time to clean the throttle body.
Diverse4runner
New member
I would check and see if the bolts are loose. Mine were about three turns loose. I tightened them back up and no more leaking. My moms Tacoma was the same way.
chuck norris
New member
The VC bolts are spec'ed for 6nm (~5lb-ft).
In the meantime to stop your crazy oil loss, I'd snug down the VC bolts to 10nm and plan to replace your gaskets soon. I did the same thing to mine and it almost stopped the leak completely.
