Valve Cover...

Mano1124

Mano1124

New member
I'm back again looking for some more help from you guys and girls. I have a 99 T4R 3.4 2WD. My passenger side valve cover has a crack and is leaking oil. I've called to every junkyard in my city and can't find it :ybrick:. I was wondering if anybody knows a website where i can order a used one or a reasonable price on a new one. I called my local Toyota Stealership and they were charging me $160 for passenger valve cover. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

P.S. How can i upload a picture of my T4R for my profile picture?
 
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Have you tried tightening the bolts around the valve cover gasket? I noticed mine was leaking a little bit and falling on the manifold and I was getting a burned oil smell, I went around and noticed all the bolts were loose, so I tightened them up and now no burning oil smell. But my leak wasn't bad enough that I can visibly see oil on the ground.
 
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yeah i tried tightening them up but still leaks. I took it to a friend of mine that is a mechanic and he told me that the back corner of the valve cover has a crack. I guess the previous owner had the gaskets replaced and accidently forgot about the last bolt and yanked it. My friend put JB weld for the mean time. It's not a bad leak where it leaves a stain on the floor but just knowing that it's leaking bothers me. LOL
 
I'd make sure it actually a valve cover crack, I've never seen or heard of a actual valve cover crack, not sure what would even make that happen. I had a pretty bad leak, ended up just changing the valve cover gaskets and it's as dry as a bone now. Took about 3 hours to do both sides, you have to take the intake mani off to do the drivers side. GL
 
Atreyus said:
Have you tried tightening the bolts around the valve cover gasket? I noticed mine was leaking a little bit and falling on the manifold and I was getting a burned oil smell, I went around and noticed all the bolts were loose, so I didn't them up and now no burning oil smell. But my leak wasn't bad enough that I can visibly see oil on the ground.
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Yeah ive been having the same bunt oil smell and today found out that my valve covers also are leaking a little so i may try this and hope it works if not i guess i will just replace the gaskets.

Spish said:
I'd make sure it actually a valve cover crack, I've never seen or heard of a actual valve cover crack, not sure what would even make that happen. I had a pretty bad leak, ended up just changing the valve cover gaskets and it's as dry as a bone now. Took about 3 hours to do both sides, you have to take the intake mani off to do the drivers side. GL
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Was this alot of trouble to do? As stated above im having a slight leaking around the gaskets and if i do have to replace the gaskets is it alot of work and would you mind telling me how much the gaskets would run cost wise? Thanks for the help.
 
SleekRunner said:
Yeah ive been having the same bunt oil smell and today found out that my valve covers also are leaking a little so i may try this and hope it works if not i guess i will just replace the gaskets.



Was this alot of trouble to do? As stated above im having a slight leaking around the gaskets and if i do have to replace the gaskets is it alot of work and would you mind telling me how much the gaskets would run cost wise? Thanks for the help.
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If you tighten them be sure not to tighten too tight, just enough so that it doesn't move and you should be good.
 
Thanks a lot guys. I'll have to get a small mirror and flashlight to check it out myself. i'll post tomorrow and let you guys know.
 
I got the 2 gaskets from toyota, can't remember the price, wasn't that much though. Was pretty easy to do, imo
 
I just changed mine due to a leak as well. I paid about $35 for the valve cover gaskets at Toyota. The most important thing I would say to check are the cam plugs on the back of the engine, they are round silver dollar sized caps that will allow oil to leak if not correct. Evidently they shrink over time enought to allow oil through (rubber, not metal) causing oil leakage. The dealerships in Raleigh, NC did not have any and I ended up finding them at carquest, cost me $70 for them.
 
Anyone know the actual torque spec for the valve cover bolts? I've got some leaking going on and do notice some a little tighter than others. Not finger loose but it doesn't take much with a little 10mm open end to turn some. I know... I really need to get myself a service manual.
 
yeah i tried tightening them up but still leaks.
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Only tighten the bolts to factory torque specs.

FYI, a few years ago when I was at ~ 120,000 miles on my 3.4L 4Runner I had a valve cover GASKET that was leaking oil. I had oil in my exhaust as well from this. You should check to see if oil is getting in your exhaust.

You probably need the valve cover gasket replaced. IMO over-tightening the bolts will only cause A LOT more damage when something cracks.

see:
Hell I cracked my valve cover by tightening the bolts. Didn't think I was that strong.
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I called my local Toyota Stealership and they were charging me $160 for passenger valve cover.
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I bet that is the price for the valve cover itself. Did you ask the stealership how much to replace the valve cover gasket? I bet they will say $400 - $600. If you can do the work yourself then it would be cheaper - duh. I'm not one to talk though, I have no garage or driveway at moment. I wonder if the Toyota gasket kit is $75-$100 as well.
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Silverghost, I tried already and it still leaks. Im gonna go ahead and order the valve cover at the stealership.
 
Alright guys, I finally found a used valve cover at another city 30 minutes away. :thumb3: I payed $35. I also went to the dealership and picked up some new valve cover gaskets for both covers and washers. I want to replace the valve cover and gasket on the passenger side tomorrow. my question is, do i need to add some sealant when putting back the valve cover with the gasket or do i just install it dry? Also, i'm going to use a battery powered drill and i need to know what is the torque settings i need to used for the valve cover. Thanks.
 
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i'm going to use a battery powered drill and i need to know what is the torque settings i need to used for the valve cover. Thanks.
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I'm confused. Do you mean what setting on the actual drill to set it to like 1-8?

I suggest you stop by Autozone and pick up a how-to manual for your 4Runner.

:surfer:
 
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Doesn't hurt to try. It can be scraped off. I have used jb for other low budget fixes and it is often does a good temporary fix. My motorcycle has had some for almost 10 years. Some of us need cheap solutions and I was just suggesting a try, however I agree if you have money, replace it.
 
Mano1124 said:
Alright guys, I finally found a used valve cover at another city 30 minutes away. :thumb3: I payed $35. I also went to the dealership and picked up some new valve cover gaskets for both covers and washers. I want to replace the valve cover and gasket on the passenger side tomorrow. my question is, do i need to add some sealant when putting back the valve cover with the gasket or do i just install it dry? Also, i'm going to use a battery powered drill and i need to know what is the torque settings i need to used for the valve cover. Thanks.
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I just did this job for both the passenger and driver side only a week ago. You should pick up some black RTV from your local automotive store. Napa normally has this for 5 bucks or so. You squirt a little in the corners where the cam seals are. Here is a link to what it looks like:

http://www.permatex.com/products/au...ermatex_Black_Silicone_Adhesive_Sealant_b.htm

I also had to use an Inch/Pound torque wrench as well as a foot/pound torque wrench to tighten everything down properly. The settings on your drill are not going to be sensitive enough to get the job done right unfortunately.
 
Thanks for the info. I've never used a an inch/pound torch wrench and a foot/pound torque wrench. can you give me some helpful tips?
 
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