Valve covers don't fit snug after gasket replacement

[Lug1]

Hi everyone,

The covers are sitting with 2mm of gap from the cylinder heads.
I made sure there are no obstructions, the gaskets are are set into their grooves on the covers.

The same thing happens to both side covers (left and right), their top areas just don't sit well.

Tightening the bolts (which should not be very tight at 6 NM torque) does not solve this problem.

Any ideas ?

Thank you.

 

[RunnerLimited]

Had the same issue, still hasnt settled in but there are no leaks anywhere, car runs fun doesnt burn oil, used all OEM parts as well.

 

[calisurf]

Also happened to me

Sits fine, no issues, might just be re-engineered that way so to fix the issue with the leaks the original gaskets created.

 

[Jhelms]

That is perfectly normal. They are not designed to sit flush to the head.

 

[IsaiahC]

Jhelms is correct. There is meant to be a gap. As long as you torque them properly and they don't leak

 

[Lug1]

Thank you everyone.

I went ahead and torqued them in (6 NM), unfortunately I have oil dripping from the bottom left side (if sitting at driver seat).

I torqued the bolts in gradually, used new washers (specific part for this bolt), applied gasket maker to the points specified in the manual.

Something must have went wrong.

At this point, I applied gasket maker externally where the leak is occurring and I'm waiting for it to cure.
Not much of a solution I know. But I don't have the time to re do this job right now. It was go at it. I sure hope it's not going to leak.

 

[LeeMajors]

Normal.

There's no groove on the head, so it just snugs down on that flat surface.

Did you put FIPG or RTV at the corners of the semicircle where the camshafts go through the head?

Common place for a leak. Or the caps on the rear of the head. Or the semicircular plugs.

 

[Lug1]

Normal.

There's no groove on the head, so it just snugs down on that flat surface.

Did you put FIPG or RTV at the corners of the semicircle where the camshafts go through the head?

Common place for a leak. Or the caps on the rear of the head. Or the semicircular plugs.

Yes, I applied gasket maker to 4 points on each cover.

 

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

Yes, I applied gasket maker to 4 points on each cover.

Did you replace the rear camshaft plugs? when you remove the cap there's 2 spots on each cap you use FIPG also.

All the places FiPG goes:

1. On the half moons
2. The 2 seams on top of the half moons where the VC gasket will seat
3. In the corners of the camshaft "arches" 8 places in all
4. In the seams between the rear cap and head where the cam plugs go.

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

In doing my valve cover gaskets recently, something came to mind. I haven't heard anyone suggest this but it was on my mind when I did the job... Toyota FIPG sets up fast. The half-moons can rotate to positions that are anywhere from perfectly level with the top of the head or they can be rotated/off-set. If they rotate, even slightly, there will be a gap between them and the valve cover gasket. My point is, when doing each valve cover, coat the half-moons with FIPG, seat them, and then don't take a lot of time to install the valve cover. If you let it sit for 15 minutes or so, the FIPG on the half-moons can set up, possibly canted, and they might not sit flush with the valve cover. If you install the valve cover while the FIPG on the half-moons is still soft, they will automatically seat with the valve cover.