Which Valve Cover Gaskets to you prefer?

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BamaDrewski

New member
I am going to replace my valve cover gaskets. After three years and multiple tightenings, the OE gaskets are leaking once again.

Anyone have recommendations (based on real-life experience) of the valve cover gaskets they prefer? Any suggestions would be appreciated!
 
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I replaced mine with Felpro and they seem to be holding up. It's only been about 5 months though.

edit: I just remembered that I replaced the passenger side gaskets with Felpro a year and a half ago and those were holding up too (replaced due to leaking oem spark plug gasket)
 
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IsaiahC said:
I replaced mine with Felpro and they seem to be holding up. It's only been about 5 months though.

edit: I just remembered that I replaced the passenger side gaskets with Felpro a year and a half ago and those were holding up too (replaced due to leaking oem spark plug gasket)
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I buy a good many parts from Amazon and have had good luck 95% of the time. (Bought all the Denso parts to entirely rebuild my AC system from Amazon).

I have found a brand I am unfamiliar with by the name of "Magnum". Thinking of trying these. https://www.amazon.com/Magnum-VS250...words=2000+toyota+4runner+valve+cover+gaskets

Anyone ever used "Magnum" valve cover gaskets? If so - good or bad experience?
 
I use only OEM and have never had issues...probably changed 'em on 20 or 30 3.4s over the years.

Did you apply FIPG around the cam caps/cam plugs?
 
lbhsbz said:
I use only OEM and have never had issues...probably changed 'em on 20 or 30 3.4s over the years.

Did you apply FIPG around the cam caps/cam plugs?
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I always clean up the half moons and apply FIPG on them and on the sharp corners where the gaskets have them.
 
Has someone said felpro sucks and only use OEM parts even if you have to mortgage your house for them yet?!? Cuz my response is look at every muscle car guy who use felpro gaskets for everything on their engine.
 
MN4runnerman said:
Has someone said felpro sucks and only use OEM parts even if you have to mortgage your house for them yet?!? Cuz my response is look at every muscle car guy who use felpro gaskets for everything on their engine.
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Really. In the import drag world they are known as "FAILPRO's".

Must be the muscle car guys that go down to Autozone to get "performance parts".
 
JayRolla said:
Really. In the import drag world they are known as "FAILPRO's".

Must be the muscle car guys that go down to Autozone to get "performance parts".
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"Failpros" - that's actually pretty funny but I have to agree. I have not had much luck with their gasketing products in the past.....
 
MN4runnerman said:
Has someone said felpro sucks and only use OEM parts even if you have to mortgage your house for them yet?!? Cuz my response is look at every muscle car guy who use felpro gaskets for everything on their engine.
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Exactly. I'm a big believer in OEM replacement parts, but some of the known issues with 4runners or any vehicle, makes you at least consider other replacement parts. If the OEM part was of decent quality, so many people wouldn't be having valve cover issues to begin with.
 
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I have the blue fel-pro gaskets and have been pleased with them after five years of use still no leaks. I'm very much a Toyota OEM parts only guy. However, I had the dealer install valve cover gaskets (that may have the been the issue) and they leaked two years later so I did them my self with fel-pro. I think the reason my valve covers don't leak has more to do with proper install. I cleaned everything very well, used Toyota black FIPG, replaced cam seals and the PVC grommet. Also used the fel-pro spark plug tube seals. And a new rubber O-ring on the oil cap. Oh, and new rubber washers on the valve cover bolts. All parts were OEM except the valve cover gaskets and tube seals that were fel-pro. One note on the spark plug tube seals, be sure to notice how they are orientated before you remove them all. It's difficult to see how they go back in in terms up right-side up or up-side down. You need to verify how the old ones come out so you can put the new ones back in the same way. It's a satisfying job to do yourself.
 
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I replaced my thermostat (OEM) and used a Felpro gasket last February. About 6 months after that I redid the jiggle valve at 6pm (was at 12pm previously) and the gasket was holding strong. It's been 6 months since the jiggle valve change and it's still OK. Might be a different story when it comes to valve cover or other types of gaskets, just my experience with Felpro and thermostat gasket.
 
I've also used the blue felpro valve cover gaskets and spark plug tube seals with success. And I will agree that it really is down to a proper install to make anything work. Obviously the quality of these are good enough that if installed correctly they will work just fine. Take your time and clean everything very well before installing, and don't forget to use FIPG where necessary.

My opinion with this in mind is that fel-pro is a great alternative to OEM for a much more affordable price, and being a college student on a college budget that matters especially when it comes to saving money for other bigger ticket things that I think should be OEM no matter what like timing belt, water pump and so on.
 
JayRolla said:
Really. In the import drag world they are known as "FAILPRO's".

Must be the muscle car guys that go down to Autozone to get "performance parts".
Click to expand...

Whether you are a professional or amateur drag racer, whatever vehicle you use, you are putting more strain on an engine than a normal driver so you will be rebuilding an engine more frequently than a normal driver. Most opt for cheaper parts in that case. For the casual weekend muscle car or in your case import car OEM parts are getting to be too expensive especially when these vehicles are getting to be 20 years old. What are you gonna do when Toyota decides to not manufacture parts for your 4Runner? The big 3 stop it at 25 years and we're getting close to that time.

Edit: to the OP sorry for taking your thread off the rails. My initial post was meant to be more sarcastic than serious. If I were you I'd go felpro but as you can see you can make the argument for OEM and you can make it for felpro. Good luck!
 
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MN4runnerman said:
Whether you are a professional or amateur drag racer, whatever vehicle you use, you are putting more strain on an engine than a normal driver so you will be rebuilding an engine more frequently than a normal driver. Most opt for cheaper parts in that case. For the casual weekend muscle car or in your case import car OEM parts are getting to be too expensive especially when these vehicles are getting to be 20 years old. What are you gonna do when Toyota decides to not manufacture parts for your 4Runner? The big 3 stop it at 25 years and we're getting close to that time.

Edit: to the OP sorry for taking your thread off the rails. My initial post was meant to be more sarcastic than serious. If I were you I'd go felpro but as you can see you can make the argument for OEM and you can make it for felpro. Good luck!
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This is all very true. I will upgrade to a 4th or 5th gen at that point. Ive had felpro fail all day on my ford bronco when I was young and dumb.

Even the aftermarket high end Felpro headgaskets would fail at high boost but a stock Evo mulit layer steel mitsubishi head gasket can last years at 30+psi of boost.
 
I like to use OEM gaskets when possible but have used Fel Pro for 20+ years without one problem, and there are times where the Fel Pro design was better than OEM.

I have to ask [MENTION=25434]BamaDrewski[/MENTION] where are your gaskets leaking? Are you using an in/lb torque wrench to tighten? Are the covers warped?
 
Ishino complete kit on Amazon. OEM manufacturer. Toyota FIPG. Done. No leaks.


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I just ordered a set from aircabinman on ebay. Anyone have experience with this brand? DNJ? is it oem?

ebay item number 180634213863
 
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