Yet...another valve cover question

[stecow]

Hey guys I've got yet another leaking oil valve cover question but my search through the forums yielded no answers to my problem. I'm 99% certain this leak is coming from the valve covers, I've been wrong before which is where the other 1% comes in.

Here's the passengers side of the engine. Where I consistently find/feel a little fresh oil seeping out is on bottom left bolt of the valve cover. The exact same is happening on the driver side as well. Going up along the cover towards the front I can still feel/find fresh oil but not as much.

Now...this is where it gets extremely frustrating to me. I bought this a few months ago and didn't really notice that the leak was coming from this far up, at first I thought it was the oil filter not screwed on tight enough(although that was a problem). As I narrowed it down to the valve covers, I did check the tightness of the bolts after bombing through the forum soaking up everything I could about valve covers. The bolts were loose so I re-tightened them MAKING sure not to over torque them, that was 4 weeks ago. A couple days ago I was able to find a torque wrench and wrenched them down to 54 in lbs (at least the exposed ones). With my handy dandy extend-a-mirror I've been looking all up and down, underneath, behind, everywhere I can to see if there are any cracks or anything like that in the covers, but I'm turning up with no cracks at all.

So, what is going on? I have no idea. Possibilities:
I haven't done a super duper deep clean to get every last bit of gunk off where I think the oil is coming from, I can do that.

Also I noticed the bolts aren't going all the way through the valve train, I can see some exposed threads underneath. Are the bolts too short? Am I a fool for thinking as such?

Did the auto shop get some sub-par replacement set? It did cost them $71...if that helps at all. The shop is a local mechanic type place.


I know this is a lot to read, I just like to build a good base to try and help people understand my problem :noidea: :typing:

 

[jgue467]

You are over-thinking this. All VCs on runners fail, period. Replace them yourself, lots of DIY videos on utube or pay someone to. There's no ifs ands or buts, they are leaking, all OEMs do in time and non-oems even faster. Luck and enjoy. :cowboy:

 

[sleepydad]

I agree with willies friend

If done properly a fresh set of valve covers with 1/2 moons, cam seals done by the book should last 150k miles.

You had somebody do valve covers a couple of months ago and they are already leaking? Is that correct?

 

[mtbtim]

I agree with willies friend

If done properly a fresh set of valve covers with 1/2 moons, cam seals done by the book should last 150k miles.

You had somebody do valve covers a couple of months ago and they are already leaking? Is that correct?

I'm wondering the same thing as Andy. It's unclear if you got this job done recently or not.

How long ago was the valve cover gaskets replaced?
Do you know if they resealed the half moons?
Do you know if they replaced the cam seals?
Do you know if they replaced the spark plug tube seals?

If you are unsure of any of the above, it sounds like a do-over to me.

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[stecow]

Yeah...yeah I’m over reacting a little bit sorry. I just want to make sure my runner is in the best shape it can be in. Sorry for the confusion. I’ve only had this 4Runner for a few months, the previous owner had the valve cover gaskets replaced 2 years ago. I was given all the service records when I bought it including the writeup for valve cover gasket replacement. I’m assuming halfmoons, can seals etc were replaced.