Valve cover gasket, and an oil leak - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

wahed3001 · 11-14-2007, 07:13 PM

I'm changing my valve cover gasket in a few days. I got the OEM gasket from the dealer and they told me not to use any sealant on it. Do I need to apply any sealant on the gasket before replacing the valve cover? If I do, what kind/brand of sealant and how should I apply it?

The whole back of the engine from just under the valve cover to just above the oil pan is wet from some mysterious engine oil leak. I'm guessing it's the valve cover hence the replacement. Is there any other seal or gasket that might be leaking back there? It most likely is a very small leak since I haven't noticed any oil stains on the driveway.

MIC0417 · 11-14-2007, 07:22 PM

Just clean the two surfaces that the gasket touches with something like Seafoam and dry the area. Just put the gasket on and you're crystal.

Venom_5 · 11-14-2007, 07:33 PM

no sealant

wahed3001 · 11-14-2007, 07:48 PM

Thanks; no sealant it is! What's your opinion on the oil leak?

Black95Cam · 11-14-2007, 08:14 PM

it might just be leaking from the valve cover.. get it cleaned off and drive it for a few days and check too see if there are anymore oil leaks.

wahed3001 · 11-14-2007, 08:48 PM

The nuts around the spark plug holes are 30mm, correct? What's the torque specification for those? Also, what's the torque specification for the engine oil drain plug (on the oil pan)?

Thanks for your help.

Venom_5 · 11-14-2007, 08:54 PM

30mm and the torque spec is 17 ft-lbs - which is difficult cuz most ppl dont have tq wrenches that go that low

idk about the drain plug

xtremeskier97 · 11-14-2007, 09:15 PM

Get an in-lb torque wrench. Will come in VERY handy when dealing with nuts/bolts like these. I have both (well...actually have 3 torque wrenches) but if you get a in-lb wrench..set it to 204 and you will be golden.

ekopel · 11-14-2007, 10:33 PM

yeah, just replaced mine, with a non-oem valve gasket....literally did it 2 weeks ago, and it works like a charm...I used RTV sealant, as this was recommended by haynes...

xtremeskier97 · 11-15-2007, 12:30 AM

There's really nothing wrong with using sealant. I use it. Just takes a little more to get it off the next time.

wahed3001 · 11-15-2007, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xtremeskier97

There's really nothing wrong with using sealant. I use it. Just takes a little more to get it off the next time.

Did you apply the rtv all around the gasket or only on a few places?

Venom_5 · 11-15-2007, 02:17 AM

if you use sealant, you usually apply on the corners

with an OEM gasket, you shouldnt really use sealant - not only is it not needed, but its more of a hassle .... the OEM gaskets seal fine as-is

uibalnme · 11-15-2007, 03:36 AM

You could also replace the distributor o-ring. It shrinks, hardens, and cracks over time which can allow oil to leak. I had to replace mine not to long ago due to a "mystery" leak. It wasn't the valve cover gasket. I traced it to the dist. o-ring. Once I replaced it, no more leak. Just a suggestion.

xtremeskier97 · 11-15-2007, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wahed3001

Did you apply the rtv all around the gasket or only on a few places?

Just the 'corners'.

Quote:

Originally Posted by uibalnme

You could also replace the distributor o-ring. It shrinks, hardens, and cracks over time which can allow oil to leak. I had to replace mine not to long ago due to a "mystery" leak. It wasn't the valve cover gasket. I traced it to the dist. o-ring. Once I replaced it, no more leak. Just a suggestion.

Yeah...you may as well why you are there. The o-ring is really cheap and easy to change.

wahed3001 · 11-15-2007, 12:27 PM

Do you need to take the valve cover off to change the distributor o-ring?