Valve cover will pop? PICTURES

[muminiasty]

In few weeks I will be changing valve cover in my 97 camry. The front cover has those cracks on the sides above the seal. Will this cover make a hole at some point? Should I look for new cover beffore I change the gasket?

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y11...1105091641.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y11...105091641a.jpg


Also out of the subject, I lost one of the windshield wipers nuts what size nut do I have to get to get that screwed in?

[JohnGD]

They look like poor casting. I'm surprised Toyota let them out like that.

Those look like they'd been there for a while. How deep are they?

Originally Posted by muminiasty

In few weeks I will be changing valve cover in my 97 camry. The front cover has those cracks on the sides above the seal. Will this cover make a hole at some point? Should I look for new cover beffore I change the gasket?

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y11...1105091641.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y11...105091641a.jpg


Also out of the subject, I lost one of the windshield wipers nuts what size nut do I have to get to get that screwed in?

[muminiasty]

They are like 1 millimeters deep. 2 millimeters the most. Do you think I should find another cover and just replace it?

[bcp477]

There are three possible reasons for VC cracks..... a bad casting.....overtightening of the valve cover nuts (especially if the nuts were tightened unevenly)..... or a bad casting, which eventually cracked from heat cycling. It is not normal that they should crack like that. It appears to be a bad casting. I would look for a replacement, myself. You could probably find a cheap replacement at a junkyard. Or, you could remove the cover, clean up the area near the cracks and apply a good epoxy product, like JB Weld. If done correctly (careful degreasing before application of the epoxy).... this can hold up just fine. In the past, I have repaired valve covers just this way.....with no problems.

[ekopel]

i have some VCs that are just chillin i can sell you REAL cheap if you want.

Highly recommend changing out all bolts on VCs and be careful. I have had many break on me.

[Hajoca]

JB Weld - You can clean the spot with alcohol, but afterwards, you must clean alcohol residue off, otherwise JB or any other Epoxy with metal filling will have less than ideal adhesion.

[Kenny_McCormic]

if it doesn't leak its fine.

[muminiasty]

I will be changing the valve gasket very soon I might as well look for the replacement cover. Thanks guys

[JohnGD]

It looks more like a casting defect from the factory. Just my view. So I don't think it's grown since the factory. I think you're fine.

Originally Posted by muminiasty

They are like 1 millimeters deep. 2 millimeters the most. Do you think I should find another cover and just replace it?

[muminiasty]

I will never be able to tell cause when my wife got the car it was never really checked like that. Nobody did anything to the engine. I'm guessing it came from the factory defected. I just don't want to be on a highway one day and loosing the engine because of that. Car runs solid so it would be shame.

[JohnGD]

That's fine. Because peace of mind is worth a lot too!

[fenixus]

Originally Posted by muminiasty

I will never be able to tell cause when my wife got the car it was never really checked like that. Nobody did anything to the engine. I'm guessing it came from the factory defected. I just don't want to be on a highway one day and loosing the engine because of that. Car runs solid so it would be shame.

although they look not tragic and are probably yet safe, I would look into replacing them anyways since you plan replacing gaskets.

not sure how expensive they are, but as you noted above, better safe than sorry ... one beautiful day when you/wifey decide(s) to press harder on gas pedal ...

Originally Posted by JohnGD

That's fine. Because peace of mind is worth a lot too!

+1

[asphalt victory]

i wouldn't worrie about it too much i have seen a 460 king cobra running without valve covers i mean its just that a cover

on the other hand im the kind of guy who would doctor them up with some marine tex and spray paint them

good luck

[muminiasty]

is that marine tex really solid stuff? I might look into that

[asphalt victory]

i have seen it used successfully on steam boilers and a chipped exhaust valve
the only thing with marine tex is you have to mix the 2 parts correctly or it wont cure right
also with any resin 2 part solution you have to take into consideration the temp if its 60 or below out its going to take longer to cure

good luck send some pics on the finished product