Oil Leak and Burning Smell

[camry.toyota1998]

Hello all,

I am new to this forum, I have 1998 Toyota Camry LE V6 -3.0L and recently i noticed that oil leaks around the engine and its leaking to exhaust and causing burning smell, I took it a mechanic and he advised me to replace this parts.

Replace:
1. R&R Spark Plug Tube Seals
2. Valve Cover Gasket (Left & Right)

I am planning to replace it, is there anything else i can ask them to check and replace while they work on Valve Cover Gasket.

From the discussions in this forums, I saw that i can make them check Spark Plug (Tune Up), Please advise.

They are charging me around $320, is it fair amount, Please let me know.

I appreciate your response.

Thanks!

[ASG14]

$320 parts/labor seems fair to meBe a LOT more at a dealer. While at it, I'd have the spark plugs and PCV Valve/grommet changed. It shouldn't cost much more.

[camry.toyota1998]

Thanks for your reply!

Originally Posted by ASG14

$320 parts/labor seems fair to meBe a LOT more at a dealer. While at it, I'd have the spark plugs and PCV Valve/grommet changed. It shouldn't cost much more.

[ASG14]

Not a problem. After the valve covers are replaced, you MAY still have some burning for a week or so as the back of the engine will still be covered in oil. So do not be alarmed if that happened.

[1998CamryLE]

I had the same problem on my 98... the cover gasket fixed it.

[camry.toyota1998]

Do i need to replace intake plenum gasket as well, while replacing Valve Cover Gasket.

Originally Posted by ASG14

Not a problem. After the valve covers are replaced, you MAY still have some burning for a week or so as the back of the engine will still be covered in oil. So do not be alarmed if that happened.

[camry.toyota1998]

If you don't mind, May i know how much did you spend on replacing Valve Cover Gasket.

I had the same problem on my 98... the cover gasket fixed it.

[SoulTaker]

Originally Posted by ASG14

Not a problem. After the valve covers are replaced, you MAY still have some burning for a week or so as the back of the engine will still be covered in oil. So do not be alarmed if that happened.

After the valve cover gaskets on my 3VZ were replaced, I saw some engine oil aroung the engine oil cap and around the valve cover. And also the engine vibrates but it wasn't vibrationg before the valve cover gaskets were changed.

[caveman017]

I replaced the gasket in about 25 minutes on my camry. I think it cost around $20?

[93celicaconv]

Caveman017, looks like you have the 5S-FE engine, so to replace a valve cover gasket, you pull one valve cover off.

These guys are talking about a V6. At a minimum, they have 2 valve covers to deal with. And I'm pretty sure the valve cover on the firewall side requires the removal of the entire intake manifold assembly. Quite a bit more work involved on the V6.