Scratched/scored spark plug tube 99 camry

[swellstoynation]

I was following the advice on this post regarding removing and sealing the bottom of the spark plug tube due to oil in the tube.

However, I was not as successful with the pipe wrench as the original poster, so I have some score marks/scratches on the spark plug tube. Scratches are only on the outside of the tube itself, not on the threads.

My question is: Am I okay to reinstall the tube and run this way or do I need to replace the tube so that there are no score marks on anything inside this area?

Thanks,

~A learning-as-I-go DIYer whose projects always cost 2x projected $$$ and take 2x projected time.

[Mike Gerber]

As long as there are no burrs of metal or sharp edges that might fall off inside the cam cover, you should be OK. If there are, sand them off before reinstalling.

Mike

[swellstoynation]

Thanks for your help.

btw, anybody know the torque specs for those tubes? Or where I look for that info?

~An appreciative newbie.

[73sport]

If there right at the top of the tube where the valve cover seals, that would be bad and it would likely leak. Replace if damaged at the end.

Beyond that, use toyota recomended sealent (not cheap RTV), remove the burrs and put it back to together.

[Mike Gerber]

"If there right at the top of the tube where the valve cover seals, that would be bad and it would likely leak"

73sport makes a good point. I hadn't thought about the score marks being near the top where it seals.

Mike

[73sport]

Originally Posted by swellstoynation

Thanks for your help.

btw, anybody know the torque specs for those tubes? Or where I look for that info?

~An appreciative newbie.

You only mention 99, so take a look here.

http://www.camrystuff.com/index.php?page=Gen4_Manuals
Toyota Gen4 (1997-2001) Camry Repair Manuals

Many thanks to "DrXenon" on ToyotaNation for providing these manuals.

Note: * indicates file contains one half for 5S-FE, one half for 1MZ-FE

• Introduction to the Repair Manual (400KB, 43 pages)
• Preparation (740KB, 111 pages)
• Service Specifications (260KB, 72 pages)
• Air Conditioning (936KB, 93 pages)
• Automatic Transaxle (I4) (4.7MB, 170 pages)
• Automatic Transaxle (V6) (5MB, 174 pages)
• Body (1.6MB, 135 pages)
• Body Electrical (1.6MB, 128 pages)
• Brake (932KB, 72 pages)
• Charging* (520KB, 32 pages)
• Clutch (312KB, 22 pages)
• Coolant* (1.2MB, 72 pages)
• Diagnostics (5.2MB, 937 pages)
• Emission Control* (708KB, 35 pages)
• Engine Mechanical (I4) (2.9MB, 114 pages)
• Engine Mechanical (V6) (2.6MB, 112 pages)
• Ignition* (400KB, 24 pages)
• Lubrication* (652KB, 36 pages)
• Maintenance (72KB, 9 pages)
• Manual Transaxle* - S51 is for 5S-FE, E153 is for 1MZ-FE (1.5MB, 92 pages)
• SFI* (Sequential Fuel Injection) (2.4MB, 141 pages)
• Starting* (580KB, 40 pages)
• Steering (828KB, 50 pages)
• SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) (796KB, 75 pages)
• Suspension & Axle (812KB, 72 pages)

Electrical Wiring Diagrams (6.3MB, 365 pages)
Gen 4 Collision Repair Manual (12.6MB, 113 pages)
Miscellaneous files:

• 1999 Owner's Manual (1.8MB, 249 pages)
• 1999 Scheduled Maintenance Guide (720KB, 58 pages)
• Gen 4 Camry Technical Service Bulletins (9.9MB, 356 pages)
• Manuals specific for 2001 Camry, some may also apply to 1997-2000

• AC Control Assembly - for Manual A/C only (144KB, 8 pages)
• Front & Rear Door and Instrument Panel (620KB, 20 pages)
• Headlight & Taillight System (172KB, 8 pages)
• Front Passenger Airbag Assembly Removal (24KB, 1 page)
• Tilt Steering Column Removal (52KB, 2 pages)

New Car Features (changes compared to the previous model year)

• 1997 (2.4MB, 116 pages)
• 1998 (380KB, 56 pages)
• 1999 (552KB, 76 pages)
• 2000 (376KB, 44 pages)
• 2001 (68KB, 6 pages)

[73sport]

Something to add to this:

If you use a pipe wrench, I'd suggest putting something inside the tube to prevent from crushing it. Maybe a deep well socket or even a wooden dowel could give it enough strength to prevent crushing it if its stuck!

[swellstoynation]

The manual actually shows just using the top of the valve cover washer and a 30mm socket to install the spark plug tube. So a pipe wrench or vise grips aren't necessary for reassembly.

Many, many thanks for the resources and your patience with someone who is new to the forum! I had tried searching through for an answer to my particular question without success. Appreciate it.

[bronzemaxell]

my 93 camry with almost 300k miles had oil inside spark plug tubes a year ago, i am not sure what seal is suitable in that area, but instead of sealing, i used a medium size channel lock plier, and tighten each spark plug tube by 1/4 turn, and yesterday, i changed spark plugs and all were dry.

Originally Posted by swellstoynation

The manual actually shows just using the top of the valve cover washer and a 30mm socket to install the spark plug tube. So a pipe wrench or vise grips aren't necessary for reassembly.

Many, many thanks for the resources and your patience with someone who is new to the forum! I had tried searching through for an answer to my particular question without success. Appreciate it.

[fenixus]

i think you can actually use 2 tube nuts together on a tube's thread (nuts facing away from each other, kind of the bottom one upside down) then you can a wrench/socket on them. there was a thread with pics on this. hopefully you know what i mean as my wording is not super precise hehe.