Another Leak 4 cyl

[zanenc]

I have read most of the oil leak threads and still have a couple of questions. I have a 2000 Camry 4cyl. It has 268K miles and still runs very well. I have had the valve cover gasket replaced 3 or 4 times by the same mechanic who has always done a great job for me and at tremendously great prices on other repairs. I just can't get the valve cover to stop leaking. I sprayed the engine down with degreaser on Saturday and washed it down. The leak is coming from the valve cover on the back side at the timing belt cover. This is a definite because I could almost immediately see oil being to leak again after running the engine for about 30 mins on the highway. I can also see some oil on at the end of the engine right at the timing cover. The cover is not leaking anywhere else. Any advice about really fixing this would be appreciated. I need to know specifically what sealant to use and where to put it. Also should I replace the half moon cam inserts?(not sure that is what they are called) I plan to do this myself this time. Guess I will be buying a 30mm socket and torque wrench. Thanks.

[Mister_Perkins]

Originally Posted by zanenc

I have read most of the oil leak threads and still have a couple of questions. I have a 2000 Camry 4cyl. It has 268K miles and still runs very well. I have had the valve cover gasket replaced 3 or 4 times by the same mechanic who has always done a great job for me and at tremendously great prices on other repairs. I just can't get the valve cover to stop leaking. I sprayed the engine down with degreaser on Saturday and washed it down. The leak is coming from the valve cover on the back side at the timing belt cover. This is a definite because I could almost immediately see oil being to leak again after running the engine for about 30 mins on the highway. I can also see some oil on at the end of the engine right at the timing cover. The cover is not leaking anywhere else. Any advice about really fixing this would be appreciated. I need to know specifically what sealant to use and where to put it. Also should I replace the half moon cam inserts?(not sure that is what they are called) I plan to do this myself this time. Guess I will be buying a 30mm socket and torque wrench. Thanks.

1. Try to tighten Valve Cover
1.1. You really dont need a torque wrench to tighten your valve cover. To Be exact you do, but I've never had problems just snugging them up. Tighten them like you do a spark plug. Get snug and then turn about 45 degrees.

2. Check for Flatness : if doesnt stop leaking go to next #
2.1 If not flat, replace with a known good valve cover that is flat. Replace
Gasket

3. Check Cam Seal for leakage

[JohnGD]

This type of valve cover sealing design is the worst. Perkins is right, check for proper tightening of the cover first.

[djb2]

When did you last change the valve cover gasket?

If it hasn't been for a few years, you really have to replace the gasket rather than trying to stop the leak with further tightening.

[TOYOPARTSMAN]

Okay,
We have a ongoing oil leak, so I am going to chime in with my usual "over kill but make sure you won't have the problem again". My reasoning one, ongoing problem, two, it is leaking from the timing cover, three, if you are going to do any of it, do it all. This, of course, is after retightening the v/c doesn't do the trick. I believe in correcting a problem once and since most of this is all related and nearby, might as well. I know some will disagree with me, but I happen to know for a fact that all 5SFE will leak in these areas one time or more in their lifetimes. I have had to do it mine a couple of times, and this is exactly what I did both times.

Side note, I have never known anyone to ever have to replace the half moons/semi circular plugs yets. They are metal and unless you somehow damaged them or lost them, you can reuse them and maybe just put a little FIPG on them.

Replace the following with OEM:

1) Valve cover gasket (11213-74020) $13.19 MSRP
2) Valve cover grommets X4 (90480-30025) $4.37 EACH MSRP
3) PCV grommet (90480-18180) $2.97 MSRP
4) Cam Seal (90080-31022) $10.00 MSRP
5) Crank Seal (90080-31023) $8.63
6) Oil pump O ring (15188-03011) $6.23 MSRP
7) Oil pump seal (15165-74020) $8.12 MSRP
8) Cam Plug (90339-36001) $2.84 MSRP
9) Upper Timing cover gasket (11329-74080) $6.66 MSRP
10) Center Timing cover Gasket (11319-74030) $5.46 MSRP
11) Lower Timing Cover Gasket (11328-74060) $6.66 MSRP

I do sell to TN members for 30% off MSRP and I only charge actual shipping costs plus $1.00- $2.00 for materials, etc. If you should happen to have any questions, or need any further information, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Hope this helps you.

Originally Posted by zanenc

I have read most of the oil leak threads and still have a couple of questions. I have a 2000 Camry 4cyl. It has 268K miles and still runs very well. I have had the valve cover gasket replaced 3 or 4 times by the same mechanic who has always done a great job for me and at tremendously great prices on other repairs. I just can't get the valve cover to stop leaking. I sprayed the engine down with degreaser on Saturday and washed it down. The leak is coming from the valve cover on the back side at the timing belt cover. This is a definite because I could almost immediately see oil being to leak again after running the engine for about 30 mins on the highway. I can also see some oil on at the end of the engine right at the timing cover. The cover is not leaking anywhere else. Any advice about really fixing this would be appreciated. I need to know specifically what sealant to use and where to put it. Also should I replace the half moon cam inserts?(not sure that is what they are called) I plan to do this myself this time. Guess I will be buying a 30mm socket and torque wrench. Thanks.

[zythr]

Originally Posted by TOYOPARTSMAN

Okay,
We have a ongoing oil leak, so I am going to chime in with my usual "over kill but make sure you won't have the problem again". My reasoning one, ongoing problem, two, it is leaking from the timing cover, three, if you are going to do any of it, do it all. This, of course, is after retightening the v/c doesn't do the trick. I believe in correcting a problem once and since most of this is all related and nearby, might as well. I know some will disagree with me, but I happen to know for a fact that all 5SFE will leak in these areas one time or more in their lifetimes. I have had to do it mine a couple of times, and this is exactly what I did both times.

Side note, I have never known anyone to ever have to replace the half moons/semi circular plugs yets. They are metal and unless you somehow damaged them or lost them, you can reuse them and maybe just put a little FIPG on them.

Replace the following with OEM:

1) Valve cover gasket (11213-74020) $13.19 MSRP
2) Valve cover grommets X4 (90480-30025) $4.37 EACH MSRP
3) PCV grommet (90480-18180) $2.97 MSRP
4) Cam Seal (90080-31022) $10.00 MSRP
5) Crank Seal (90080-31023) $8.63
6) Oil pump O ring (15188-03011) $6.23 MSRP
7) Oil pump seal (15165-74020) $8.12 MSRP
8) Cam Plug (90339-36001) $2.84 MSRP
9) Upper Timing cover gasket (11329-74080) $6.66 MSRP
10) Center Timing cover Gasket (11319-74030) $5.46 MSRP
11) Lower Timing Cover Gasket (11328-74060) $6.66 MSRP

I do sell to TN members for 30% off MSRP and I only charge actual shipping costs plus $1.00- $2.00 for materials, etc. If you should happen to have any questions, or need any further information, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Hope this helps you.

That's a lot of money

[reluctantmechanic]

they sell a dye kit at pep boys - 19.99...put it in, let it set overnight and use a special flashlight with glass to help find the leaks...might be worth looking into

[zanenc]

The timing belt and waterpump were changed about 10,000 miles ago along with the valve cover gasket. At that time the oil pump seal and cam seals were good and were dry. I have washed the engine down and can see that the leak is coming from the valve cover,specifically at the back corner on the timing cover end of the engine. It may be leaking in other areas but no oil is coming from under the timing cover looking from the ground up to the bottom of the engine.

My questions now are the following:

What sealant is the best to use? The current is grey
Where specifically should this sealant be used? All the way around the rubber gasket or only in specific places?
What brand of gasket should I use? I have seen posts giving several different opinions.

Any other things I should know befor starting this. I plan to do this work this Saturday.

On a side note, I have used normal Caterol 5W30 since I bought the car. The car has 268K miles. Should I up the weight or change to a different oil? I use a PureOne filter.

Thanks
Zane

[TOYOPARTSMAN]

If that is the only place you see a leak, and you feel confident, I would pick up an OEM valve cover gasket and some OEM FIPG (00295-00103). The techs in the forum can confirm this, but I don't believe you'll have to put any FIPG on a new VC gasket, but if you do, that is the stuff I'd use. Once seated and dry, it never leaks.

Good luck.

Originally Posted by zanenc

The timing belt and waterpump were changed about 10,000 miles ago along with the valve cover gasket. At that time the oil pump seal and cam seals were good and were dry. I have washed the engine down and can see that the leak is coming from the valve cover,specifically at the back corner on the timing cover end of the engine. It may be leaking in other areas but no oil is coming from under the timing cover looking from the ground up to the bottom of the engine.

My questions now are the following:

What sealant is the best to use? The current is grey
Where specifically should this sealant be used? All the way around the rubber gasket or only in specific places?
What brand of gasket should I use? I have seen posts giving several different opinions.

Any other things I should know befor starting this. I plan to do this work this Saturday.

On a side note, I have used normal Caterol 5W30 since I bought the car. The car has 268K miles. Should I up the weight or change to a different oil? I use a PureOne filter.

Thanks
Zane

[djb2]

The shop manual shows that the gasket gets a little dab of sealant in the corners where it changes direction/plane over the cam shaft end supports. The rest of the gasket is installed without sealant -- it needs to be able to shift slightly to fully seal.