General Maintenance -- 5sfe Valve cover Removal and Semi-Circular Plug Replacement

[Mister_Perkins]

Pretty Simple and Straight Forward DIY Here

Tools Needed

1. 30mm Socket with Ratchet (Extension makes it easier on re-installation)
2. RTV Oil-Resistant Silicone
3. Flat Head Screw Driver
4. Pliers (Needle nose, Vise Grips, Channel locks, etc..)

First Locate Your Valve cover!

Next, Remove your spark plug wires (high tension wires)
---- Mine are already removed




After spark plug wires are removed, grab your Socket and Ratchet and break loose all 4 spark plug wire nuts.

Spin them out by hand and set off to the side.




Next, grab your pliers and remove the hose thats connected from your intake manifold to PCV Valve.









Set off to side as well



Next, locate the hose that connects to the side of your Valve cover and remove as well (Already removed in pictures)




--- side note : Removing the oil cap will help on removal as well



Place your screw driver between the Drivers side motor mount (missing in picture) and the side hose on valve cover you just replaced. Pry up and break the seal between the gasket and the head. Once the valve cover breaks loose, grab it on both sides and lift it off of the head.






Next, use your screw driver and place the screw driver on the underside of the Semi-Circular Plug and pry it up and out.









Grab your new semi-circular plug, or if your re-using your old one make sure its clean! .... Apply Oil-Resistant RTV Silicone to the bottom of the insert and spread it evenly with your finger. I like to use a flat head screw driver and where the grooves sit, pull the excess RTV out of the grooves.

---- Let the RTV DRY! This will make a better Gasket!!!

Once Dry, Re-install the insert back into the head and push it flush against the head.










Remove all 4 spark plug tube gaskets and clean (or replace if necessary)



Flip the Valve cover over and wipe off (Or replace if necessary) Making sure its really clean




Wipe off any excess oil from the head where the valve cover sits onto the head. (The cleaner the better)




Place the valve cover over the tubes and re-install the 4 spark plug tubes you've just cleaned (or new ones) Press them flat so it aligns the valve cover.



Re-install the 4 spark plug nuts. Tighten them in a criss-cross pattern (Little at a time). Its VERY important to tighten these in a criss cross pattern a little at a time for a proper fitment



Re-install PCV Valve hose, the hose that connects on the side of the valve cover, and the oil cap and start the car. Check around the motor for leaks while its running. Make sure to look around the back side of the cover as well checking for leaks.

[fenixus]

good pics

BTW, you have a little sludge in the engine head.

[Mister_Perkins]

Originally Posted by fenixus

good pics

BTW, you have a little sludge in the engine head.

Yeah that's from that "Mystery Motor". The camshafts are all rusty too and have .0098" Runout. lol. That whole head needs re-done

[twodoorcamry]

Just did mine. Took me less than two hours, most of which was probably cleaning.

One thing was wierd: the old spark plug tube nuts were very loose, almost finger loose. and the VC could easily be lifted right of (although i did pry at the place you suggested, expecting more resistance, but it just popped very easily)

After reinstalling the VC, the Hayenes manual specifies 17 ft lb as torque for the SP tube nuts, which struck me as very loose. I couldn't resist torqueing a little extra after doing the 17 ft lb (probably stupid). Is it recomended to retorque the nuts after a certaing mileage?

Also, an extra note for other people doing this job in the engine bay. It is necessary to remove a part of the T-belt cover before in order to be able to lift the VC of. It's the part that "connects" (cable bundle) with the alternator. Partly loosen the screws and it lifts of.

Thanks

Dave