Valve Cover; Spark Plugs Gaskets help..

[kphongx]

... I'm having a problem under the valve cover..Its those 3 round things that sits under the valve cover gaskets.. which i think suppose to stop oil from getting into the spark plugs. How do i take those out..? Mine, is like baked on or something & its a PITA to get it out..Its the spark plug tube seals on the V.C. and i was unable to get it out; it's cracked and pieces are coming off but the "cylindrical part" .. Please help. Is there n e special tools to get it out or something?

[BMR]

I'm guessing your Camry has a V6. The spark plug tube seals are press fit into the cover from the inside. This thread shows how I got them out; scroll down a bit to get to that part. I'm not sure if there's a special removal tool. I just used a screwdriver and hammer to get them out.

[JohnGD]

Yeah, a 1/4" blade screwdriver works or a seal puller like the following if you happen to have one (no need to buy one if not):
http://www.harborfreight.com/seal-puller-35556.html

Then use a similarly sized socket near the outer diameter to hammer the new ones back in. You may need to bend the little tab that holds seals a little more if needed (it gets bent a little when you remove the old seal). Just hammer it flat afterwards and make sure to pad the cover on a soft surface.

Change out the PCV valve and grommet too.

[bravozulu]

There's good reason for dealerships charging $600+ for the same job.

I hired a shade-tree mechanic to do it in my driveway. He was trained at a dealership and only charged me $200. I was leaking about a quart of oil every 800 miles. Mine is a 1Mz V-6. And don't forget those crescent-shaped seals. Messy, messy job.

My engine now needs to be steam cleaned because of the leak.

[kphongx]

Originally Posted by BMR

I'm guessing your Camry has a V6. The spark plug tube seals are press fit into the cover from the inside. This thread shows how I got them out; scroll down a bit to get to that part. I'm not sure if there's a special removal tool. I just used a screwdriver and hammer to get them out.

Thank U.. This helps sooo much.. ... God bless.

[kphongx]

Originally Posted by JohnGD

Yeah, a 1/4" blade screwdriver works or a seal puller like the following if you happen to have one (no need to buy one if not):
http://www.harborfreight.com/seal-puller-35556.html

Then use a similarly sized socket near the outer diameter to hammer the new ones back in. You may need to bend the little tab that holds seals a little more if needed (it gets bent a little when you remove the old seal). Just hammer it flat afterwards and make sure to pad the cover on a soft surface.

Change out the PCV valve and grommet too.

Lolz.. funny how u mention to change out the grommet & the pcv valve... Mine was soo brittle it broke when i was trying to pull it off the hose.. & then, i when i tried taking it off.. the pcv shattered in pieces.. urrg.! i was frustrated.. as for the grommet.. it fell right into the hole and so it took me 45 min trying to pry that thing out.. Finally got it out.. but in 7 different pieces. ..

[kphongx]

Originally Posted by bravozulu

There's good reason for dealerships charging $600+ for the same job.

I hired a shade-tree mechanic to do it in my driveway. He was trained at a dealership and only charged me $200. I was leaking about a quart of oil every 800 miles. Mine is a 1Mz V-6. And don't forget those crescent-shaped seals. Messy, messy job.

My engine now needs to be steam cleaned because of the leak.

Yeah, same here..maybe not as bad as yours but.. the back where the valve cover was.. was filled with baked oil and junk. Its just time consuming.. now i'm worried about getting it done b4 school starts again for the spring.