2g Camry Question

["G"]

i have a 91 camry with the 3sfe engine.
i'm trying to track down a pesky oil leak, but can't seem to find where it's coming from.
it seems to be from the timing belt side.
do these engines have a gasket or seal that commonly go bad ?
i was thinking it was the valve cover gasket, but can't be sure.
i have degreased it & even tried that dye, with no luck.

please advise.

[TWHansen]

3sfe is prone to valve cover gasket leak.

If you replace gasket, be sure to hit the four half-round spots on each end of the engine with grey silicone otherwise it will leak even worse. Torque valve cover nuts to 17 ft/lbs on reinstall. Easy, ten-minute job, really.

["G"]

really, man i hope that's all it is, this car runs so good & has a lot of life left in it.
quick question, how do you get the valve cover off ?
i don't see any bolts.
also are their any other gaskets i should replace while i'm in there ?

[atobe]

well those 30mm nuts you see when u pull of the spark plug wires are what's holding it on. 4 30mm nuts are holding the valve cover on. get vavle cover gasket and spark plug tub gasket while you're at it

[TWHansen]

yeah, that's the other thing. be sure to get the gasket kit with both gasket and spark plug tube seals. checker had it for like $25 if I remember right.

[AustSV21]

have a look around the rocker cover, the gasket and seals often go bad and it is a really easy fix

["G"]

thanks guys, i'll try it & see what happens. with results shortly.

[90 Gen2]

start at the top and work downward.
valve cover gasket number 1
oil pressure sender (though that's the other side I know) another popular spot...
underneath the timing cover (oh boy), it could be multiple things, on ours it was the oil pump gasket. we were going through a quart every 2 days for about a week there until our excellent mechanic was able to work us in and replace the gasket and pump, timing belt (again ugh), etc....
now we're back to zero oil usage or leakage though....it CAN be done!!!