valve and intake gasket replacement,anything else?

[skynet1988]

Hey guys, this weekend I am going to replace the front and real valve cover gasket, from bosch to NGK Spark plugs (people have told me that the bosch plugs are crap) and a new air intake mainfold gasket. I was wondering while I have the air plenum off is there anyting else I should replace? I also am curious what I should do if I come across any oil sludge, is there a good way to clean this out with the valve covers open? lastly has anyone here done this before? any tricks? thanks!

[mmejia]

Well, I have a link that might help...been posting it for whoever asks.

http://www.wjowsa.com/?p=30

Also, make sure you work in a clean environment...don't dropping crap in there!

[pdiggity]

Awesome, thanks my man. I'm new to this forum and am just about to do the valve gasket replacement on my wife's '95 Avalon. Very helpful!

I'm also trying to figure out how to pull a check engine code - it seems this specific year of Avalon can't pull the codes by jumping te1/e1 terminals nor can you get them with a standard scan tool.

what to do?
should I just assume O2 sensor is the likely cause.
If anyone could share any ideas, I'd appreciate it.

Originally Posted by mmejia

Well, I have a link that might help...been posting it for whoever asks.

http://www.wjowsa.com/?p=30

Also, make sure you work in a clean environment...don't dropping crap in there!

[skynet1988]

just head over to autozone and they will pull them for free!

[skynet1988]

the job wasnt that bad.... just some pointers so you dont have any hickups!

- get some mechanics gloves, your hands get cut up really bad!
- the old spark plug/ circle shaped gaskets get REALLY hard in the valve cover, it feels like you are almost scraping on metal at first. you have to use a sharp flat blade screwdriver and pliers to pry them out and a rubber mallet to pound the new ones in!
- buy a new intake manifold gasket, EGR Gaskets (2) and if you haven't done so recently new plugs and wires for the rear. it is almost impossible to change the spark plugs with the air plenum on!
- be VERY CAREFUL with the EGR studs! I broke two just lightly tightening. pain in the rear replacing them!
- there is a hidden pink wire that is attached to a sensor on the left rear of the engine, I broke the wire pulling on the rear wire harness too hard while removing.

other than that, you should be good! good luck! just post back if you have any questions!

[pdiggity]

I wish it was that easy - Autozone only pulls codes for OBDII, they specified that they don't carry older scan tools anymore.

This specific year of Avalon also cannot have the codes pulled by jumping te1/E1 terminals either.

I was hoping someone that has dealt with this issue could give me some feedback.

Originally Posted by skynet1988

just head over to autozone and they will pull them for free!

[skynet1988]

just tell the guys over at autozone that it is a 1997 and point them to the OBDII port in the fuse access door. I think the port is there even though it is a 1995. good luck!

[Param]

Originally Posted by skynet1988

Hey guys, this weekend I am going to replace the front and real valve cover gasket, from bosch to NGK Spark plugs (people have told me that the bosch plugs are crap) and a new air intake mainfold gasket. I was wondering while I have the air plenum off is there anyting else I should replace? I also am curious what I should do if I come across any oil sludge, is there a good way to clean this out with the valve covers open? lastly has anyone here done this before? any tricks? thanks!

If I were to do all over again, instead of the NGK Iridium Plugs, I will get the original Denso Dual electrode Platinum plugs PK20TR11 It could be a coincident that my 99 Avalon never missed a start, but after plug change I ran into few weird non starting tries. This could be a coincident of failing starter! I don't know. However, I never had a single starting problem with the original Denso plugs with life of 150,000 miles until I changed them with NGK Iridium.

[golfinator]

While it was apart, I took extra time to clean parts and paint the valve covers.
http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/m...alonengine.jpg