torque setting Valve cover bolts for 2000 sienna - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Teachndad · 02-12-2012, 10:48 AM

Hi,

I will be removing and replacing the front valve cover gasket on my 2000 Sienna, soon. I have been having trouble finding the torque setting for the bolts on the valve cover gasket. I found a series of pictures from a 2003 Sienna. http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2751...11220610WduJec this link came from a thread posted here. In this picture, the poster indicates 7 lbs./ft torque for tighting the bolts.

Since the valve cover looks similar, can I assume that the torque setting is the same?

thanks

Rod

tennsienna · 02-15-2012, 10:27 PM

Rod,

The 1999 Sienna Repair Manual specifies a torque of 8 N·m (69 in·lb) for the bolts on each cylinder head cover. This is lower than the 7 ft-lb (84 in-lb) value specified in the link you quoted. Also, the 1999 Sienna has 8 bolts on each cover, whereas the photo in the link appears to have at least 9 bolt holes.

Bart

Teachndad · 02-15-2012, 11:57 PM

Thanks Bart! This is very helpful.

Thank you for taking the time to answer.

Rod

lfootmatt · 02-19-2012, 06:03 PM

Be very careful!!! I did both VCs last year. 69in-lbs sounds right but that is assuming new valve cover bolts. Research this carefully! many a snapped valve cover bolt has been had by over torquing the VC bolts.

They bottom out on the shaft above the threads, then the soft AL just rotates and snaps. Search this in the camry forums and you'll find more. If you reuse the bolts be sure to add 2 thin flat washers. I did that and used right stuff gasket material with the new VC gasket just in case. Worked perfectly. Not a drip from the rear VC in a year.

Good luck!

Matt

wiswind · 03-04-2012, 06:46 PM

I just looked it up.....and CORRECTED the text on my picture!.....sorry for the mistake.
69inch/pounds is the correct value.

Potter · 03-12-2012, 04:59 PM

Mine's leaking. Don't want to go through the effort of changing the rear cover.

Will tightening the bolts holding it on maybe help or make things worse?

tennsienna · 03-12-2012, 11:16 PM

Potter:

Perhaps the bolts on the cylinder head cover have loosened over the years and are not providing the necessary force to seal the gasket. Make sure the bolts are tightened to the specified torque of 8 N·m (69 in·lb), but no more than that. If you over-tighten them you run the risk of stripping the threads in the block and that will certainly make the situation worse. Don't guess at the torque - use a torque wrench.

Bart