[numberforty1]

I have this burning smell coming from the vents when I use the heat. It goes away when the car runs for a few miles, but comes back immediately when I stop.

I have heard that it is typical of the V6 to have a leaking rear valve gasket, which is a pain in the arse to fix apparently...can anyone confirm that this is common for the model, or suggest anything else that might be probable? Isn't there another valve gasket that is easier to access?

And lastly, what is a good price to have the gasket replaced? I heard the part itself is only $15.

Thanks so much for any help.

J

 

[V6LE_CAMRY]

yes your rear valve cover gasket is more than likely leaking. to check it put your hand around the back of the rear valve cover and slide your hand from side to side, if you feel and see oil in you hand than i recomend you replace it soon. Infact thats exactly what im doing right now with my 1-MZ. Yes it is a pain and if you are going to do it be ready to spend a day or two working on it. I havent put it back toghether yet and it's been apart since saturday night because i found that one of the head gaskets is worn. Don't worry about yours mine is a '96. The valve cover gaskets cost me about $25 and it comes with both the gaskets and the 6 spark plug tube seals, if you get the felpro gaskets, don't know about the others. Good luck. and becarefull with the tube seals because if you put them on backwards you will have to flip them over and it's not fun at all.

 

[numberforty1]

How do I reach it?

Thanks for the reply, I feel like I must be asking either a really stupid or a really difficult question cause not many people seem interested...

Anyway, I am kind of ignorant about it, so how do I get to the rear valve cover? I opened the hood but everything is so much in the way I feel like I would have to take the engine apart to reach the valves. Is there a way to look at/feel it without dissecting a whole lot?

Thanks
J

 

[nodrogkam]

get your car up on a lift and use a flashlight. there's no easy way to look around a v6 from up top without taking apart things. Too cramped.

 

[V6LE_CAMRY]

you can put your hand behind the valve cover gasket by standing on the passangers side while your hood is open. right next to where that computer port is, just look a bit down from there and using a flash light (if you have one) look around there and use your hand to feel the rear valve cover, the part between the cover and the head. I wish i had a pic to show you. Ill try to find one around.