Valve Cover leaking...

To replace the valve cover gasket:

1. Remove spark plug wires.

2. Remove the 4 nuts on top of the valve cover. You need a 30mm socket or a big adjustable wrench.

3. Remove valve cover. The gasket fits into a groove on the valve cover.

4. Reinstall.

Thanx!

Can you recommend any good repair manual for the Gen3?

Also, do you know the torque specs for the bolts?

Cheers!

jeff.

Go for the Haynes. Quite useful book...

I don't think there is a specific torque for these bolts, just bolt them tight and that's it.

Good luck !

Thanks y'all!

Just bought the gen3. Going on a road trip from Vancouver to Cali, and then Vancouver to NY, so gotta get all this stuff done first!

Thanks again!

Jeff.

Jaevery said:

Can you recommend any good repair manual for the Gen3?

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Haynes, Chiltons, or Toyota.

Also, do you know the torque specs for the bolts?

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17 ft. lbs.

it's real easy to do. you might want to get a rubber mallet cause sometimes the gasket sticks even after the bolts are removed. are you replacing the whole cover or just the gasket?

I am about to do this myself. When I do this do I have to empty all the oil first?

robehsi said:

I am about to do this myself. When I do this do I have to empty all the oil first?

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No.

I have some oil leaking from the valve cover, can I just tight the 4 nuts a little more or do I have to change the gasket.
Do I have to remove the spark plugs?

hclee25 said:

I have some oil leaking from the valve cover, can I just tight the 4 nuts a little more or do I have to change the gasket.
Do I have to remove the spark plugs?

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It'll be better that you just install a new gasket. Just read up on the prior posts, its that simple to remove and re-install. Just pull out the wires, not the plugs.

hclee25 said:

I have some oil leaking from the valve cover, can I just tight the 4 nuts a little more or do I have to change the gasket.
Do I have to remove the spark plugs?

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i am not sure if you are aware that the 4 nuts that hold the valve cover is not loose, can you tighten it a little bit more, maybe, but does it help, probably not, it is the rubber seal valve cover gasket worn through out the years and leaks,
proper way to fix is to replace with a new valve cover gasket

Jaevery said:

...And anybody have an idea on how much replacing the distributor would cost at a mechanic's? vs done by yourself?

Thanks in advance!
Jeff.

PS. Sorry, forgot to mention, my car's a 93 Camry, 4 Valve

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Distributor - under $200 at a shop, part is less than $100.

If you're like me, where your distributor coil blew - $460 for the coil (only available from Toyota), plus another $280 to have installed at the dealer.

FYI - Never go to Pep Boys for this kind of repair because your car will leave worse than when it went in.

hmmm....this is an informative post. My gen3 also leaks at the valve cover.

Anyone know the price of a valve cover gasket?

I bought it today $18.00
I'm gonna change it...
Thanks guys

i 2nd this, my valve cover is leakin too, that's what my mechanic told me...he said i should get it replaced and is like a 40-60 doller part? is that true? and how serious is this?

s6arface said:

i 2nd this, my valve cover is leakin too, that's what my mechanic told me...he said i should get it replaced and is like a 40-60 doller part? is that true? and how serious is this?

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i think for 4 cyl camry, there is only 1 valve cover gasket seal
but for v6, there is one for front 3 cyl and easy to change, but the one for back 3cyl is a bitch to do, last time i've seen the mechanic had to remove the intake manifold, a more work.
dealer direct price for the v6 gasket probably around $25, but with the markup from mechanic, probably up to $40.

valve cover gasket price from online toyota dealer