Valve Cover Gasket Advice

Ok so my valve covers have been slowly leaking and I have decided to go ahead and change them while I'm off of school for Thanksgiving break. Is there any advice any of you guys have that could make the job a bit easier?

Parts I have ordered: (all OEM)

-Valve cover gaskets
-Spark plug tube seals
-Spark plugs
-Spark plug wires
-Both upper and lower manifold gaskets

Is there anything I missed? I saw something about cam plugs but saw it after I already ordered. Is this a big deal? Thanks!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IThNiZcs4bI#t=11


Video breaks it down pretty good. It's just one of those 'not hard, but a pain in the arse' jobs. If you have compressed air, blow out the engine real good prior to starting to get rid of loose dirt. Use making tape to mark when you remove hoses. Pay attention to spark plug wire lengths and routing (take a pic prior to removing).

 

X2 biggest headache for me was remembering where the hoses went haha, but your list looks good, I also ordered a new pcv valve to be safe

 

Cam plugs can leak on a high-mileage engine. They have a rubber edge that dries out and hardens. I learned that the hard way and had to do the job twice. I reused the original plugs and they leaked at the back of the heads after the first time.

Also be sure to remove, clean and re-goop the little half-moon aluminum pieces that allow access to the cams. They can leak too on high-mileage engines.

The cam plugs are simple to replace while you have the valve covers off and Napa carries them for the 5VZ-FE.

 

Removing the spark plug tube seals was a huge PITA on mine. Only ended up doing 1 since they weren't "that" bad on my covers.

Others are right, it's not too bad of a job, just takes a couple hours. Be very careful torquing down the cover bolts, IIRC they're only like 14ft lbs? (Don't quote me, go look it up/Someone else can chime in.)

 

Thanks for the help everyone! Im about to go ahead and get some cam plugs. How many do I need? 2 right?

 

Might as well change PCV valve while it's right there.

 

Yes, 2. One for each head. If you get them from Napa, one set will contain 2 plugs. The Napa ones are made by Felpro.

 

Ok thanks!

 

Damn 350,000 miles on his 3.4L. The valve train looked amazing too.

 

I thought the same thing! I'm curious to see how mine looks...

 

Good list and solid advice above. Especially about the cam plugs. Mine were leaking around 240,000.

Good luck.