Is this a single valve cover gasket leak?

2002 5vzfe prerunner 6cyl

In the first picture is the left side of my engine. I know there is a valve cover gasket leak there I had it diagnosed at the dealer. I just noticed some seepage on the right side of the engine bay in picture 2. Is this the same gasket leak? Or is it a new leak. I’ve heard of many guys just having to tighten down loose engine bolts to fix this problem, but I’m going to have someone do the whole engine completely.

 

Uhm, I don't understand the question?

You have a set of valve covers (2) since your truck is in a V configuration hence a set of heads (2).

Could very well be leaking from each valve cover.

Do the job yourself, it'll be about 3 hours of work if you take your time.

 

Ive watched the YouTube videos. I just don’t have the tools.

 

No worries

I have gotten by for many years on many different cars/trucks with a craftsman tool set I got from Sears.

The fact that many locations are closing up shop means you can buy an entire tool set for about a third it'll cost to have the job done by a mechanic.

From there it's just adding small specialty tools here and there for other jobs.

I always recommend DIY

 

You can also get a good Craftsman tool set from Lowe's, or even go to Harbor Freight and get Pittsburgh tools.
The basics are 1/4 and 3/8 drive sockets and ratchets, extensions, a spark plug socket, a set of screwdrivers, pliers, a set of allen keys and some pliers.

 

See here:
https://www.lowes.com/pl/Tool-sets-Hand-tools-Tools/4294607612

 

yep, save some money, stealership quoted me like $500-600 dollars, I told them, nope, I'll get around to it.

 

Kinda just looks like whoever has been putting oil in lets it dribble down the fill neck.

 

For the majority of jobs on my Taco, I use 10,12 and 14 mm sockets or wrenches the most. It's nice to have a set, but you could easily get by with those 3 sizes.

 

like an old chevy, 1/2 5/8 and 9/16 could just about take one apart

 

Do it yourself and take your time,

This would be a good time to paint the covers too.

A dremel with a wire tip wheel will make short work on cleaning the old gasket material off.

Did mine 4 months ago

 

They are leaking on both sides. If you are not sure how or what to use, find a good shop and have them explain what they will do and what parts they are going to use. While it is apart, all new gaskets, cam plugs, and a tune up too. Know what it needs at least from the yt vids and service manual so you dont get ripped

 

I just put did the valve cover gaskets on my trucknthis past weekend. Its not overly common you take your time and go slow. Take good pics of the vacuum hoses and where they go. I replaced the spark plugs and wires while I was there.

I do recommend inspecting each hose you disconnect, i replace a bunch of them because they just split or broke as I was taking them off or sliding them over the barbs reinstalling them. The 3 hoses on the bottom of your thottle body were really hard to take off, just be patient.


I used a 10, 12, and 14mm sockets, 3 and 6" extention, a pair of needle nose pilers, and a couple flat screw drivers.

 

I agree with Speedytech as far as the driver's side valve cover oil in your second photo. If it was me, I'd go ahead and replace both valve cover gaskets and at the same time check the valve lash clearance and re-shim as needed.

 

Recently had both valve cover gaskets replaced on my 2001 vzfe at the dealer and it was closer to $1000 after adding new wires, plugs, gaskets, etc. Painful, but like Cutter i just didnt have the time and expertise to do this myself. The other plus is that the dealer can check and adjust the valves if necessary (probably not, mine were fine at 350K miles). Downside is if valves need adjusting the $ meter will keep running.

 

X2, it will definitely be closer to 1000 if Dealer does it

 

When mine were leaking I went to tighten them and a couple were real loose. So I’d suggest to tighten them a little until you can get the parts to do the whole job.

 

this^
slopped over

 

i have a toyota master tech indie shop here can do ALL it for about $500 (ish) including the back plug moons, which dealer apparently does not do or it was not needed idk too many miles ago

that is a very good deal! if its a very complete & thorough job done

 

stealer quoted me $950 after a discount to fix my valve cover gasket. Local indie shop quoted me $500. Mobile mechanic family has been using for years quoted me $250.

I’m going to clean the engine bay and tighten the bolts until I get them replaced


Toyota of Orange (second largest dealer in Orange County) SUCKS!!!! I have had nothing but problems there with Aaron Para, salesman, and their repair crew. I moved and am taking it to the Carlsbad dealer now. They are much better.