Cracked cylinder head cover?

Today I was replacing some vacuum hoses to try and get rid of that pesky p0442 trouble code, and noticed a crack on the cylinder head cover right below the oil filler cap. At least that's what I think it is - I'm not a good mechanic by any means.

A few months ago my engine overheated due to a bad water pump and radiator (I had both replaced along with some other parts), so maybe that's what caused this crack. Not sure what to do about it now, either get someone to weld and fix the crack or replace the whole cover? How screwed am I?

 

If the truck is running okay, I'd say you're not really screwed. You have a valve cover gasket leak, so they'll need to be pulled eventually to replace that.

I'd look for local pick and pulls where you might find a replacement cover for cheap. But perhaps yours can be repaired with something like JB weld.

 

The truck still runs great and I haven't noticed any change in the oil level since the last change, so that's a relief. I guess I'll be on the lookout for a good cover at the scrapyard and think about a weld if I can't find one after too long. Thanks!

 

I replaced both mine with a set off Amazon for like $130. Replaced the seals with OEM and its been great. Personally I don't think going OEM for the casting is all that important for these, but I would still opt for OEM valve cover gasket, tube seals etc.
Its too bad you don't need the passenger side, I have my good old oem one sitting in a box waiting for someone to need it.

Pretty common crack, especially if you tried to tighten the valve cover bolts by hand to reduce seepage like me. Torque spec is very low on them..

$60 Niyako Left Engine Valve Cover with Gasket Replacement# 11202-62050 264-978 Fit 1995-2004 Tacoma 4Runner T100 Tundra 3.4L

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C2Y3645J?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

 

Boat shops do aluminum welding
Probably more that $70 though

 

Thanks for the link, I read somewhere else that OEM was a must for this part, but good to hear you've had success with the Amazon one. Guess this won't break the bank like I thought.

 

I will say I’ve only had them for 3 months so I can’t speak to long term performance yet, but they seem to be pretty good quality.
To me it’s really just a metal cover, I don’t see how anything could really be that much worse on aftermarket. As long as the bottom gasket surface is flat and smooth, and the plug bores are the right size it won’t fail. That to me is easy enough to trust with a cheap aftermarket company to do.

 

No that’s the drivers side cover, vacuum line for I think the brake booster. I don’t see the Pcv bore in the pictures but it’s there

 

MY bad.....I'm use to the 4 bangers....

I should have stayed on my side of the street......