Leaking VC Gaskets and Wheeling

Hey everyone!

So, my VC gaskets have gotten to the point where there’s actually oil burning on the exhaust manifold/pipes at the rear corners of the valve covers. When I first bought it they were just weeping a little, but now if I don’t drive for a day, the next time I drive it I get a little bit (very small amount) of smoke and burning oil smell.

I know it’s not great to let it go like that, but if I drive it daily it doesn’t leak badly enough to burn anything. It’s just when it’s left to sit and accumulate on the manifold.

I’d like to put off ordering the parts for this till next month (since I am aware of all of the “while you’re in there” parts associated with the job), but my off roading club is going to fish creek on the 17th, and I really wanted to go.

Given that is still pretty warm in California, would that be an ill advised trip to take with the VC gaskets weeping that badly? After an hour drive or so there’s nothing left to burn anyway, but I obviously don’t want to risk a fire. And I have neither the time nor funds to take care of the gaskets before that trip.

And yes, I already tried tightening the bolts to no avail. The engine has about 116k on it so they’re overdue anyway.
I thought about just using some Lucas stop leak in the time being, but I’m generally against additives of any kind as I’ve had bad experiences in the past.

Just looking for any advice or input, anything is helpful.

 

If you've already tried tightening up the valve cover bolts, there's not much else you can do other than the valve cover gasket job. I just did this this past year, and it really isn't that tough of a job. I went with Genuine Toyota parts on everything. Timmy the Toolman has a great video on doing this job. Just be sure and have a torque wrench that reads in inch lbs. Just watch the video and mark where everything goes, and it's a pretty easy job. i would say about 3 hours and your done. Don't forget to re-seal the half moons. Since I've done mine, I have no more burning oil smell. Good Luck.

 

I done mine with kits from rock auto. Worked perfect. Not bagging on OEM gaskets but Toyota doesn’t make gaskets. Someone else does.

 

No. Have fun.

 

Doktor….
What ever you do
Don’t tighten VC bolts anymore!!!!
Plz for the love of god!!!!!!!!

very easy to over torque, and snap bolt

Fixable, but 8 times the work of a easy VC gasket replacement
GL

 

Don’t worry, I haven’t. And when I did, it was nothing more than the slightest bump to make sure they weren’t loose.

Thanks everyone for the advice- I’ve done valve covers before and I’m not worried so much about doing the job- it’s more that I don’t have the money for the OEM parts just now. I was just asking for opinions about how long/under what conditions it’s safe to drive with them leaking.

 

IMO
As long as you monitor, keep an eye on the gasket for a few years
AM is fine

fuel/air related parts/sensors….Y OE only

hell, I’m sure Toy doesn’t manufacture 26yr old gaskets anymore
Just sublet out to vendors and slap T sticker/price on it

proof?vvvv

 

Original water pump:

 

RA water pump I installed:

 

I've been driving on weepy valve cover gaskets for years, it hasn't caused me issue yet.