Oil On Spark Plugs

Hey everyone,

I just changed out the spark plugs on my 2012 Tacoma, thanks to this forum. I pulled one plug (driver's side) that had a bit of oil on it. From what I understand, this is either a plug seal or valve cover gasket issue, but I can't find enough info about fooling around with those parts so that I'm comfortable enough trying to diy.

Anyway, I guess my main question is, is this an urgent fix, or can I put it off for a month or two? Mainly for budget reasons. I'm guessing it won't be cheap to take it to a shop.

Thanks everyone

 

Your valve cover gasket is leaking around the spark plug holes. You can put it off for a bit is needed. It shouldn't cause any major issue.

 

Thanks! From what I've read, it's not a difficult replacement, right? It's just the matter of getting to it?

 

Yes it is very simple.
Just be careful when tightening the bolts.

See Post #3 in this thread about silicone or Toyota FIPG.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...over-gasket-replacement.649648/#post-22571043

 

Had the same issue…. Not to bad of a DIY for the gasket. Make sure you use rtv where indicated as well

 

if it's a 4.0. I think the intake needs to come off to replace the drivers side.
Which means you need a new intake gasket as well.....

 

Was this only on one spark plug? I changed mine recently and one of them, the driver's side rearmost one, had oil on the threads. Not as bad as yours though.

 

Does the intake have to be removed?

 

The upper intake. Yes.

 

Yeah, it was only on one, so I'm glad it's not more extensive

 

Ok, so the valve cover gasket on the Tacoma also functions as the plug seal? As in, the plug seals are not separate like this?

 

Looks like mine is the passenger front.
All others looked great.
Would you do just the passenger side?

 

No, I did both - they're the same part, the same age, and the same condition, and in a motor known for these leaks being inevitable with time. The passenger is easier, and doesn't need the intake manifold off, but it's not THAT much additional labor and cost to do the driver at the same time if you're already ordering parts and taking the truck offline for maintenance.

 

What exactly causes they issue sense the actual valve cover isn’t leaking like a normal cover.
Is the area around the plug not to spec,or does it harden and not seal,what exactly is the new cover fixing?
Or is it just age or mileage?
12 years 56000mi
Thanks

 

It's not the cover itself (the metal part), it's the seals. They get brittle and shrink with age, like just about every soft/rubber part, and allow oil to seep or leak.

The classic 1GR-FE seep starts at the corner of the passenger valve cover and timing cover, and as the seals age that area gets worse and the seeps/leaks start around the plugs. Some people never get the corner leak, some people (like me) have it for years as a very small/not worth fixing issue.

 

Definitely blows in a truck I just got in mint condition!
I’ll look for the parts today and need an excuse to buy a new torque wrench.
Thanksfor the info and I’m positive I’ll have a few more questions.
Here is what I’m ordering,anything else except some black silicone.The covers come with little seals for the top of valve cover?
Quinton

 

Do the spark plug tubes thread into the head on the 1GR or are they pressed?
I had a 2.2L Camry (pretty sure it was a Camry) a couple of years ago that I had to remove the tubes and reseal the threads on the bottom because changing the V/C seals didn’t fix the issue.

 

7.4 ft lbs and 80 inch lbs?
Why not just state everything in inch lbs?
Any decent priced torque wrench recommendations?

 

Try Harbor Freight. If anything at HF is something I would use it’s from the Icon line.

 

There are no spark plug tubes. Machined surface on the head mates with valve cover gasket seal.