2001 Tacoma valve cover gasket require RTV?

Does a 2001 Tacoma replacement Fel Pro valve cover gasket require RTV? Torque spec and bolt tightening sequence?

 

On the 2.7L motor, you only use RTV on the front where the 2 half-circle plugs are. Not sure about the 3.4L

 

I was reading about that on the 2.7 and some on the 3.0 but haven't found anything on the 3.4.

 

yes, yes, and yes. rtv on semicircular rubber plugs and wherever theres a curve. torque at 53 in-lbs which converts to about 5 ftlbs from center out in 3 steps. get your haynes on.

 

where are the semicircles located and do they need to be replaced? Is RTV on the head side only?

 

There are 4 plugs total. 2 on each bank located in the front and back of cyl head. Apply A bead of RTV to the side that fits into the head and a dab on each corner of plug on cyl head side. No need to apply RTV inbetween valvecover and gasket. Make sure to CLEAN sealing surface of ALL OIL before applying RTV.

 

Before i tear into my engine again how much of a pain is it to do my cover seals? An evening? A saturday? A weekend and 2 12 packs? i am pretty capable but need to be dad and grease monkey too.

 

I helped a guy do his. Took all day but we were figuring out as we were going and had to take a trip to the dealer for the spark plug seals.

 

Do you HAVE to get the spark plug seals? I just bought the gaskets, but denied the seals from the salesman.

 

He was doing his electively. From what I saw, there was no need but that depends on the condition of the current ones. I mean, if you have it apart, might as well.

 

If you do do them (heh, do do) make sure you note which side is up or pull and replace them one at a time. We didn't take note, pulled them all at once and then had to guess. We guessed wrong and had to track down a second set.

 

Well due to my previous luck of doing any maintenance work on my truck myself the past couple of times, I'll leave it be if they look good. Otherwise, I'll get someone else to do it lol