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What to do about leaking valve cover gasket?

Discussion in 'Technical Chat' started by Yoshio, Feb 25, 2013.

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  1. Feb 25, 2013 at 4:34 PM
    #1
    Yoshio

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    Yoshio [OP] Well-Known Member

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    My service tech told me today that my valve cover gasket is leaking and I should replace it and the Pcv valve... A couple questions; can I do this myself? Is this a bad leak? When I searched the forums, someone said it could be covered under the power train warranty, is that true?

    2007 4 cylinder 4x4 with 72,000 miles

    uploadfromtaptalk1361838866512.jpg
    uploadfromtaptalk1361838866512.jpg
     
    Last edited: Feb 25, 2013
    Yoshio, Feb 25, 2013
    #1
  2. Feb 25, 2013 at 4:40 PM
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    Spoonman

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    Looks easy to me. Leak doesn't look horrible but it is getting around so I would fix it. Pull off your intake piping, and coils. Remove valve cover, clean surface, install new gasket with anaerobic gasket maker, install and torque bolts. Bam done.
     
    Spoonman, Feb 25, 2013
    #2
  3. Feb 25, 2013 at 4:41 PM
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    ImpulseRed008

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    ImpulseRed008 Gone But Not Forgotten

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    I just did my 99 Camry yesterday. Search youtube for a video :thumbsup: helps.
     
    ImpulseRed008, Feb 25, 2013
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  4. Feb 25, 2013 at 4:42 PM
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    Yoshio

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    Yoshio [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Sounds easy... and the pcv valve?
     
    Yoshio, Feb 25, 2013
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  5. Feb 25, 2013 at 4:48 PM
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    ImpulseRed008

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    ImpulseRed008 Gone But Not Forgotten

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    I didn't replace mine
     
    ImpulseRed008, Feb 25, 2013
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  6. Feb 25, 2013 at 6:25 PM
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    Spoonman

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    Shake it around, do you hear a ball inside moving around? Can you only bow through it one way? If so, keep it! Or replace it do peace of mind since you have it off. And they're cheap.
     
    Spoonman, Feb 25, 2013
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  7. Feb 25, 2013 at 6:26 PM
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    chris4x4

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    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    I'd tighten the valve bolts first, and see if that doesnt make the leak stop. re torque them to spec, in the propper sequence, clean the oil off, then see what it looks like in a week.
     
    chris4x4, Feb 25, 2013
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  8. Feb 26, 2013 at 10:57 AM
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    BamaToy1997

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    Check for correct tightness, then clean and reinspect. That leak seems pretty minimal.
     
    BamaToy1997, Feb 26, 2013
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  9. Feb 26, 2013 at 1:08 PM
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    fixnfly

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    fixnfly Well-Known Member

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    You could just clean it with some type of degreaser (carb cleaner)
     
    fixnfly, Feb 26, 2013
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  10. Feb 26, 2013 at 4:37 PM
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    Yoshio

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    Yoshio [OP] Well-Known Member

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    What is the torque on the cover bolts? My Haynes manual says 80 in-lbs... That seems really low...
     
    Yoshio, Feb 26, 2013
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  11. Feb 26, 2013 at 4:41 PM
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    Boerseun

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    Boerseun Well-Known Member

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    Mine started showing some oil around the edges a while ago. I just checked the bolts and they were all loose. I have no idea what the torque spec is, so I just tightened them by "feel", cleaned it real good and now, at least a year later have not seen a drop of oil.
     
    Boerseun, Feb 26, 2013
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  12. Feb 26, 2013 at 5:03 PM
    #12
    Yoshio

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    Yoshio [OP] Well-Known Member

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    None of mine are loose to the touch... :-(
     
    Yoshio, Feb 26, 2013
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  13. Feb 27, 2013 at 4:04 AM
    #13
    Yoshio

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    Yoshio [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Guess I need an in-lbs torque wrench... To harbor freight!
     
    Yoshio, Feb 27, 2013
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  14. Feb 27, 2013 at 4:10 PM
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    Yoshio

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    Yoshio [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Checked my bolts, and they are all good, but I came across a little bulge coming out from between the valve cover and engine block, should I be concerned?

    New seal and new Pcv should be in to the dealer soon.

    uploadfromtaptalk1362010214493.jpg
     
    Yoshio, Feb 27, 2013
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  15. Feb 27, 2013 at 9:56 PM
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    BUZZCUT

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    that is rtv to cover the front cover to the cylinder head seam, Keeps the joint from leaking oil in that area on the valve cover.
     
    BUZZCUT, Feb 27, 2013
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  16. Feb 28, 2013 at 6:48 AM
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    Yoshio

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    Yoshio [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Is that using anerobic gasket maker in addition to the new factory seal?

    Is this something I need to re-accomplish, or is it possible the silicone is still good?

    Thanks guys, seal & new valve came into dealer today, should be doing this tonight...
     
    Yoshio, Feb 28, 2013
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  17. Mar 2, 2013 at 4:37 PM
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    Yoshio

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    Yoshio [OP] Well-Known Member

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    So after getting the cover off, I'm sure it was the seal. Both the cover gasket and spark plug gasket were super brittle and "shorter" than their replacements. The new gaskets actually make contact with both surfaces before the surfaces touch. Buttoning up the cover now, we'll see if it still leaks.
     
    Yoshio, Mar 2, 2013
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  18. Mar 2, 2013 at 5:20 PM
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    BUZZCUT

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    BUZZCUT Well-Known Member

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    put a dab of rtv back on those seam areas before plopping the gasket in place. Also use a torque wrench to tighten the bolts
     
    BUZZCUT, Mar 2, 2013
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  19. Mar 2, 2013 at 6:51 PM
    #19
    Yoshio

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    Yoshio [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Done and done! This time the cover rests higher than before, I might guess that the "loose" bolts are really a product of the gasket shrinking...
     
    Yoshio, Mar 2, 2013
    #19
  20. Oct 26, 2014 at 12:42 PM
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    TurboBoss

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    TurboBoss Active Member

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    Guys,

    Can you let me know the torque specs for the valve covers screws and the proper sequence. Is there is a sequence schematic about this.

    I am planing on changing my valve cover gasket and I am glint to take pics for a sticky DYI
     
    TurboBoss, Oct 26, 2014
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