2TR FE valve cover gasket write up?

Hey all. I've got a 2010 2.7 with 110,000 on it. Replaced the serpentine belt and spark plugs for the first time this morning, I bought the truck new so im sure they were both the originals.. Truck is running a hell of a lot smoother, but there was a worrisome amount of oil on the #2 and #4 spark plugs. Based on the oil just being on the top of the plugs around the ceramic and upper part of the threads, im pretty sure I need to replace the valve cover gasket. Has anyone done this before or could someone point me towards a write up?

One other odd thing was that both of the original plugs that had the oil on them were also very loose. I wouldnt have even needed the wrench to remove them, they were barely hand tight. I'm thinking this may be due to the oil on the threads lubricating them, but thought it was odd since everyone always seems to be worried about breaking off the plugs when removing them after they've been in for this many miles.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

any guesses out there?

 

An oil leak would not loosen the plugs like you are describing, even with oil PLUS vibration issues they would not be that loose. Since you owned the truck since new, IMHO this could only happen if they were not correctly installed at the factory. I have never heard of this happening with factory plugs but that doesn't mean it's not possible. You sure nobody has never even checked the plugs, ever? Or the coil packs?

About the valve cover gasket, the procedure should be very straightforward. All you really need is the correct torque ratings for the various fasteners. And of course a new gasket.

 

80 inch pounds on the valve cover hardware. They are all 10mm bolts as well. Just remember start at the center and work your way out in a sprial fashion when setting final torque on your bolts.

 

Thanks guys, maybe the plugs were just a weird thing on my truck. I know no one has ever been under the hood. I do my own maintenance and the only time its been in a shop is for TSB work from toyota for leaf springs, blower motor, and clutch. Im probably going to pull the new plugs after 1,000 miles and see if they have any oil on them, if they do ill go ahead with the gasket work.

 

I changed the plugs on mine at like 90,000.when I went back at 170,000 or so,mine weren't super tight.i didn't use a torque wrench the first time.and I think 2 or 3 had a little oil film.need to change my gasket too.once you get to the point of the plugs it looked like its not much more to do the gasket.

 

anybody done this yet?they show a valve cover gasket,then another gasket around the 4 plugs inside the outer one.number is listed for the outter one but not for the inner one.

 

I replaced the original valve cover gasket and plug tube seal gasket at around 60k. Haven't touched them since.

Sorry don't have any part numbers.