Common 1st gen issues

I have a 03 v6 4x4 with 195k miles. Needed some maintenance. It is filthy in engine bay. Especially under the engine. I just did the valve cover gaskets. Is it common for the front main and rear main seals to go out? If so how hard are they to replace? I spent hours pressure washing the gunk thats been built up over the years.

 

!st thing is to let it dry out then look for the leak. Valve cover gaskets can make a utter mess if leakin. Also check the oil cooler for leaks and the oil filter housing.

 

Will do. Definitely doesnt smoke anymore but i can still smell oil. So theres another leak somewhere

 

Issues just in the engine bay? Or common issues period?

 

I have a 1997 taco.a 2.7 and had the same peoblem, turns out it was the valve cover gasket leaking from the passenger rear making it look like a rear main seal, my guess would be start there. Good luck

 

the half moon seals on the rear of the head(s) need to be either cleaned resealed and re installed or new ones installed.

The front crank seal isnt that difficult to do if you have the tools. The bigest issue is the crank pulley bolt. You can make a pulley holder, many have and used it sucessfully, but the issue is getting the bolt tight enough again. A short 1/2 breaker bar and a long pipe can work but if you get it wrong and it loosens up you will eat up the front of the crankshaft. Other than that it's just nuts and bolts.

 

I figured this was a good spot to put this since others might come to this thread for answers.

Doing the valve cover gaskets today... I messed up of course and don't know what to do. I bent a piece inside the pax side and don't know of it's important or not and I also broke the damn elbow coming out the top.

How do I replace the elbow?

How do you get this out?


I bent that rectangle piece trying to get the effing sparkplug tube gaskets out. I've bent it back mostly straight...is that an issue? I knew I should've just paid somebody to do this crap!

 

That elbow is just your PCV valve. If you're doing the valve covers etc (which it appears you are) you should replace the PCV valve and grommet anyway.

The old PCV valve is a bit of a bitch to get out because it's brittle and the grommet is probably hardened. I broke my PCV valve like you did, trying to get it out.

 

Okay how on the world does this thing come out?

 

Man! F$@k!!! It's beer time.

 

Lol... Calm down brotha. I just did my valve cover gasket a few weeks ago. It's nerve racking, but if you take your time it's not terrible.

 

From the top, I used needle nose pliers. Since yours is brittle it will probably just break away in pieces. Good thing the valve cover is off while you're doing this.

 

Okay so I just pull on it? No twisting or anything?

 

Yeah just pull on it. Twisting may help.

 

Got it!!!! If you guys are ever in West TN I will buy you a beer.

 

that piece you bent not a big deal as long as the air can flow its good, Just give the entire inside and outside of the valve cover a good cleaning (Don't be like a neighbor did and use gas to clean) we can still see the black burn spot in his driveway....

the broken plastic elbow is just part of the PVC valve and you want to replace that anyways they come out hard after years of heat hardens the grommet I just take a pair of pliers and turn it back and forth while pulling up gently at the same time it will come out just don't pry it out and damage the aluminum valve cover because then you will really want something stronger than a Beer.

 

Here's my write up on the VC gasket replace.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/valve-cover-replacement.587686/

Has the part numbers for basically everything you need (including PCV valve, and grommet)

 

I went and watched your Video yeah it actually good details in it only thing I do different is I put wire markers on all the vacuum hoses before disconnecting em lesson I learned the hard way on a 89 -4runner.

 

That's not my vid. That vid is @Timmah!

He's pretty much a 1st gen Tacoma / 3rd gen 4runner guru.

 

That is an excellent write up. I did watch the video before starting this endeavor.

This forum is so awesome! Thanks for your help guys!