Driver Side Valve Cover.

October 2020, I replaced all the spark plugs. During the process, I noticed a bit of oil in the spark plug wells. Not much oil, but enough to notice. I know the valve cover gaskets were installed in 2006, have 115,xxx miles of heat cycles, lord knows what oil exposure......

Anyhow, I've decided to replace the valve cover gaskets on the 4.0L V-6 before snowballs begin. I've been pouring though the OEM Repair Manual trying to dredge up the procedure to remove the valve covers. The procedure is disjointed across several procedures. Visual inspection of the passenger side looks pretty straight forward to dig down through the appendages to access the valve cover. The driver's side looks much more complex.

Does anyone have tips or procedures to access the LH valve cover on the 4.0L V-6 short of stripping the top end???

 

You have to remove the upper intake manifold which isn't terribly difficult, just some electrical connectors, vacuum lines, and wire harness clips.
Here's a decent video detailing it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUzL8EOWnY0

 

The important part is RTV/FIPG.

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

 

@TnShooter .... You sure that goo is necessary? The FelPro valve cover set uses an O-ring type of formed gasket. It has the cover gasket with plug well gaskets and seals for the cover bolts. The set cost was <$20 from RockAuto.

@Dm93 ... Thanks, I've seen that "tutorial". Frankly, cell phone how to vids made at 3 inches from the object with a great deal of movement are quite confusing. I get the premise that I just need to dig thru the upper appendages to clear access for the valve cover.

I was hoping for a path to avoid stripping the top.......oh well....needs to be done.

 

You don’t need it all the way around.
You only use it where the timing cover meets the head. 2 little daps will do it.

I personally would use the “goo”.
Maybe a tech like @Bishop84 will know if you can get by without it?

Personally I’d use it. I don’t want to have pull the cover off later fix a leak.

 

@TnShooter .... the valve covers are intimate with the timing cover??? I'll have to dig into the part diagrams in the OEM Repair Manual.

 

Yes, they are. It will be pretty evident once you get it opened up. The timing cover, block, and valve cover meet at a “T”.

 

See here for the spots
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...over-leak-gasket-replacement-and-more.479612/

 

Thats a crappy intersection to seal............. Nuts, I need a tube of goo.

Do you think black roofing cement would work? I have 2 10 oz tubes on hand for an upcoming roofing project.

 

Lol, no. I do t think that will work.


I’d use one of the black series RTV.
I like Permatex Ultra series myself.

Everyone has their own preference on RTV. Just be sure it’s rated for oil.

 

The worst part is getting the wiring harness clips off, otherwise it's just 6 bolts and 2 nuts holding the upper intake on.

Agree with @TnShooter any RTV rated for oil will work in the 2 spots where the timing cover meets the head I wouldn't reccomend using roofing cement. Any auto parts store, hardware store, or walmart should have some.

 

Yea its cheap insurance, its a big job for DIY, just get any black or grey silicone/rtv from any store.

 

It’s not just cheap insurance, the official Toyota service Manuel shows adding the FIPG at two small areas near the front of the vehicle
Good luck with the repair

 

Thanks.

Just kidding about the roof cement.

Appreciate the lift.

With a bit of luck, this is one of the few remaining tasks to complete before snow flies. After this, its a little DIY at the In-Laws, remove old roof vents and roof repair, store the lawn mower, prep the snow blower, put out the driveway marker stakes......well, the list is getting short. But I am married and LOML doesn't like me as a couch spud, so I'm confident the list will grow.