Valve Cover Gaskets on the 3.4L V6

So I started smelling burning oil after I'd driven my Taco around town, and I discovered that my valve cover was dripping oil onto the exhaust manifold.

My question is, how hard is it to replace them myself? I'm a moderately competent shade tree mechanic, but not really a car guy. I can follow directions, is all. Looking in the Haynes manual, my engine is clearly the most difficult one to do this job on (of course); it looks pretty simple on the 4-cyl.

Should I try this, or just spend the $280 to have my mechanic do it?

 

@Timmah! has a video - definitely take a look! After watching his vid, I'm sure you'll have a better idea whether you want to tackle the job or not.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5fAXAuGozI

 

All depends on your finances and whether or not you have the confidence to do it. I've never done mine but being that it has 148k on the clock, I'd like to get it done. I read one story on here where a guy attempted it and he had a real bad ticking after doing it and couldn't get it to stop. From that post, I told myself I'm paying the money because mine is a daily driver. I plan on buying a beater someday to tear apart and learn how to rebuild the 5VZ being that I'll most likely always have a 1st gen Tacoma or 3rd gen 4Runner in the driveway due to the overwhelming dependability of these trucks.

 

I did mine a few months back. Took me a morning with the help of one other. It just requires some time to break down all of the things to get to the gaskets. Once that is done it’s a breeze. I took pre-work pictures for reference and watched the above referenced video.

 

Just had mine done. Replaced everything in the posted video above except the spark plugs and wires(they were replaced the year before when I did my timing belt). Wish it was only $280. Paid $630

 

take a look at my write up

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ping-out-valve-cover-gaskets-pictures.469596/

 

That video is from a 3rd Gen, not a 1st Gen like my 2002. It looks entirely different.

 

Same thing

 

I dunno about valve cover gaskets, but I'd say at best they are similar, not the same. For example, I watched Timmah's video on replacing steering rack bushings and because he has a 4runner and not a tacoma, I did not have the right tools for the job. The sway bar end links were different and I couldn't remove them because I didn't have the right tools, but I'd watched the video prior to preparing and thought I did.

So just because they're the same engine does not mean everything is the same.

 

I meant the valve cover gaskets

 

It is "usually" an easy job. Are you going to check the valve clearances while you have her apart? Might be a good idea to replace the PCV valve and grommet while she is apart also.

 

Its the exact same engine, different truck body whats the big deal?

 

Half the battle of fixing things on your vehicle is having confidence that you can do it. Watch a few videos, get the tools and parts you need, and tell yourself you can do it.

 

I know, I'm just saying that because 1st gen taco / 3rd gen 4runner are used interchangeably most of the time one shouldn't assume they're exactly the same maintenance-wise. That might be the case with the vcg, but it definitely is not for other components.

 

That's why it's a good idea to allow time for unexpected things to pop up. Most of Timmah!'s videos are perfect at describing how to do stuff, but even then it's a good idea to poke around and get an idea for how everything's gonna go down before you pull the trigger on a job. Always expect the unexpected. You can get lucky a bunch of times and get away problem free, but if you do enough stuff on your truck, things will pop up unexpectedly even with the best possible planning so just give yourself plenty of (extra) time to get something done and stress levels will be significantly reduced. Not always possible in the real world, still a wise thing to do when possible.

 

280.00 probably is a very good deal if you don’t want to do it yourself.
FYI, the valve cover bolts tend to loosen up over time, you might be able to just torque them to
spec again and buy yourself some time. Becarful because you can snap the bolts easily or strip the thread. The torque is pretty small

 

The engine is the exact same, the front suspension is the exact same, the only real tiny differences are the rear suspension and the tranny. Dont over think it. The 4runner is literally a different body on the same chassie as a tacoma (with minor things different to allow the new body)

 

Get em now before the happen, reseal those half moons

 

I got every gasket/seal needed/installed when mine were replaced. Got lucky, I gave my Toyota tech $180 labor for the complete job. About $175 in total via OEM parts too. Took him 3-4 hours to complete

 

Feels good.