bpardo19

I replaced my valve cover gaskets in my 3.0. I thought everything went well but when I put the half moons back on each valve cover, I noticed that in the slot they sit in, there is a metal plate on the back of the head which holds the half moon upright was bent back leaving a gap between the valve cover and metal plate. When I tow my boat i seem to lose more oil than driving without it. Im assuming that oil is leaking through that gap, but what caused them to bent back like that and how do I fix this? Thank you and any help is greatly appreciated.

MudHippy

Half moons???

WTH are you talking about? There's nothing called, or even vaguely resembling, a "half moon" on a 3VZE. If your rear cam plugs(PNC 11188)are in 2 pieces, then they need replaced. That's why they're leaking. If you bend the other part(PNC 11185A)so it's straight again it should work just fine(if you don't break it in the process). If there's a plate there instead of a ring-like part, that's not supposed to be there either.

Bojangles

He's talking about the Rubber Gromet that goes right in front of the cam shaft between the head and the valve cover.

Atleast thats what ive got on my 22RE so im guessing this is what he's talking about lol

MudHippy

No such part on a 3ZVE. I had my valve covers off numerous times, and have torn the heads down(removed the camshafts and valves)twice too. I've replaced EVERY single seal/gasket and plug on them as well. Not to mention replacing EVERY other seal/gasket on the entire engine, front to back/top to bottom. I've done a full rebuild on it including new pistons, rings, crank and rod bearings, exhaust valves, timing belt pulleys, etc., etc. . And I can guarantee you there's NOTHING in the shape of, or that even slightly looks like, a "half moon" on the ENTIRE engine.

If there's a part on a 3VZE I know about it!

Here's the rest of the head components for reference.


I'm pretty sure at this point he's either talking about another engine(5VZFE?). Or someone's a done some kind of modification to it. Because there ain't no 3VZE with "half moons" PERIOD!

Bojangles

Bahaha.
Like i said, ive had a 22RE and a 22R and they are the only toyota engines ive delt with so far that have had those rubber gromets (Half moons)
But ya know what helps?
Pictures.
Yup...

bpardo19

When i ordered my valve cover gaskets, they came with two black circular pieces. I took off the valve cover and noticed where the black circular piece came from. There is a slot they fit in, and the metal piece in the back that holds the black circular piece in the slot is bent back.....it about and angle like this /

MudHippy

The metal piece is held on by two bolts. Remove it, straighten, and replace. See post #2, PNC 11185A

sb5walker

It's called the "camshaft plug" - metal with a rubber coating. autohausaz.com sells what looks to be the OEM part for about 8 bucks:



In order to get my valve cover to stop leaking, I had to coat both sides of the gasket AND the circumference of the plug with a thin coat of black RTV. That held for 6 years with no leaks, then it started seeping again.

six6vetteguy

It's called the circular plug.

MudHippy

Actually, Toyota calls it:
The gaskets/seals refered to as the "half moons" are:

And



Circled here in red.

pholife

do u need to remove the head to replace shaft ug?
thank you in advance.

rworegon

To replace the camshaft, the head does not need to be removed.

sb5walker

But you have to get those cam pulley bolts off, hehe.

pholife

thank you!