I pulled the passenger valve cover off and found this plate hanging loosely. Will I need a new valve cover or will the plate less cover work?

 

I'd fix it or get a new one. It might work without it. But there's a reason for it. It's just eluding me at the moment. There's also two types of passenger side valve covers. If you're replacing it, you'll want to get the later/upgrade version. If that's not the one you have(doesn't look like it is).

This one.

http://www.yotashop.com/toyota-3vz-3...assanger-side/

 

Will it just press back in place over the little nubbins? The baffle looks like it's designed so oil does not get sucked directly in the PCV.

 

The baffle slips over those little "nubbins", but the tiny circular plates are missing that hold the baffle to the cover.

With the grooved and contoured shape of the valve, it's probably too important to not replace or fix properly. Looks like the wallet just got a little thinner!

Thank you, rworegon and MudHippy.

 

Yeah, I see those worn spots on the baffle now. Yikes, the valve train ate the plates? Are you pulling the other side to inspect it?

 

Well, I pulled the intake and both valve covers off to replace gaskets and the PCV valve, and found the plate loose, but stuck on there from the congested oil and residue. The driver side cover is good, though..

Funny side note, over half of the valve cover bolts were hand tight or looser! Crummy PO

 

Not uncommon as they work loose seemingly on their own.

 

I wonder.. Do the 3.4 valve covers work loose like that>

 

Yes, they do.

Do the 3.0's have the rubber and metal grommets under each valve cover bolt? If so, it might good to change them if the are hard and cracked.

 

They have the little metal grommets shown in the picture MudHippy posted. That's all, though. Or.. at least that's what's left from my original ones!

 

I don't see any washers in the EPC on second glance. One less thing to mess with.

 

you can drill a small hole, tap it and use a small screw and washer, be sure to use locktite.

I have a 22R valve cover for sale if you want it, PM me

 

I'm needing a 3vze cover.. Unless I missed it, do the 22r covers work instead

 

But...

 

I had the same issue, but it was knocking badly under that cover. It looks like the first cam lobe was hitting the baffle, I replaced it and it’s still knocking like the lobe is hitting. Anyone have any experience with something like that?