So I was installing the timing cover and focused on trying to keep the oil pan gasket the previous owner put in place and didnt realize I was crushing the head gasket (head still on block. Well I cut it off and used some rtv but it is weeping oil somewhere in the top front. What are my options here? Do I need to start over again? Whats the best rtv to use in this situation and how do i make sure it seals up at the top? Thanks

 

I wish I had a quarter for how many times that's happened to ppl, or I've seen that done...


To do it right? Get the timing cover back on, get a head gasket and remove the head.

If you're a strong man and like shortcuts, lift the head off with the lower intake (RE?) and exhaust manny still on.

Drain coolant.
3 exhaust down pipe studs.
Grounds and water hoses...
Pull the harness back if it's RE...
Head studs and pull...
Clean surfaces, install gasket and re assemble.

Sumpn like dat


Working on the engine in the bay is so hard this is why 9 outta 10x I remove my engines to do most things.

Put a T-shirt over the hood catch, trust me... It'll save you from being gutted.

 

problem is .. with out a gasket in the front , you have probabaly overtighteded the front bolt cracking the timing cover bolt boss ..
you dont need to remove the head !

the front area in the timing cover is only "splash oiled" .. there is no pressure forcing the oil out .

i'll bet you will need a new timing cover


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I dont recall off the top of my head but that bolt has a really low torque and I doubt I cracked anything but time will tell when I pull it again.

 

I have it on very good authority the grey permatex is really good for this application. Then again, so is Toyota FIPG.

Yeah, just clean it up and start over sealing the cover.

 

i was able to avoid screwing up the head gasket and pangasket when I did mine. I used Permatex gray RTV and no leaks after 15,000 miles.

 

have a look here threw Al's thread .. https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f114...ywhere-215780/ .. if you tightened it to torque spec , without the gasket there , I would almost guarentee you broke the boss


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Got lucky and didnt break it. I will try to seal it once more and if I fail this time ill got the hg route.