Ultraman V

I'm sure this has been posted before, but here it goes again.

I've got a 96 with a 3.4 and 190+k miles on her. The valve covers had been leaking in the rear so last night I checked the bolts on the valve covers. All of the lower bolts were so loose I could tighten them with my fingers. I snugged them all down, so hopefully that will solve my leak. Just wanted to say check those bolts before they.........

AntiVenom7

yep, they get loose. i thought i was going to have to replace my gaskets when i first got the truck. but a quick tightening/torque solved the problem

CTRJ

I just replaced mine when they started leaking. It's not that expensive and easy to do.

mkgarrison5

uh why did they come loose?? never heard that one before lol... seriously

22R-to-5VZFE

cool I've got 210k on mine...I am going to go check this out!

Greg_Canada

thanks dude i noticed a leak down my pass. side... i'll give it a shot tomorrow! (150k)

toy_tek

Make sure you torque them properly, not just crank them down. If you overtighten you will deform the gasket and possibly the valve cover itself, which will lead to additional leakage.

From the 1997 3.4 FSM Valve Cover bolt torque: 53 In/Lbs

Ultraman V

^^^^ Very True! I just snugged mine down, do not overtighten them or it will be worse that before you started.

......and that would be lbs/in, which 54 seems almost too tight IMO, I probably only went to around 20 lb/inch.

I have no idea why they would loosen up except that they are not "torqued" down to begin with and after 10 years and 170,000 miles there is a lot of vibration and heat/cold cycles. Just one of those things I guess.

Gonzo4Runner

At 190K miles and 11 to 12 years of age, those gaskets are hard and have shrunk. They should be replaced. Tightening the cover bolts will only slow down the oil leaks, not eliminate them.

Ultraman V

Well, so far............I disagree with you


I do agree that they should be replaced, and will be this summer, but for now........

phildelfino

Thanks for the reminder. I've got 223K and suspect a leak on the pass. side. I can tighten mine now in the cold and replace them in the spring when Reno thaws out.

rob17san

They 3.4L is notorious for leaking oil on the passenger side valve cover in the rear near the firewall, on engines with higher mileage. Just an FYI

crbocaj125

I just tightened mine before a few hundred mile trip. Every one of them was loose.

Adam F

Same with the 3.0L. Drips on the exhaust manifold and smokes up pretty good.

A lot harder to do on the 3.0 since the intake manifold is in the way of the passenger side cover!

CHIBA

[JUST CURIOUS ,HAVE ANYBODY TRY A LITTE LOCKTIGHT, (BLUE) MIGHT WORK??

98runner210

where would u be putting that?! Just replace the seal!