Well, now that my starting problem is fixed the next issue I will address will be an oil leak I am having with the 88 v6 4Runner.

I can easily see that the driverside valve cover gasket is leaking in the rear, quite a good bit. It is leaking enough to show a steady line and is leaking right onto the exhaust manifold (so nice white smoke after I cleaned the engine and ungunked the leak more). Next week since I will be done with finals and just waiting to graduate and receive my degree I will prolly be replacing the valve cover gaskets. I have searched the forums and read about the black rtv in the corner areas.

Is it overkill to use the rtv all over the gasket?

I have read the bolts need to be torqued to 5lbs, correct? Many have also mentioned they needed to be put in and tightened in a certain order. I have a link for an early 90s service manual but can not find the bolt torque order in it.
Anyone have a scan or just know?

Going to be picking up a torque wrench and all the parts early next week hopefully and starting on it mid to late of nextweek. The intake plenum does scare me somewhat and I do not know if I will be tackling it to get to the passenger side valve cover, i can not tell if it is leaking. Will also be doing the pcv valve and grommet while I am in there.

 

I don't think it's overkill. I put rtv between the gasket and the valve cover AND between the gasket and the head. It works well. You should probably replace your PCV grommet while you're in there too.

 

I'm pretty certain it's 11 lb/ft of torque for those....

 

i would buy new bolts because it sucks when they break off in the head

 

My FSM says 48 in lb for the valve cover bolts

 

holy crap! no wonder I stretched two bolts last time....