Hello all-

Firstly, I wanted to say that this forum is probably the BEST place to find info on virtually anything Toyota truck related. I have done many successful repairs to my 1995 4Runner based on the info found here! Thanks to all for that help!

This time, I am looking for information regarding the brand/type of valve cover gasket that people have found to do the best job of stopping the infamous 3-VZE valve cover gasket oil leaks. I did some searching here, but didn't seem to find any specific info on which gasket is the best option. Since the job is known to be one of the bigger "pain in the butt" things you have to do on the 3-VZE engine, I want to make sure that I get that absolute BEST gasket beforehand. I have the Toyota FSM manual for this vehicle, so I know about the spots where you have to apply RTV to the valve covers (Toyota calls that "seal packing"?). Any advice that would help me be successful in this job would be greatly appreciated.

Also, if anyone needs the FSM for the 1990-1995 4Runner (with either 2WD or 4WD, and the 22R 4-cylinder or 3-VZE 6-cylinder engine), I have the whole thing zipped up into a single file that I would be able to put up on my webserver for download. Please PM me here, and I'll send you a link as it's about 40MB to download!

Thanks in advance!

 

^also check out iamsuperbleeder's signature, he's got FSM's on there still I think....

 

Thanks, it's always good to know there's multiple sources for people to find this kind of important info!

 

for sure! make sure to check out ocdropzone's page of mods/good ideas thread, lots of good random tech info on there...

 

I just did mine and used the felpro gaskets, they were blue in color and took care of my leaking valve cover issue. They were very nice gaskets.

 

I will have to tackle this same task myself when better weather comes. I had the same concerns about gaskets and which ones work the best. I've always had good luck with fel-pro in all the domestic vehicles I've owned, but I am still leary about anything when it comes to toyotas due to my lack of knowledge.
Changing valvecover gaskets on a typical small block chevy can usually be done in an hour or so. I think it will take the better part of a day (maybe more?) on this toyota so I'm with you on wanting the absolute BEST gaskets possible. I see victor reinze(sp?) on autozone's site as the only other gasket choice which is a few dollars more than the fel-pro ones. I'm not sure if it's more of the actual perimeter gasket seal on these engines, or if it's more to do with the seals for the cam(???).
Either way, there should be a bunch of suggestions considering, like you've already mentioned, this seems to be a common problem.

 

my 5vz is also leaking a little on the driver side near the firewall, get to redo mine pretty soon too...

I used the schucks brand (felpro I think?) manifold gaskets when I did my headers and have no leaks so far (about 30k miles)

 

I've used some from O'Reillys and latest ones came in a head gasket set from Bruce at Parts Dinosaur. Both worked fine. Removing the plenum to change them isn't just a huge deal once you've done it a time or two When you get the plenum off you might consider going a bit further and taking off the intake manifold and change that knock sensor pigtail. It'll go on you sooner than later probably. Just be sure to us the black oil resistant type FIPG (Toyota sells for about $8/tube) and apply is in all the right places. Also don't over torque the valve cover bolts or you'll have leaks again.

 

don't over torque the bolts, or you'll crack the valve covers lmao

i've heard that the only way to stop them from leaking is using any of the valve cover gaskets available (i used fel-pro) and smear em with some Black FIPG from Toyota, and torque em down to spec.



where EXACTLY does the FSM say to apply the FIPG? my FSM doesn't say anything about that

 

Second that on the bolts they will twist the heads right off. I went with the toyota foactory cover gaskets, and be sure to get a pleneum gasket, and a throttle body gasket.Also change the PVC valve while you are in there. You will apply the FIPG wher the four corners of the valve cover contact the cylinder head.

 

Can't go wrong with OEM gaskets. However, these are not as critical as say head gaskets in terms of spending the extra $$ for genuine Totota. Use the FIPG in the corners per FSM.

I did mine a couple of years ago and although it helped decrease oil seeping it did not completely cure it. Turns out my cam plugs were leaking too. It is a PITA to reach them but while you have the plenum and valve covers off, you might think about replacing those plugs too.

 

Hey, I live in the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area (though I'm not there right now). I did the valve cover gaskets last spring/summer using OEM gaskets, but I don't recall the brand name (Japanese, maybe started with an 'M'?). No leaks after 10k miles of driving.

I may have a set of Fel-Pros, and I definitely have some FIPG. I'll check back in when I'm back in the area, cos they're yours if you want them.

--FIPG application is mentioned on page EG2-80 in the 1993 FSM.

 

I used a thin coat of black RTV on both sides of OEM gaskets and that stopped the leak for 6 years.

EDIT: Oh, and I also used RTV all around the cam plugs, too, as Wrenchinjoe mentioned. See the fsm for specs on torquing those on.

 

x2 on changing your pcv valve while your in there, it's under the pass side plenum on the valve cover (der), huge PITA to change if it's old and hardened like mine was. i had to remove the entire intake plenum to fish mine out in pieces... might consider some braided hose also on there, next time you can yoink it out with the hose instead of fishing under the plenum. I was lucky and was able to recover all the peices of the rubber grommet on the PCV valve, can easily drop into the valve cover!

 

Just looking for opinions I guess, but would any quality off the shelf sealer work just as well such as black permatex?

 

i've never had any problems with any of the RTV or any other kind of Form In Place Gasket

although i have seen that orange RTV break loose occasionally.


Black FIPG has been the best so far

 

One of my favorite Toyota FIPG was the Toyota Gray, which is now either unavailable or hard to get. It cured quite hard and strong. But that apparently was made by Permatex, and Permatex Ultra Gray is still available and apparently is used by some Toyota dealers. Toyota sold me the Toyota labeled Gray in 1998 to seal my leaking oil pan, and it has held up perfect ever since (knocking on wood right now It used to be that the Toyota black was different from the Permatex - the Toyota was softer. But now they may be identical, for all I know. As to whether Permatex Black is as good as Toyota Black, IDK because I've had so much good luck with the Toyota black over the past 16 years that I always use that for stuff like valve covers. But probably the Permatex is just as good.

Permatex makes a bunch of different formulas; I recommend reading the tech datasheets (TDS) and material safetey datasheets for the Permatex products. Only a few are recommended for water pumps, for example:

http://www.permatex.com/products/Aut...ket_makers.htm

 

I would absolutely love that! I have a 1990 3vze just rebuilt with two thousand
miles and I'm fighting my valve cover gaskets. The motor runs great, but stopping
that leak is impossible. I have done the gaskets twice since the rebuild! rdafoe1@ yahoo.com

 

rdafoe1, what response are you expecting from a bump to a two year old thread? Your post above seems to indicate that you are expecting something.