Started the Valve Cover gasket replacement *pics*

[iMod]

Does anyone have any info on the hose that's next to the oil cap. Mine split, I called Toyota about it and they didn't have it. A serial number would be nice.

Either that or can I just get hose of the same diameter at a hardware store and call it good? Or is it some kind of special high temp hose that I have to get from Toyota or a parts store?

 

[JustAnotherVictim]

Crankcase ventilation.
Get it from Toyota unless you're gonna fab up AN lines.

 

[iMod]

THE HOSE

ONE OF THE BOLTS THAT HOLDS THE VALVE COVER IN PLACE.

I put up a pic of the bolt to make sure that's the right kind. It's the kind the last guy put in. It makes me wonder if the bolt had enough grip on the washers.

Also that's the hose. Is it a high temp hose or is it just something I can get from a hardware store. I'm just worried it'll melt or screw up if I get the wrong one.

 

[suprarx7nut]

The bolt pictured is the stock valve cover screw from Toyota. Its right, but not the best solution, IMO. Go get those bolts you saw where the thread stopped before the head, just like the one pictured, but with a hex head that is wrenchable. Just don't torque it down too much. Those bolts are not supposed to be very tight.

That hose is on the exhaust side of the block and wraps down almost directly underneath the manifold, right? If it's that hose, I would most certainly get the Toyota one, or at least a part-store model-specific equivalent.

Can't wait to see it all back together and CLEAN!!! The one valve cover looks great, keep it up.

 

[iMod]

I don't know if I did something wrong or something right. I finished the project, put everything back together and started filling it with oil. I got through 10 bottles (1 quart bottles), and my roomate called me and asked how I was doing. I told him I was doing good but this thing keeps wanting more oil. I told him I put in 10 quarts and it's still not registering on the dipstick. He said I did something wrong cos it shouldn't need anywhere near that much. I've checked for leaks but I don't see any at all inside or under the car.

I didn't know that I wasn't supposed to put that much in there. As I said before I haven't worked on cars before. I didn't know 10 quarts is too much. I decided to turn on the engine and like you guys said it's idling pretty rough due to the oil in the cylinders. I can smell gasoline really strong too. Can someone please help me out and tell me what to do???? I don't wanna ruin my car

 

[cuel]

umm.... 10 qts. is twice as much as it holds. 6 is okay, but 10.... Which stick are you checking? It should be right next to the exhaust, in a skinny tube, and go down to the block, not back toward the trans. The handle should be a black "T" type. Where are you putting the oil in at?

 

[iMod]

the cap that says oil. That's where I'm putting the oil in. If you're looking straight at the car, I'm checking on the left hand side there's the little dipstick and stuff next to the intake. Is there a chance that the guy put in a dipstick from another vehicle?

 

[Rennat]

Make sure the dipstick is really SHOVED INTO the block... and if you can wiggled the tube a bit, then you need to shove it on there more, but if you've put 10 quarts in, your GOOD. no more, you need to need to get the dipstick right... it'll probably be a pain in the ass, but it kinda has to be done.

if you have a LONG extension, then you can tap it into the block, beating the extension with a hammer of course... and if you can, pull the dipstick out, and get a measuring tape and measure it, i'd be more than willing to go measure mine.

 

[iMod]

I think the oil is starting to settle. It's reading on the dipstick now. It's way over full....like WAY over full. I'll go take a pic and post it right now.

 

[iMod]

Okay here's the pic of the dipstick.

 

[iwannadie]

I always put in like 5qts, start the car let it idle a few minutes then turn it off and let it settle and read the stick. Then, add oil as needed to get it full. Plus fresh oil is hard to see on the dipstick as its so clean ha.

Drain all that oil back out and refill with 5 and go from there....

 

[suprarx7nut]

OMG, drain some of that oil please. Many here like to use a quart over, but 10 is a little excessive. lol.

Honestly, I really respect that you're willing to learn about your car. I have absolutely no problem with people that dont know a tire from a wheel as long as they make an honest attempt to learn.

Now go drain a little of that oil. Or all of it, and then put about 6 quarts back in.

When you fill your engine with oil, your are pouring the oil into the head which then leads down into the block. The oil needs to flow through a maze of jackets and such before it arrives in the sump in the pan. Like you said, it settles.

Next time:
-consult your owners manual and just add the amount they quote.
-Then run it for a few minutes and allow it to cool.
-Then check your oil level.

P.s. the pics help a ton and you're already 10 steps ahead of some member's ability to communicate in a forum setting. Congrats, :bigthumb:

 

[AJ'S 88NA]

We'll learn ya to be a Supe mech-can-nic. Get yourself a repair manual, it helps a lot if you have something in front of you to read and look at. If you don't understand something or it's not clear in the manual, somebody on here will be able to help. Like suprerxnut said, good job trying and hanging in there, I've seen guys want to give up and sell out for little things. The pics help, and you give as much info as you can about the problem, what you have done about trying to fix it, and you aren't afraid to say I screwed up. Well done.

I just noticed the markings on the side of the valve cover in your first set of pics. Do you know if the motor has been replaced with a JDM or from a salvage yard? That's what it looks like to me is numbers that they would put on there to identify theie salvage motors.

 

[iMod]

Thanks man I appreciate the compliments. It really helps to have you guys helping me out along the way.

Well It's all done. I'm completely drenched and a little muddy, cos it's pouring rain outside and since I'm doing this at my parents house I don't get to use the garage since their car is in there (92 Camry V6 LE). We're in the middle of a windstorm too so it really sucked but I'm really happy I finally got it done. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to get that bolt out of the oil pan so I could drain it...I also found out how little space is really under a 88 Supra...not very much lol. Anyways it's 10:28pm I'm drenched, cold, smarter and happier now that my car is running....kinda....idling kinda weird but I was told that's normal and it'll do that for a while.

THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP EVERYONE I REALLY APPRECIATE IT!!!:icon_bigg :icon_bigg :icon_bigg

 

[iMod]

Oh and yea it's a JDM motor. The guy who owned it last had his original engine blow a head gasket and he ended up getting a crate engine from Japan

 

[suprarx7nut]

Good work!!!

I changed my oil pan in the freezing rain a while back so i know what you mean.

AJ had a great point with the repair manual. The TSRM is the closest thing i have to a bible, lol.

 

[iMod]

Well I've taken the car out for about 40 miles and it's just starting to sound like normal. I have two problems and I'm wondering if they're linked together.

First off, my throttle cable is really loose. Does anyone know how i can tighten it?

Secondly, I can't go over 40mph. Once it hits exactly 40mph it starts shaking really bad.

Does anyone know how to fix those?

 

[suprarx7nut]

40 mph shake could be many things. First thing i would check is balancing the tires. Out of balance tires can give you a wicked shimmy. Could be many other more serious things as well. Driveshaft maybe out of whack? :dunno:

As for the throttle cable, it's an easy fix. You no doubt removed the throttle cable assembly sort of piece when you did the VC. That's where you tighten it. There will be two cables leading away from the assembly. One goes to your cruise control booster(big cylindrical thing near the driver's corner of the engine bay) and one that is the throttle cable for your foot.

To tighten it, simply use a [10mm?] wrench to slowly pull the jacket of the cable back. Not sure how to explain it, but you really just loosen or tighten the two nuts until you arrive at the desired result.

Here's a pic of the thing you want to tighten. look for the left hand side of the cable and note the two small nuts.

http://www.cygnusx1.net/Supra/Library/EPC/Figures/MCD530A.gif

 

[iMod]

yea I noticed those nuts on but wasn't sure if it was ok to tighten them.

 

[iwannadie]

Just be carefull with the Orange rubber boot on one of the cables. I adjust my cable and some how the rubber piece got itself stuck holding the throttle wide open. I think the cable was sticky(dry) and just pulled the rubber piece with it some how. Its odd it only happened after I adjusted the cable.