Taking care of the Valve Covers and there leaking issue's?

Turbo Habanero

New Member
Apr 28, 2009
4,229
0
0
36
Tucson,AZ
Ok so i find myself replacing these stupid valve cover gaskets way to often and quite frankly i'm tired of it lol.


So i bought new hardware from Toyota and #1-2 gaskets this time around but not sure what i should do about the #3 head cover and the 6 bolts?

I remember seeing something about just getting rid of it (#3 Cover) and using some type of plugs for it can some one enlighten me on this and tell me where to find what i need please.

I also thought i saw somewhere a replacement for the valve cover screws ? Change them to bolts instead anyone no what size i need can i just go down to the hardware store and get some?

Side question what plug wires should i use Stock or should i upgrade to something else ?(stock coils)

Thanks in Advance Jordan
 

legolyle

hopeful
Mar 17, 2011
182
0
0
Jacksonville, Florida
for the gaskets-I don't have enough experience to say what you could use that WILL get rid of the leaks-but maybe you could use some gasket maker?

getting rid of the #3 cover is pretty simple, just take it off, and use something like oil drain plug washers to keep the oil from leaking out. You might be able to use thread sealant alternatively-not sure on that.

as for the screws though-
according to this extremely useful fastener sheet found via SM:
http://jdub.supramania.com/Mechanical/Mk3 Engine Fasteners.pdf

the valve cover screws are
m6x1.0 - 27mm length


I replaced mine with some regular bolts found at lowes-you could also grab some washers to go with them-ALSO make sure you replace/use the rubber grommets that go under those bolts!

plug wires-I just used some NGK-I wouldn't use super cheap-o durabarand personally. But anything should work really. Toyota is pretty much the best-but also expensive.
 
Last edited:

legolyle

hopeful
Mar 17, 2011
182
0
0
Jacksonville, Florida
pretty sure you can get em at Napa, also most auto parts stores carry them in their aisles in packages up on the shelf and whatnot. willing to bet they have many many more in the back specific to each car or something as well.

They're just (large) plastic washers JIC ya didnt know.
 

Turbo Habanero

New Member
Apr 28, 2009
4,229
0
0
36
Tucson,AZ
So at Lowes i could only find M6x1 30mm think they will work? just use some washers and the grommets

Also i found some nylon Drain plug washers but had no idea what size they needed to be any clues on that?
 

legolyle

hopeful
Mar 17, 2011
182
0
0
Jacksonville, Florida
should be fine, just dont bottom em out, if you could find like 25mm that would probably work as well.

a few washers will fix it right up, I think I used 30 without any washers, if I remember ill check.


as for the nylon washers-dunno what sizes, just take one of the #3 valve cover screws out and measure. were both thinking of the same thing right? the large hex plugs that hold the cover on?
 

te72

Classifieds Moderator
Staff member
Mar 26, 2006
6,610
7
38
41
WHYoming
I seem to remember having to tighten up the valve covers once in a while on my 7m's... also, I believe you can get the items you speak of with Driftmotion, at least the replacement hex bolts for the valve cover screws that like to strip out on you.
 

suprarx7nut

YotaMD.com author
Nov 10, 2006
3,811
1
38
Arizona
www.supramania.com
Why wouldn't you get a brand new #3 gasket from Toyota for $50? Looks Damn sexy and clean. Not to mention it keeps the top of the head looking brand new, both above the gasket and below...

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk
 

Turbo Habanero

New Member
Apr 28, 2009
4,229
0
0
36
Tucson,AZ
te72;1759184 said:
I seem to remember having to tighten up the valve covers once in a while on my 7m's... also, I believe you can get the items you speak of with Driftmotion, at least the replacement hex bolts for the valve cover screws that like to strip out on you.

I used M6x1x30mm bolts from Lowes and put to washers on each bolt along with the washer and grommet seemed to work pretty good and i didn't have to wait on shipping (Always a bonus for me)

---------- Post added at 12:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:54 PM ----------

suprarx7nut;1759202 said:
Why wouldn't you get a brand new #3 gasket from Toyota for $50? Looks Damn sexy and clean. Not to mention it keeps the top of the head looking brand new, both above the gasket and below...

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

That's what i'm gonna do but it's like $110 here at Precision Toyota
 

legolyle

hopeful
Mar 17, 2011
182
0
0
Jacksonville, Florida
well, it sure doesnt if you dont seal the screws...thats a cover, not a seal so far as I know. plus, what if he thinks it looks better without it? ;)

i think it looks better without it personally. if you seal the screws and the valve covers you dont have to worry about any of it getting all that dirty.

edit: I see he has chimed in :p
lol, still, as far as i know, that cover does not seal the screws, youd need thread sealant or something i think.
 

legolyle

hopeful
Mar 17, 2011
182
0
0
Jacksonville, Florida
you sure about that? I just have some doubts, as I was told by someone that the hex bolts were sealed with silicone from the factory. got any for sure sources? ;)
because I'd like to know for sure as well.
 

suprarx7nut

YotaMD.com author
Nov 10, 2006
3,811
1
38
Arizona
www.supramania.com
Turbo Habanero;1759228 said:
I used M6x1x30mm bolts from Lowes and put to washers on each bolt along with the washer and grommet seemed to work pretty good and i didn't have to wait on shipping (Always a bonus for me)

---------- Post added at 12:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:54 PM ----------



That's what i'm gonna do but it's like $110 here at Precision Toyota

Be careful not to tighten them too tight. They came as screw from Toyota because it shouldn't have much torque at all. The screws are designed to NOT allow you to tighten it much. The bolts look and function much better, you just need to show restraint. It's tempting to clamp em down hard, but that wont help any. You'll just warp the cover.

$110?!?!?! I hope you're joking. You can get it shipped overnight from Champion Toyota for less than that I bet. With regular shipping from Champion its only $55. Tell your local dealer to lower the price or they lose business since they are price gouging.

p1759333_1.png
 

legolyle

hopeful
Mar 17, 2011
182
0
0
Jacksonville, Florida
unfortunately my dealer is the same way-I think champions prices are so much lower because they sell lots of items-and are just awesome. Valve cover gaskets are $12 from champion, and my dealer wants $50. That's per gasket mind you.
 

suprarx7nut

YotaMD.com author
Nov 10, 2006
3,811
1
38
Arizona
www.supramania.com
legolyle;1759334 said:
unfortunately my dealer is the same way-I think champions prices are so much lower because they sell lots of items-and are just awesome. Valve cover gaskets are $12 from champion, and my dealer wants $50. That's per gasket mind you.

Holy hell, you guys are getting SCREWED. My local dealers are always within ~10-20% of Champion. If not, I'll call them on it and they've always met me in the middle. You guys are getting charged a HUGE add on profit for your local dealer above the standard Toyota pricing if it's really that ridiculous.

How much is Toyota Coolant?! It just went up to 30-35 in my area. I'd hate to think what they try to charge you guys, lol. $100, haha.