05 Tacoma 4.0L Valve cover gasket replacement

So this wednesday 1/29/2020 im doing a valve cover gasket r&r for my dad. looks pretty straight forward but i wanted to look up a procedure before hand so i have an idea of what im getting into. i couldnt find any information on how to do it, even through Shopkey pro and Alldata. i know labor is only 2.1 so it cant be that difficult, but if some one has pictures or anything, that would be greatly appreciated. thx

 

Here are a couple things I found on it.
Be sure to read the TSB on adding Seal Packing (permatex / RTV) where the timing cover meets the block. I’m not sure if they have an updated gasket or not?

Maybe @Bishop84 knows?

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...over-leak-gasket-replacement-and-more.479612/


https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/valve-cover-leak-how-bad-is-it.518293/

 

Stole this from the thread TN has shared. Just a dab of silicone (seal packing), any silicone will do with valve covers. Black Toyota FPIG is pricey for a simple valve cover job.

Also if you have ANY oil on the spark plugs, now its the time to change the spark plug tube seals.

 

The tube seals come as part of the valve of the valve cover gasket. You cannot replace the VCG without doing the tube seals at the same time because of the way it is designed.

I cannot stress enough to the OP to use silicone where the timing cover meets the valve cover gaskets, you DO NOT want to go back in there to fix a screw up as the repair is insanely frustrating and also time consuming if you own a 2012+ due to the air injection pump. Regardless, you don't want to have to go back in there as it is a serious nuisance to double work.

 

Thanks for the help man.
I figured you may know best, since you’ve probably done a few dozen by now.

 

Actually not too many, case and point I assumed it had tube seals haha. I did a rav4 timing cover today and it had isolated tube seals.

 

Alright thanks guys for the help. I'll be sure to add the silicone where the timing cover and the gasket meets. I appreciate all the help. Wish me luck

 

just finished putting it in, ill monitor it and make sure theres no leaks. ill keep you guys updated with it. i also made sure to add the silicone like you guys said. thanks for the help

 

I'm doing this same job (replacing valve cover gasket and spark plug tube gaskets), and the two things I'm confused on:
1. where exactly do I put this silicone?? The illustration suggests just a dab here and a dab there, but the description suggests a continuous bead.

2. With regards to how much to torque the bolts down. The diagram shared here suggests 80 in lb , but I can't even find a torque wrench that goes that low. Is it about just knowing by feel about how tight it should be?

Thanks ya'll.

 

Refer to my image where it says "seal packing" thats the union of timing cover to cylinder head, thats where you put the dab.

 

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Thanks Bishop84. So just a dab in those two spots?? and NOT a continuous bead from one to the other? And this is for the 2RZ-FE engine?? The diagram you share is the same as one I found for the 1GR-FE

 

I don't think the 2RZ-FE uses any silicone.

 

The service manual doesn’t say anything about it.
It says install gasket then the cover.

 

It's Toyota standard to dap silicone on the mating union of cover to head.

Also the half moons need to be cleaned and silicone Ideally, with daps on their edges exposed.

Those manuals are half baked from pre-2005.

Pull up a 2TR and you'll see the dap marks.

 

Wow. Super helpful information, ya'll.

I honestly figured just leave the little half-moons, as I'm pretty sure my leak is coming through the spark-plug tube gaskets. There is zero oil leaking down side of engine...although there is some on the top (presumably also coming out those two hoses that come out the top of the valve cover (one of these is the PCV valve...the other I'm not sure about).

 

Oh perhaps you mean just a dab of silicone on top of the half-moons, rather than popping them out and re-installing?

 

I usually take them out and put a little around them but if they are still pliable and not hard as a rock you may be ok.

 

OK...final problem, I think. I cannot for the life of me figure out how to get the new spark plug tube gaskets in. I'm wondering if the dealership gave me the wrong part. The old blue gaskets (perhaps themselves a replacement), tore apart when I tried to remove them. I can't get this last bit of residue out, but I don't think it is going to matter as I think these new gaskets are going to be sealing the ring below that (if I do have to get this out, I can't figure it how...the old rubber just tore apart with the littlest amount of force).

Regardless, are there any tricks for getting these new gaskets in? I was under the impression that they would be rubbery and flexible, but the outer ring on these is VERY firm.

 

You need to get the rest of the old seals out, that metal shell that is still in there is part of the old seal.
I usually pop them out with a flat screwdriver, just be careful not to gouge the bore where the seal goes.

 

OMG you're kidding. I need to pop out that metal ring in there??? Haha. I'm an idiot. But I'm learning! Gonna work on that, now!