Rocker Cover Gaskets

[mal58 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mal58]

Hi,
The rocker cover gaskets on both heads are weeping. It is probably time to fix as the car is 17 years old and has done approx 210K km.

Is it normal procedure to replace the gaskets, or is it a "dismantle, clean and put back the old ones back" process ?

If it is the normal procedure to replace the gaskets, where is the best place in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne to get the gaskets ?

Also, do you use any gasket goo/ sealant, and if so is there a recommended one that you should use.


Thanks,
Mal

[hawks667 Member Find all posts View Profile Close hawks667]

They tend to work loose over time. I snug mine up every month or so and it stopped the weeping...

[fishtank Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close fishtank]

Does anyone know what torque specs to use for tightening them up? Mine leak as well but havnt bothered changing them as I don't lose enough oil between oil changes for it to be a problem.

[hawks667 Member Find all posts View Profile Close hawks667]

Gregory's says 6nm...

[RobboMC Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RobboMC]

Mine has the same little issue at 199,000. I just nipped them up by hand with a 3/8" drive socket. You will need an expensive little torque wrench to measure 6Nm. But if you are going to go to the trouble of removing the covers then a new gasket would probably be necessary as in my DIY experience reusing a gasket is not worth the risk.

[LeighW Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LeighW]

I have always found that rocker cover gaskets hard due to high temps and oil,
I would recommend you replace them if their leaking.

[RanJ Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close RanJ]

As LeighW mentions... they tend to harden up over time. After I replaced mine I just touch them with the ratchet as some bolts do tend to work themselves loose (fingertight) next oil change I'm contemplating backing them out and putting a small touch of light duty thread locker on them to see if it helps. They should still be very easily removed if i do that.

[Darran K Member Find all posts View Profile Close Darran K]

Having just done mine a few weeks ago, they could be reused but if your going to the trouble of pulling that much of the engine down you might as well swap them out.

I changed the gaskets, the spark plug seals(will need doing as they get hard and brittle) plus the metal/rubber washers that hold the covers down(mine where crushed so bad that i couldnt reuse them). There is two half moon seals at each end of the cylinder head that need to be removed and re sealed with gasket sealant while your in there. I changed the intake gaskets as well, you need 4 of them for the two halves.

I used genuine toyota parts for mine and i think it came to around $180 in parts to do.

[crembz Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close crembz]

Just a question about the process here, how hard is it to replace the gasket? My mechanic is telling me it's not an easy job as the intake and lpg system is covering the covers and will need to be removed.

[Darran K Member Find all posts View Profile Close Darran K]

Yes all of the intake plenum chamber, throttle body has to come off. It comes off in two pieces. Its not a hard job, just time consuming. I Did mine over a weekend.

[RanJ Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close RanJ]

Just a question about the process here, how hard is it to replace the gasket? My mechanic is telling me it's not an easy job as the intake and lpg system is covering the covers and will need to be removed.

As Darren says... it not difficult. Just time consuming. Mind you, having had my intake off multiple times now, I had my gaskets swapped in about 3 hours.

[mal58 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mal58]

So, if its going to take me quite a few hours, I assume its worth getting the gasket kit that includes the seals around spark plugs.

http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_o...asket&_sacat=0

Cheers,
Mal

[RanJ Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close RanJ]

Definetly. Your removing them to replace the main gaskets.

[Darran K Member Find all posts View Profile Close Darran K]

So, if its going to take me quite a few hours, I assume its worth getting the gasket kit that includes the seals around spark plugs.

http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_o...asket&_sacat=0

Cheers,
Mal

Yep

[crembz Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close crembz]

Is the eBay stuff good enough quality to use rather than genuine Toyota parts?