Hiya,
Looking for some insight/tips on an issue I have with my camry.
Toyota Camry has started leaking oil around the valve cover, Im assuming its just a replacement gasket. Was doing my own research and found out that I have to take alot of parts off, so was wondering if there was anything else worth replacing while Im replacing the gasket.
Was also wondering where does everyone get their parts for cars?
2001 Camry V6 3.0L 1MZ-FE Sedan
Car has done 250,000km so far.
Lol, I get that comment alot. Car has been pretty solid and has been super easy and cheap to do the small maintenance on my own, good car to drive too, but i only have driven jap cars, so that doesnt say much lol.
I had one for like 12 years - was a great car.
People kept pressuring / joking I needed to update it but it just kept going and cost very little the whole time i had it. Eventually the missus just wanted a newer car cause everyone else had one - so we sold it.
Didn't even get to the point you are at now - most I had was an intermittent electric window fault and a breakdown from fuel issue after I ran it low following putting in dodgy fuel at a very dodgy rural servo on a trip (picture a 1960s timber dump with gravel driveways where they didn't even have an eftpos machine - I doubt they had a phone, just a guy walking around with a "bum bag" collecting cash at the 2 pumps that looked like they were from the original era - they probably sold me some of the leaded "super" stock they'd had in the same tank since the 1980s). Got that fixed up and that was about it in the 12 years (other than consumables)!
It's called the head valve gasket. Watch a youtube video on how to DIY and it if seems too difficult, get someone to do it. I am fairly handy with DIY but I don't think I will change it on my own.
it's called the head valve gasket
No it's not.
Exactly… the correct terminology is “rocker box ring thing”. But I am going to try “head valve gasket” at work this week and see if it takes off.
I stand corrected. Been using this term for so long never knowing it’s incorrect. I’m gonna try to copyright it so if it takes off, let me know :)
@trex: Push it on social media, and put it on a t shirt.
Back in the day, was common to see people call it a "rocket cover gasket" on forums, which was quite amusing. Not sure if that's still a thing.
Head valve gasket…what head valve gasket.
In 40 over 40 years of ding this stuff, I have never seen or heard of a head valve gasket..
Close….not, and so confusing for the poor OP, and the spares counter person… pulling his/her hair out.
I seen alot of videos and manuals calling them valve cover gasket, never heard of rocker box gasket, but will keep that in mind
I remember having issues with a Ford @ 30 years ago, it was leaking oil, and they said the Head Valve gasket (or was it just Head gasket?) needed replacing?
Different gasket. One leaking is annoying and defectable, the other can seriously impact on performance, and with modern alloy heads, lead to a need for replacement or at least resurfacing of the head.
With cast iron heads, my mate stomper just ran a bead around the outside when the old PA Vauxhall gasket blew out - improved the compression no end…
Being a V6 FWD the intake manifold will need to be removed to get at the rear tappet cover.
Not an overly complicated job… get onto YouTube for some how to's or the US Toyota Nation site which usually has well written guides on how to do such things.
Are you sure it is coming from the tappet cover?
Other things to do whilst in there? Clean the throttle body/ MAF sensor/ PCV valve and block the EGR valve with a thin bit of tin. Take time to look up how to's for those also.
Same as Head Valve Gasket… it does not have Tappets either.
Lol yes it does. Only thing that doesn't have tappets is petrol 2 stroke, and freevalve.
If we want to be really technical, "rocker cover gasket" is incorrect for this engine, as it has no rockers.
If memory serves me, aren't these engines "bucket and shim" type?? Or maybe even hydraulic buckets. Either way, they run directly off the cam…
I got my Craftsman's Certificate of Proficiency and Trademan's Licence in 1982. I use Valve Cover, Rocker Cover and Tappet Cover interchangeably.
Knock sensors and sub harness.
Was doing my own research and found out that I have to take alot of parts off, so was wondering if there was anything else worth replacing while Im replacing the gasket.
Are you ok/have you done this before? If not pay someone to do it. They'll also recommend what else needs replacing.
Too easy. Just replace the valve head o-ring.
<Ahem> Valve stem oil seal Poppet…
My 1st question: front or rear? Valve cover gasket as you say - which is actually a rubber seal, make a huge difference on what and how much else you may do.
Taking 5 other components or 20 is 'a lot of parts" as you say, depending on who is doing the job. Assume the rear bank, as front bank is done blind folded.
Apart from replacing any component in less than good condition it is a judgement call based on what a mechanic may find on the day. on par, the rear spark plugs are a bugger in situ, so unless they are relatively new, turf them.
Watch hoses, with heat & age becomes brittle which becomes air, water and or oil leaks.
Also watch the Rocker Cover hold downs are not leaking and or the cover itself has not deformed. Give everything a good pressure clean before you start and from underneath and behind the engine bay, and scrub all oiled bits during the job for a thorough inspection.
Most important 2 tricks…essential… Give the donk a treat… A good Chemical Oil Flush, run to hot, at least 1 hour of engine run before you start the work, and drain it while red hot, and…..
DO NOT TOUCH Cam shafts or gears…. special knowledge and tools ONLY will prevent engine destruction on restart..
A gummed up inside of the Rocker Cover is a nightmare to clean off the engine and rock hard cold and dry. It is also destructive to engines in general, and Cam Shaft destroying on Camry V6s…… most rear banks of V6s, but in all engines with less than perfect oil changes and working life.
Then from a Roadworthy and safety POV, check any components the oil may have leaked over down below. It may surprise you, Engine Mounts get oil soaked often, but are not Petro-Chemicial safe, and can turn to jelly over time if oil covered, as just 1 example.
Personally, REPCO have been the best for my employers and my business for over 40 years…. less Chinese rubbish than the other stores.
But, Rocker cover seals/gaskets and similar are reasonably generic and idiot proof from a quality point, so where ever they have decent stocks, average prices and are close or convenient, go the best to suit your situation.
You will never see our Trade prices, but then again your monthly account is not in the $1000's either.
This guy Camries
I think both sides leak, front side leaks very minimal, but I think the rear leaks the most.
Just torque down the bolts and monitor oil levels.
Torque down bolts and clean the surrounding area that was coated in oil and monitor for continued leaking… is what I think you meant to type :P
@pegaxs: Nah. I meant what I typed 🙂 because it will continue to leak at the gaskets.
Monitor the sump level to ensure enough oil.
@Muzeeb: You are going to notice an oil leak on the newly cleaned area way before the oil level moves on the dipstick. If you are losing 2~3ish litres of oil from a "head valve gasket™" (enough for it to show on a dipstick), re-torquing it isnt going to have any affect.
Using oil level on the dipstick is not a great way to keep an eye on leaking head valve gaskets™.
It’s not leaking oil, it’s sweating powe… I mean sweating econo… i mean sweating reliability.
Front one is a piss easy job. Rear one bit more difficult. Spark plugs and PCV valve probably. Rear sparks are a pain to get to and if you're going the rear valve cover gasket you might as well do them. Could clean the throttle body too
Yes…. the car
…
…
(Just kidding - I love Camrys - But the joke was there for the taking)