venomous

My valve cover gasket bolts were VERY loose. Like not even finger tight loose. So I very gently tightened them and one of them snapped. Any ideas guys and gals? TIA.

Edit - its the one that's front and near center by the exhaust manifold. I can see the bottom of the snapped bolt on the underside but not enough to get pliers around it.

ASG14

iTrader: (1)

Take the cover off completelty then you can liekly unscrew the piece by hand. Most people do not realize just how little those bots need to be tightened. Many of my friends have snapped those, so don;t feel bad.

venomous

Thanks ASG14, that's a good idea. The gasket was leaking a little so I thought I'd tighten them. I am so shocked at how loose they were. Seriously, I could start tightening them with my fingers. That can't be normal. I've read the torque spec is 6ft/lbs, is that correct?

ASG14

iTrader: (1)

69 in/lbs to be exact in manual for my '96. I THINK yours is the same even though it's the VVT-i version of the motor. I personally use a torque wrench. 1st time I did it I had to call a couple friends because I thought being that low was a mistake, lol.I think at this poitn though, you may want to repalce the gasket itself. you also need to put some RTV (silicone sealant) on a few spots when you take the valve cover off.

venomous

Cool, thanks for the good tips. I was going to take it off later this summer anyway to inspect for sludge. Who makes the OEM gasket? Is it Beck/Arnley?

ASG14

iTrader: (1)

I'm honestly not sure who makes the Toyota Valve Cover Gaskets. I know a lot of the other parts, but not that, sorry.

venomous

What gasket would you recommend if not OEM? Fel-pro and Beck/Arnley are the two that I have seen for sale mostly.

ASG14

iTrader: (1)

Personally, for THESE I go OEM. I've used a couple aftermarket valve cover gaskets and they didn't sit as flush as the OEM ones. There are dealers online that sell them discounted, I think one is a sponsor here. For the RTV (Silicone), I liek to use Toyota FIPG (part # 00295-00103). It;s around $13.

For most of the T-Belt/Water Pump related stuff I use Aftermarket quality parts like Aisin (OEM Toyota company). I just always have a thing with seals/gaskets, I liek to use OEM for those.

venomous

You are a good man. Thanks a bunch, I will go OEM for sure.

ASG14

iTrader: (1)

Just send me a PM if you have any other questions you think I can answer. I am sometimes slow to respond though as I work long hours sometimes and most my free time goes to modding cars, haha. .

RandomTech

When puttin new gaskets on:

Put FIPG at any joint or corner the gasket goes after cleaning the old stuff off. Ex: the cam hump by the cam sprocket. You'll see where they put the grey RTV from the factory - put it there

When tightening the bolts down, go around 3 times with the torque spec. The gasket will compress and the bolt will be loose.

LeX2K

Ishino makes the valve cover gaskets for these cars.

venomous

Thanks everyone. On a side note, why is torque spec so low? You would think it would be a little higher, especially given to how often the valve covers start leaking. What was Toyota thinking?

RandomTech

Stuff leaks, esp. old stuff. I don't think the torque spec is to blame.