I agree with you and I’m already working on that. This past week I created a Google docs folder to collect repair info for this car. Someone on here had a good write up with pictures, so I saved all the photos and info in my Google Drive, and I saved a couple of YouTube video links to rewatch. 😂

 

It's just I just recently worked on a beautiful 600hL that sounded and felt ok. At first (customer's words lol).
But then it just went. It was a low mileage (110ish k miles) wonderful engine.
Autopsy was horrific - someone had been under the covers and used ... FIPG sealer instead of all 8-shaped and O-shaped seals (you'll know what I'm talking about).
Severe top end oil starvation, chunks of FIPG plugging oil spray tubes and one seized cam. "Full send". New engine went in at a rather astronomical price.
Just words of warning. MUST be done BY THE BOOK.

 

Trying to stop an oil leak??

 

That's amazing that someone thought replacing those seals with RTV was even an option.......wow. Stupid way to kill a 2UR

 

Nah, failure do get correct parts and instructions. Winging it grandpa style basically. Those seals are for passages between head and cover, not outside ones.

 

Is it necessary to get OEM gaskets or does that matter?

 

I purchased the valve cover and HPFP seals and gaskets for both sides. About $400. Did the passenger side on my 2007 last Friday. I let the car sit overnight which allowed the fuel pressure to bleed off. Took all day. Watch the videos on YT and search this site for DIY instructions. Order the parts for both sides and plan on doing one side. Make sure you have the crow foot wrenches for the HPFP and a torque wrench. Get all the O-rings and seals that go between the valve cover and the cam journals. Hold the 21mm nut under the HP fuel line when loosening the 19mm fuel line.

 

I just purchased a repair manual for $26 from emanualonline site. Downloading it now (the source download speed is horrible...taking forever to download 260mb). I'm curious about what it will look like for this job. I'll report back shortly.

 

Another fuel pump problem
I am replacing the fuel pump on a 1992 sc300. While I was opening the strainer bag, a very small internal toothed washer popped out and disappeared right before my ?very eyes. Does anyone know of some where I can buy just that washer or if there in an American equivlalent. By the way does anyone know the size, I expect in mm

 

Buy OEM for most everything. Very few parts are made aftermarket for this car except cheaply made in China junk.

 

Is the manual good from that site?

 

I concur, finding a good independent guy is a gift. When you get it serviced at the dealer, the higher cost isn't the only downside. Every time you take it into a dealer, it is a crap shoot whether they will give your car to a good mechanic or not because it's a different guy every time. And all you can do is cross your fingers and hope they give your car to a guy who is good at wrenching and not just a parts-changer.