Corolla Valve Cover Gasket Replacement - Auto Repair

[@HouseCallAutoRepair]

This was probably one of the easiest valve cover replacements I've ever done!

[@jessicaperlove4715]

Thanks! This was detailed and slow. Much appreciated!!!

[@HouseCallAutoRepair]

I always try to keep in mind that any particular repair may be a first for others. My main goal, it to provide insight for anyone thinking about doing this themselves. And as always, I recommend watching as many videos on the subject as you can... you never know who might have a neat trick up their sleeve.

[@patrickmuldoon1236]

Great down to earth presentation. No nonsense and clear throughout. Cool guy. 😎

[@HouseCallAutoRepair]

I appreciate that! Thank you for watching!

[@chichan9461]

Very nice video. Great details. I will play along this video when I change my Corolla gasket. 👍👍

[@HouseCallAutoRepair]

It made a huge difference, keeping the top of the engine clean.

[@tommywalker742]

Great job! The harness you reconnected was referred to incorrectly as the fuel injector harness, other than that great video and I would have replaced the plugs while I did this job.

[@HouseCallAutoRepair]

Excellent point. (the plugs are only a few thousand miles old)

[@smusyk2859]

Great vid, just changed one today, only difference is I put a bit of rtv sealer(3cm roughly) by the timing chain side front & back where the 2 aluminum covers meet up, tightened them by hand then in a cris cross pattern with a ratchet, so far so good.

[@HouseCallAutoRepair]

Excellent! Any time you run a seal across a junction, or mating surfaces, a dab of RTV does wonders to prevent a leak as long as it's sterile clean.

[@lamonhuggin3907]

Good job valve covers are perfect and cheap at the wrecking yards.

[@HouseCallAutoRepair]

Nice and easy!

[@cj1608]

Thx for the walk through. I have an 04 that has a need. Will get to this job with 11 yr. old son, soon.

[@HouseCallAutoRepair]

In the near future I might be doing the cam tensioner gasket.... (another oil leak)

[@marthab4172]

@@HouseCallAutoRepair yes I will need your video to save it. Thank you!

[@marthab4172]

Very good mechanic video for us students. I just got a Toyota 02 . Wow , I’m gonna need it replaced and I know I’ll do it. Because I changed two of those on my v6.

[@HouseCallAutoRepair]

Excellent! Feels great to fix your own ride!

[@marthab4172]

@@HouseCallAutoRepair I made a mistake and got a wrong valve cover gasket material, from China. Going to get a Felpro gasket tomorrow. Thanks again.

[@marthab4172]

Thank you.

[@marthab4172]

@@HouseCallAutoRepair I want to ask: the rpm on it is at 200 in the morning and is it normal? It’s staying up there and comes down slow after about thirty seconds it’s at 150 after about a min . How long should I wait for the rpm to drop, or could something be wrong with variable timing solenoid? Thank you.

[@marthab4172]

@@HouseCallAutoRepair it’s an 02 Corolla S with 196.400 miles. And if it’s seats for several hours after the morning start and drive. It is also runs high when I start it after about 5 hours. Thanks

[@lampajoo]

Thanks for posting this. Very helpful.

[@HouseCallAutoRepair]

Glad you found it helpful! I've got plenty more coming, from easy stuff to "why did I get myself into this?" stuff.

[@mrfenderguy1]

No sealant in the track to keep gasket from falling out when you flip IT over. Nice video

[@HouseCallAutoRepair]

The silicone fit in the groove snugly enough to not need help.

[@carlosortiz6742]

I may have missed it but, is it okay to spray the brake cleaner on to the surface that your'e cleaning?

[@HouseCallAutoRepair]

If it doesn't leave behind any oil residue like some brands do. I choose the types that completely evaporate quickly. I use this to rinse away anything that will compromise the seal of the gasket.

[@carlosortiz6742]

@@HouseCallAutoRepair thanks man. Just wanted to double check as I'm gonna change my valve cover gasket along with my timing chain tensioner on an 06 corolla.

[@M3GAN3116]

You don't happen to know what the torque would be for a 87 Toyota Corolla valve cover ? Can't find anything about this car on internet. Thanks 👍

[@HouseCallAutoRepair]

nope, Sorry. I would imagine about 7-8 Lbs-Ft.

[@deebee3901]

How long does the RTV need to dry before you start the engine?

[@HouseCallAutoRepair]

The curing time is printed on the tube. It varies from one RTV to another. (Over night is usually a good bet) In a case such as this, it "shouldn't" matter, as it's not submerged or under a lot of pressure, however, IT IS BEST to let it cure first!

[@trapps75]

What brand break cleaner being used

[@HouseCallAutoRepair]

Walmart, by the case...

[@92Pony]

@@HouseCallAutoRepair That's why it didn't make the sound - has to be name brand! 🤣🤣

[@XxDSwaggsUp2NoGoodxX]

I replaced mine yesterday and I had a leak on the back , should I put seals to there or is the value cover just moved a bit?

[@HouseCallAutoRepair]

If you had a leak afterwards, something was out of place.

[@Jason_Phillips3679]

After replacing the gasket seal and putting on the new one do u need to apply gasket sealer before putting the top back on?

[@HouseCallAutoRepair]

Make sure the machined surface that the gasket comes into contact with, is clean and free of any grease or oils. (Use a towel, dampened with brake cleaner, to wipe it down) IF any part of that surface is a mating edge of another component, then, you would use a dab of oil resistant RTV, over that seam.

[@Jason_Phillips3679]

@@HouseCallAutoRepair I keep hearing different things. Mostly that u shouldn’t use sealant.

[@HouseCallAutoRepair]

@@Jason_Phillips3679 You shouldn't... except for where you overlap a seem. (just a small dab)

[@nomadyesmad4875]

@@HouseCallAutoRepair When using 2 small dabs on a 1999 where the mating surfaces meet. Should I give it 24 hrs. cure time like the rtv sealant suggest before driving it?

[@arthurl.9985]

What brand gasket did you use that came with the bolt seals?

[@HouseCallAutoRepair]

It was a FelPro gasket. Specifically a si!icone basket. (black factory gasket that flattens out, cracks and leaks is made kut of rubber)

[@marthab4172]

@@HouseCallAutoRepair thank you very much for teaching!

[@scoo637]

Nice video. For minor oil leaks at valve cover area (2003 Corolla 130, 000 miles) can a bottle of that blue devil sealer avoid this repair ? Many repair shops mechanics not honest want $150.

[@HouseCallAutoRepair]

I would almost never recommend ANY sealer, ever, because they often clog up more than a leak. Sometimes, sealers make new problems. Sometimes they even make problems worse. This repair is VERY EASY and very inexpensive!

[@trapps75]

How many years fixing cars

[@HouseCallAutoRepair]

Almost 40 years, as a DIY hobbiest.

[@FWDSlip]

8:32 ours (2007 Matrix) looks the same. This must be something from the factory, but I'm not sure what the purpose is.

[@HouseCallAutoRepair]

They ARE the same. It's an oil baffle for the PCV system. It was bent by shoving a funnel in it!

[@FWDSlip]

@@HouseCallAutoRepair Makes sense

[@robertsimpson7113]

So if a "reluctor" (as you called it) wheel was eating away at the oil baffle plate, where did that metal go?????? I think an oil change is in order!!!

[@HouseCallAutoRepair]

heck yeah! It got change right away! (Toyota filter too)

[@anvil4646]

What if putting gasket sealant all around the mating surfaces, does it make any harm?

[@HouseCallAutoRepair]

I would HIGHLY advise against it. Doing so will not last long. The recommended gasket, by itself will last for years if properly installed. Adding unrecommended sealer will cause premature leaks.

[@mantrajojo4163]

Heads up, that 12mm bolt is actually the bolt that also holds the plastic engine cover in place. So if you ever replaced your spark plugs or coil packs, you unknowingly loosened one of the valve cover bolts.

[@HouseCallAutoRepair]

The 12mm bolt that holds down the valve cover, also holds the engine cover on with a 10mm acorn nut. True. However, I fail to see how they have anything to do with the coils, though. The coils are held in by 10mm bolts that don't do anything else, but hold the coils. Do you mean ACCIDENTALLY turning the 12mm stud when loosening the acorn nut?

[@marthab4172]

Could

[@trapps75]

Were you self taught fixing cars or schooling

[@HouseCallAutoRepair]

Mechanical Design in Vocational school. Auto mechanics mostly self learned.

[@marthab4172]

The sealant dab is a little wet. Time to change it. And check spark plugs is a good idea!😊

[@HouseCallAutoRepair]

That old dab should always be removed, the mating surfaces cleaned, and a fresh dab right across the seam of the mating metal surfaces... let it get tacky, and then put the cover on... Checking the spark plugs too, is always a good idea! (mine were recently replaced)

[@ksajak]

Interesting I just replaced my gasket and none of my bolts had washers on them. Hmmm

[@HouseCallAutoRepair]

Somebody's been there before?

[@ksajak]

@@HouseCallAutoRepair I dont believe so. Looked like it had the original silicone on it where the timing case meets. Interesting. Is that something I should worry about? Should I get a new set of bolts for it? It seems to be just fine. 🤷‍♂️ thanks for the reply. I appreciate it. Very easy and simple job tho. Didn't even take an hour to do

[@seaperu1]

keep your silicone in he fridge ... it'll will help preserve it

[@HouseCallAutoRepair]

I'd be shot for putting "car stuff" in the fridge!

[@robertthayer5779]

Who paid for the fridge? It's at least 1/2 yours. I will also use the oven, if I have to make something grow a little.