Here's Why You NEVER MESS WITH Toyota Valve Cover Gaskets!!

[@Jmh24081987]

Please read this. Coming from a experienced Toyota technician ive never broke one. Just a suggestion, you probably don’t want to hear this but a long ten mill harden extension with an impact is how I remove those bolts. Something about an impact doesn’t break them. Learned from an older technician.

[@ryandass15]

yep yep, i learned same thing from old timer, cept for honda start and alternators with the shitty plastic terminals that break trying to remove starter/alternator cables.

[@dukedixon3192]

Thanks for the reminder. This is something I knew but forgot. It’s the repetitive hammering impact that helps break it loose compared to an increasing amount of torque that hopes to break it loose before the metal snaps.

[@dieselburner4461]

So not by hand?

[@davidgutierrez8297]

I had a 2007 crv with seized lug nut bolts. After snapping 2 studs with a breaker bar, i switched to a 1/2 inch impact, and they came out without braking.

[@jackalope9001]

I'm not sure if you are aware but there are stud removers/pullers which is what you were left with when the head of the bolt broke off. Gearwrench 41760D or Koken 4214M. Right tool for the right job, should have made easy work of that issue, with that much of the bolt/stud available to grab. Add a little heat to start with, some panther pee/penetrating oil and should be an easy fix.

[@caspa9158]

Had the exact same thing happen to me last week on my 2002 Sequoia. One passenger side stud broke, closer to front though so I had a little more room to work. Tried multiple extractors that simply would not grip. I had to drill it out with reverse drill bits slowly going up sizes, hollowed it out and then crushed it in on itself which allowed some penetrant to get in there then I screwed it out and saved the threads. I Considered the drivers side but encountered 2 bolts that I was pretty sure were gonna snap based on how they felt when I put the socket on it. It wasn't leaking so I left it for another day. These bolts pretty much snap at about 8-10 Ft lbs or torque. I was not a happy camper but it was the only solution.

[@JosiahSeif-f4v]

Had the same issue and bolt break on my 2000 tundra with the 4.7 at 237k miles, all original. Ended up drilling and tapping the hole for a larger bolt. Still holding.

[@eph3.19]

I try not to be a mean hateful vindictive man... but when I see another garage mechanic struggle, I feel a little better.

[@Werewolfmage]

could do the job 50 times and on old crap its always a gamble like that wet fart

[@ahmadghosheh3104]

Nah, it's not vindictivness. DIY work is hard without the benefit of all the tools and know how of experienced person. I feel vindicated. 😂

[@dictumfactum9468]

I appreciate that you're such a perfectionist Jimmy. I hope it doesn't drive you insane that your spark plug seals are in backwards. Toyota engines are prone to "sludging" because people believe the hype about 10,000 mile oil etc. I bought a 2002 Avalon with 200,000 miles and it is near pristine inside. CARFAX maintenance records are your friend. By the way, next time I see you at Harbor Freight let me buy you a proper hammer. Nothing screams "shade tree" like using a claw hammer anywhere near an auto engine.

[@simon0721]

It's nice to take care of your own vehicles, but in this case you messed up installing the spark plug seals the wrong way around. You should correct it asap, and buy a cheap induction heater so you can remove that broken bolt as well safely.

[@x-man5056]

Anytime you are faced with moving, removing a bunch of hoses, vacuum lines, electrical connectors, start by taking pictures. That gold color inside the head seems in my experience to be more prevalent on the PCV side. I don't think it indicates a problem. I "guess" it is some component of the motor oil that oxidizes easily but it's likely not an issue. It's NOT from getting hot because my S10, 4.3 ltr. has it and it's never been overheated. It's only had Mobil 1 synthetic it's whole life also. Chops to you Jimmy for the "threaded sleeve" idea. Doing it tapered was extra clever. It's unconventional but a low torque situation like you said. Quick and dirty fix. Here is the learning moment; Did you reinstall all your fasteners with anti-seize? That's what it is for. Literally every bolt you removed for this job, including the spark plugs should have a small dab of anti-seize. It will give you the MOST accurate torque, and next time it comes off, it will come off. Anytime you run a steel bolt into aluminum casting, you need to use Copper anti-seize to prevent galvanic corrosion. Those valve cover bolts particularly. I know someone is going to comment that they will come loose. I assure you they will not. Every fastener on the Saturn 5 engines on Apollo space craft, even the ones with locking nuts, had anti-seize on them and it vibrates at an intensity still unmatched by any other man made object, and they never came loose in operation. The other potential bad news is; I can't be sure, because you didn't show both sides of the new blue spark plug seals in the valve cover, but it looks like you put them in backwards. If the other side is open like the engine side of the seals you removed, then they are in backwards. It may work fine that way, IDK. They are there to keep debris and moisture out of the spark plug holes is all, should still function OK for that. Those seals like front crank seal, trans rear seal, differential pinion seal, many rear axle seals where you can see the spring inside them, the 'open' side goes to the inside of the crankcase, or inside of trans or diff, like the ones you removed. If someone wants to replace those stock valve cover bolts, Allen head bolts are very hard. I'd just use copper anti-seize, you'll need it for the hard bolts anyway. The bolt Jimmy showed is likely grade 5. Allen's are almost always grade 8. You still need to use anti-seize, maybe a washer. Don't ask a pro, he doesn't want to spend the modest extra time, and certainly doesn't care if it comes off easy next time for you, and likely doesn't posses the engineering knowledge to even care. Toyota (or any of them) doesn't want you working on your own stuff, and generally are not going to direct the use of it. They would rather charge you extra for repairing the broken bolt, and charge you $30 for the new bolt.

[@tiorange1235]

Taking pictures is a smart brain idea, I once got some hoses mixed while doing the rear coils and sparks plugs and winded up with water leaking outta my gas tank 🤦‍♂️, it was fine tho lol

[@x-man5056]

@@tiorange1235 New one on me but that would definitely suck. Bad part of water in your gas is that gas floats on water. The gas pickup is on the bottom of the tank. But if it was filling the tank that's a whole new world of bad joojoo. The fun.

[@malibuman8941]

Jimmy great call on that bolt. Didn't know you can find these bolts at a hardware store.. The UZ-FE engines are really great durable engines.

[@autophile-cv621]

Really good 2 parter. I don't think I would attempt that job at all. I can imagine it would be in the area of a $500-$600 job. Nice work Jimmy.

[@ChevyCitation]

Yeahhh really liking the title of this video 👍

[@colt1815]

If I absolutely couldn't get that stud out I may have gone with a nut like that. However instead of sanding down the nut I probably just would have drilled out the hole in the valve cover slightly larger so that the nut could seat all the way.

just use pressure pliers to turn the screw, or finish the process with the two nuts, you started turning and touching the top one and stopped, you just had to continue and the pressure would stop the bottom nut from turning and start to turn. turn the screw.

[@dwilley3754]

You installed the seals backwards just like the other side. When I saw this video I was hoping you read the comments and this video was gonna show you fixing it. Can’t you see the lip was facing down on the original seals? I’m sure the seal went on the tube easier this way because you don’t have to work the lip seal over the tube but it’s wrong. It’s gonna leak!

[@sat_sonic]

So many viewers commented on this the last video 😂.

[@johnaclark1]

Sorry, but the seals are installed correctly.

[@Brett235]

I just changed mine and I ended up reusing one of the main valve cover gaskets because I used the wrong one on the other side. The smaller ones came out fine and I reinstalled them correctly. I changed my spark plugs as well. No leaks thus far.

[@89G]

I feel like a little heat and a stud puller would've been a home run for you. Great video, as always!

[@ian0841]

Great video. I'm getting ready to the do the valve cover gaskets on my 3MZ-FE and I fear what I will find.

[@tiorange1235]

Depending on what application it's in, pain the ass I'm sure lol

[@GreasyStool]

Ah, Yes! Changing spark plugs on 2016 Tacoma TRD Sport. Some of the coil packs were a PIA to unplug. I'm sure a shop would have just busted and replaced them. I just soaked them with WD-40 and waited a bit. Didn't break any! Shop quoted me 650+ bucks for a spark plug change. So many brackets and hoses that get in the way!

[@rollandsicard1628]

Suggestion: Use copper anti-seize on valve cover hold down bolts and threads of spark plugs. Future maintenance may be far easier.

[@C-ME3]

Good job Jimmy! Way to improvise. 👍

[@nordicpride9708]

I’ve done countless 2UZFE valve covers on tundras, 4Runners and GX470’s and I’ve never broken a bolt or had any issues. Think you need to stick to working on chevys there dude.

[@canteen53guy]

Way to go Jimmy😊

[@hiromiya3365]

Jimmy, get a Mapp gas and heated up then put a jam nut and then remove it, just remember the aluminum cools really quick.

[@dane5896]

I was watching an other Toyota video, and the mechanic said the original spark plugs have three dots on the tip, from the factory. I would use some anti seize on the bolts.

[@Jimmyky77]

Jimmy I wish I could get you to do mine, because it's still Fresh in your Mind 🧐 I would pay you of Course!☺️

[@broletsdiginasmr5366]

Can you do video of that 4Runner brake flush? thanks man!

[@ED-ti5tc]

I love fel pro gaskets. The only think ill put on my 98 Chevy intake. Lasts way longer that oem. Have you and your wife been driving the 4Runner? If do, how fo you like it in comparison to your little gmc? Great video as always!

[@midnight-xpress1136]

If you used a pen torch and hit the aluminum area around the bolt, most likely would have help to losen it. I had this happen with a 89 mazda 3.0l head water intake flange. The bolt head broke, hit the aluminum head with heat and 1/4-20 size stud came out with vice grips.

[@broletsdiginasmr5366]

Those valve cover gaskets bolts really come loose because of the bolts rubber gaskets. I have 2003 V8 4Runner and those bolts was loose too when I did the Valve Cover Gaskets.

[@toyotabrony]

Definitely worth the money eh to buy used 4th gen 4Runner, and the easy V8 maintenance ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

[@dt4542]

Heat Heat and More Heat... make it glow, then try with vice grips.

[@Mike-Capz83]

you should add some seafoam high mileage to the oil to get rid of some varnish! drive 300 miles then change oil!

[@cndream1]

What about opening the hole ever so slightly on the valve cover or put a bushing on the new "nut" so that the bushing presses on the valve cover to push it down. Otherwise you could have tried heating the area and the old bolt to see if that would break it loose

[@walterphillips9950]

Did you apply a heat gun to the bolt after putting in you double nuts?

[@robertmoore4637]

I clean my engine with 1/2 a quart of transmission fluid a day or even a week of driving before the oil change. Better keep checking those LBJs and stay up on timing belt changes every 100,000 miles and you'll be happy.

[@dukedixon3192]

Just in case you didn’t notice he put the spark plug seals in the wrong way. Always pay extra or attention or take pictures upon disassembly so you don’t have to guess.

[@cobannie]

Yup! I did that on my Camry like 10 years ago. Whoops! Oil got all over in the spark plug / coil channel. LoL. Thankfully it was a v6, I did 3 on one side, put it together and fired up the engine to see if I did things right. Nope. LoL. Took off the other cover and saw my mistake too. Removed and flipped all 3 and it sealed right up!

[@Lukediah]

pretty much everything under the hood on a toyota is 10 12 or 14, you do see 17 and 19 on the bigger things like suspension and harmonic ballancer bolts.

[@itsdoncartagena6485]

I just did my gasket replacement today and it seem like its lose from factory

[@broletsdiginasmr5366]

That driver side is looked dirtier because of the PCV is in that side. Extra combustion gases goes through there.

[@THISLOVETHISHATE99]

AGAIN U PUT THE SPARKPLUG SEAL IN BACKWARDS did you not see that the original are the correct way they do not seal from the top surface they are DESIGNED TO SEAL WITH PRESSURE OMG i wouldnt trust u to rebuild a 2 stroke ever you would litteraly install the crank seal backward and wonder why is it not running right DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU SEE ON THE INTERNET!

[@dwilley3754]

Yep absolutely installed the seals backwards. I was hoping he would see the comments from the first video and fix it but he didn’t. How can you not see the lip faced down on. The factory seals. The reason you saw people doing it that way is because it goes on easier because you don’t have the lip to try to get over the tube. It’s still wrong though. They are gonna leak!

[@johnaclark1]

The seals are installed correctly. Done many and while he did some things I wouldn't do (the broken bolt issue,) he did install the plug tube seals correctly.

[@obs_vell439]

Tubes are on correctly lip faces down

[@tjmexico5453]

Haha i like that jimmy rig 👍👍

[@AaronMartinCOOLVIDEO]

Hell , I just tightened my back down and it stopped to oil leaking. check in next week for quick mechanic tits......

[@Joshoptimus]

40 inch lbs definitely not enough....the covers are metal so- I always worry about leakage with all them heat cycles and such....clever fix on the seized bolt 🔩

[@cjbrightly8216]

I just did this job Everything is done and now it won’t start will start for a second and then stop. Let me know if you know anything or anyone who does. I might have broken one of the censor connectors on the drivers side right by the oil filler

[@n2cable]

ok-so how did it run after your fixes?🤔

[@73SDR]

If you're going to get new valve cover bolts, get some 10.9s. 8.8s are not a high grade bolt.

[@clinthulsey6837]

why don’t you clean the valve cover and replace the plugs since your in there?

[@ahmadghosheh3104]

Those plugs and coils are 100,000 over due.

[@carnold.knowledge]

The title should be: “Why Jimmy NEVER MESSES with Toyota Valve Cover Gaskets”.

[@ramonpagan695]

Hey it works

[@robertmailhos8159]

You definitely got a lot of work to replace the valve cover gasket on the driver side jimmy 😧

[@k4piii]

Best way to remove those is to weld a nut or something like it

[@moseshancock3336]

Yes if u have to get the job done with what you have to get toy back on the road 😊😊

[@zoefaith120]

They meant to last forever. ..... i guess the bolts are super !

[@rikkitikkitavi3118]

Just a note: try freezing a seazed nut, bolt,or stud as opposed to heat. It got a few associates out of a jam. Use your science lessons,,,

[@arthurdelgado112]

he should try Xterra

[@gemeinschaftsgeful]

Looks like owner didn't change the oil often. Engine internals look way too dirty.

[@mustangmanx]

Can call it sleeve nut, binding post, sex bolt, mating bolt. All correct.

[@oldtimer6528]

A little blue loctite would help.

[@olov244]

after working on a 2gr-fe, I HATE toyota products. their bolts(other than heads) are such crap. so many of them just break with any kind of force and they have no rust protection. I'm selling it for a loss as soon as I fix it

[@tiorange1235]

I have no idea why your sparkplugs were loose lol

[@hrcia6123]

It always replace the bolt

[@jeepinintexas6215]

That's like a Chicago screw

[@monkeyking-self-proclaimed7050]

Foooook! I knew I shouldn't watch this.

[@dmironyuk]

"it's always that one furthest away & most difficult to reach, it's all about positivity pal 😉" 😄

[@CACressida]

You installed the plug seals backwards. Maybe It'll seal lol

[@chrispeterson1247]

spark plug seal went in upside down lol