How to Replace the Valve Cover Gaskets, Spark Plugs, & Spark Plug Wires on a 2002 Toyota 4Runner

Easy to follow step-by-step guide on how to replace your valve cover gaskets, spark plugs, and spark plug wires. It is quite a long job but it’s more tedious than hard, there was roughly two and a half hours of footage for this job. It seems like a lot but don’t let that scare you, it’s just tedious and memorizing where all the nuts and bolts go! If you have any questions, drop them in the comments below and I’ll get back to you when I can.
Tools Used:
-Door trim and panel remover.
-Pick.
-Long nose plier.
-Plier.
-3/8in ratchet.
-Two different lengths of 3/8in extensions.
-5/8in spark plug socket.
-14mm socket.
-Two different lengths of 12mm sockets.
-Two different lengths of 10mm sockets.
-1/4in ratchet.
-Two different lengths of 1/4in extensions.
-10mm flex socket.
-10mm socket (standard).
-14mm wrench.
-12mm wrench.
-10mm wrench.
-14mm wrench with a swivel socket.
-Two different sizes of flat tip screwdrivers.
-Brake clean.
-Spray adhesive.
-Anti seize.
-Silicone spray.
-Dielectric grease.
-Silicone.
Parts Used:
-Valve cover gasket kit.
-Valve cover grommets.
-Spark plugs wires.
-Cam plugs.
-Upper intake gaskets.
-Spark plugs.
-PCV valve.
-PCV valve grommet.
As always make sure you subscribe, give me the thumbs up, and share with your friends & family! Thanks for watching, aloha!

[@eljefeslash]

Great instructions! This is some of the best camera work I've seen on this repair - great zooming and talking through the steps along the way. Thank you!

[@user-fl3ql2eu2m]

Probably the best all around video on mechanic instruction I've seen. From the break down of the tools and parts then to a thorough showcase of the job beginning to end... not to mention no self vamping that's running wild in most videos. Thanks for your work

[@maisyray]

The best video on KZbin for this. Watched this 3x getting ready to tackle next weekend. Thank you

[@RoysGarage808]

Let me know how it goes, and thanks for watching 🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽

[@etburkentine455]

Great tutorial. Concise and to the point. I really liked everything about it. Just tackled this over the weekend on my 2000 T4R. Second time around with 280k. Thanks for your time and consideration. Great job!

[@cfmill74]

Heck of a job there! I just did mine with 464,000 miles on it and the cams were clean as a whistle! :)

[@tb-qo5us]

This video helped me going from only changing my oil, to being able to accomplish this very involved task. Couldn't have done it without your clear instructions and great video angles. Thanks again!

[@RoysGarage808]

Glad I could help and thanks for watching 🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽

[@villadelvilla1489]

​@@RoysGarage808 What Brand you recommend for cover gasket thanks

[@adkjack54]

THANKS Roy. Your video was a huge help to me. My 1999 4Runner now has clean, non-leaking valve covers and fresh plugs +wires! Only 184,000 on my Runner. Many miles to go!

[@georgeaeroeng]

Thank-you so much. I have the Haynes manual but this video was the key to giving me the confidence to do it. This particular job showed the truth that 'perfection is doing a lot of little things well".

[@stevegannonhandmade]

Thanks for this amount of detail! Getting ready to do mine for the first time and I’ve watched many videos. You are the only one to use dielectric grease and anti seize. Anti seize is a must for many of us in the rust belt

[@joemoore4027]

Great simple video on a job I'm going to tackle soon. Nice to see someone who puts the hardware back into their holes and does not have to find them later to put back on ! That's an old school trick. Good to see someone using antiseize on the hardware bolts ! Nice job ! Thank you.

[@benzoil0453]

Very Nicely done. You showed great detail and cleared up a couple questions I had. My parts are on the way for my 97 4runner now. Once I finish that job I'll be doing the same procedure on my 2000 Tacoma. I will also be taking this opportunity to replace all my vacuum lines with silicone lines instead of rubber. Thanks again 👍

[@bernardzertuche7376]

Thank you for a very descriptive procedure in removing valve covers. It sure helps to watch how other like yourself tackle this kind of a job

[@mastadun3164]

you're amazing, great step by step video, gives me some confidence!

[@RoysGarage808]

Thanks for watching 🤙

[@CharlieCiampa]

Thank you, now I need to get to it! Scary! I haven’t worked on vehicles in 25 years! Again thank you

[@Coolchange447]

Roy You Have The Best Comprehensive Breakdown And Reassemble Video On This Procedure For This 3.4L Toyota Tacoma , Now I Have The Confidence To Do Thank You Braddah And Alohaz From Kauai Sincere Regards Rollin 🤙🤙🤙

[@DocFortyThree]

Thanks for this tutorial. Great camera work.

[@davdevr]

Thanks Roy keep the videos coming!

[@RoysGarage808]

Trying, thanks for watching 🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽

[@kalaipaa]

Wow!!! That was a big job!!! Thanks for the video of something I would never attempt on my own!! Hahaha

[@hoghopper]

Great tutorial!

[@windowlizard]

Such a good video, what a legend 🙏 thanks roy 👊🤙🍍

[@sbernardo8276]

I like the adhesive spray idea!

[@RoysGarage808]

It’s a definite “hack” that I religiously live by, there’s just way too much stuff that gets in the way while putting it back together and it’s one less thing to worry about this way. A lot of people are alarmed by me using it but it’s nothing to worry about, doesn’t affect the car at all. Thanks for watching 🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽

[@stevanrose7439]

I want to do this job on my 2002 Tacoma and have been wondering how to keep the new gaskets in place while putting the covers back and the spray adhesive looks like it should work fine. I’m gonna do it to. Thanks for your video very informative. 👍👍👍👍👍

[@stevanrose7439]

Have watched several of these videos trying to pick up tips. And you have gave me one only you have addressed. And that is putting some silicone on the cam caps. I would rather put some on and know it won’t leak then put this all back together and find out there is a leak at those places. I did buy the Toyota sealer and I hope it prevents any leaks.

[@mechanicmari2062]

Great video 👍👍

[@BJMiguel3]

I have never seen someone spray adhesive on the valve cover gasket 🤔 interesting. Good informative video uncle 🤙🏾

[@LezgoBrandon]

I am pretty sure my mechanic didn’t do all this on my Toyota 4 runner. Not the first or second time. And that’s unfortunate that most mechanics take advantage of people. The leak is still there even thou they’re claiming they fixed it. This video literally makes me want to do it myself.

[@RoysGarage808]

Thanks for watching 🤙🤙🤙

[@LezgoBrandon]

@@RoysGarage808 your video was one of the best I’ve watched in the past about the valve cover gasket. No distractions from different directions. Sometimes people just feel like showing off their pets and kids even thou they’re talkin bout a car issue.

[@RoysGarage808]

Thank you🤙🤙🤙

[@LezgoBrandon]

@Goesdeep unfortunately they found 3 different leaks. Ended up changing everything: new water pump, new hoses, seals ect… Spent about $1200 :(

[@DocFortyThree]

I agree with you. Most mechanics get commissions aside from getting normal wage pay. They did my valve covers about 4 years ago and the passenger side is leaking. I'm not a mechanic and did not know what to look for. After viewing videos on valve cover gaskets I confirmed that I have a leak and in looking at the bolts with grommets I'm sure they over tightened them and definitely not to torque specs. As the old saying goes, if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. Thanks Roy for this video. I now have the confidence to tackle this job on my 2001 Tacoma.

[@jcarano75]

Woooooow woooooow great mechanic I learn a lot tk. Sr.

[@danmm7]

Great Video!! Super helpful. Thank you! What is the torque spec for the valve cover bolts?

[@omartaleb2964]

Great video ! I have a question i had a check engine p303 after changing the gasket what the problem could be !?

[@nicksandoval4618]

Excellent job your a grand master 🙌🏽how long does the silicon have to dry before reassemble? Also is there a torque specification for the cam cover cap? And lastly will the contact spray be ok on oem gaskets? Thank for for your help 🙌🏽

[@drommej]

Thanks for this video I'm going to do mine 2000 4 Runner don't looks to hard to do it

[@FredTheLutinoCocatiel]

Roy you have patience of Jobe. I'm really glad everything worked on this job no leaks🖒 Did you use new coil packs and what brand of spark plugs were those NGK?

[@RoysGarage808]

I didn’t replace the coils, only the wires. You can use NGK but I used (and recommend) Denso. Thanks for always watching 🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽

[@CharlieCiampa]

@@RoysGarage808 Should we change the coils? I have over 150,000 on Toyota tundra 3.4 2001

[@jesseserrano6520]

Great video.👍👍 Just doing this job today. What i notice is that theirs a more of a gap on the driver side then the passenger side. Everything lined up the second attempt on driver side. Will it be fine?

[@cajunag]

Great video. I definitely feel more confident that I could do it myself vs. paying the thousands I was quoted. The only thing I would change about how you did it would be to have swapped out the 4runner you did it on with mine so I wouldn't have to worry about it anymore! I really appreciate that you didn't skip over any steps, even when you moved to the driver-side valve cover and the steps were the same as the passenger-side. One question: how in the world do you keep track of all the bolts and where they go when you put it back together? I did see that you re-attached some temporarily in the place they go, but what about all the others?

[@larryberger6878]

Excellent video and a great resource. One question…. Do you tighten the valve cover and intake bolts to any torque spec?

[@SDsailor7]

Yes. They have torque specs. It's in the book.

[@tombarton1]

How many hours did it take you? Thanks and great videos!

[@sergopradoss1983]

Здравствуйте, подскажите чем вы смазывали фишки форсунок и свечи зажигания?

[@britothegreat5079]

Hey uncle what island you stay on ? I got a 99 4Runner on Oahu and a CRV on Big Island and looking for a good mechanic if your not too busy 🤙

[@samcorpuz74]

How much you charge for that tune up uncle? I like how you did em.🤙🏽

[@CharlieCiampa]

I wish I could do this job a fast as you. Lols

[@RoysGarage808]

It took A LOT longer than the video made it seem! 🤣 Thanks for watching 🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽

[@keanucabral8625]

wassupp uncle you still work on trucks? I need you too do my 03 Toyota Tacoma lmk!🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@UFGator1972]

You forgot to show us how to remove the camshaft plugs next to the radiator. I do them when I change the timing belt.

[@Sanneti2012]

How much this job cost?

[@williamb2854]

Removing and resealing the 2 rear caps, is very important. That is an area where it leaks oil... ASK ME HOW I KNOW.

[@jron5113]

That’s why I’m here. I can’t wait for the bottom of my truck to not be splattered with oil.

[@williamb2854]

@@jron5113 Not sure why they do not include these two caps plugs, in the valve cover gasket kit?? Hope this helps...I love KZbinrs helping one another...

[@jron5113]

@@williamb2854 yeah, this one of the better videos, although I’m not sure if he mentioned torque specs, but those are easily found. I actually paid a couple of years ago to have my gasket replaced and it’s still leaking. It definitely seems like it’s coming from the rear of engine where cap plugs are located.

[@williamb2854]

@@jron5113 Ron..you will need to clean the area good , with brake cleaner...then apply a small amount of gasket sealer on both cap edges. No more oil...dripping from the back of the engine...worked for me.

[@jron5113]

@@williamb2854 thanks got everything, hopefully will tackle it this week.

[@haniko808cero6]

Unko wea u live so can do my 4th Gen 4runner

[@RoysGarage808]

I appreciate that but my schedule is jam packed as is, thanks for watching 🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽

[@haniko808cero6]

@@RoysGarage808 rahja dat unk. Mahalos for da response.. ALOHA & take care 🤙

[@haniko808cero6]

Unk. After I went off roading with my 4th gen 4runner. I put it back to 2wd but when I drive on the highway the 4wd didn't disengage..is still stuck at 4H.. What could be the issue

[@juan23wt3w5]

1:44

[@jaywholoveseveryone1721]

I wished you would have slowed and shown which way the tube seals go in. Which side goes towards the inside of intake/engine and which side goes towards up.