Camry Valve Cover Gasket Replacement

I have a 1998 Toyota Camry with the 4 cylinder engine. The trouble is I have noticed a leak at the rear of the engine where I can't see with light or mirror (of course). If I need to change the valve cover gasket, how is this done, there are no external mounting bolts. What else is there that could possibly leak oil?:confused:

Valve cover gasket leak is a common problem with that engine. The valve cover is held in place by the spark plug tube nuts (torque 17 ft-lbs). Download the Toyota FSM from the link in the post stickied at the top of this forum.

Brian,

I think the correct torque spec is 17 ft lbs for the spark plug tube nuts. The spark plugs themselves are 13 ft lbs.

Mike

You're right - bad memory

My cover gasket is good, does anyone know where I can get (fast) the oil pump cover plate o-ring for my 2.2 engine?

eBay might actually be faster than a dealership, but prepare to pay for overnight shipping. Some of the more decent online sites will have it in stock (Rockauto comes to mind first). Again, the faster you want it the more expensive it'll be. Good luck!

I have the same oil leak on 1997 camry coming from the right aft side of the engine cover facing car forward. That is the part of the engine next to the spark plug ignition coil. Have changed the valve cover gasket and applied a bit of sealant per the toyota repair manual at locations noted in the manual. I am still getting the same oil leak. How did you fix this problem. Was it the oil pump cover O-Ring.

PLS let me know.

sorry for the old thread revival.

the service manual says to apply 'packing' at 8 points during install. what sort of packing is this talking about?

An extra shot of sealant where the cover gasket goes up and over the camshaft sprocket, distributor, and two circular "plugs" around the cylinder head mating surface. Just a 3/8" dab is all you need.

After initial torque-down, recheck the valve cover's tube nuts after a few hundred miles. Especially when using new nuts, the rubber will seat and cause them to loosen slightly.

sorry for the old thread revival.

the service manual says to apply 'packing' at 8 points during install. what sort of packing is this talking about?

When Toyota refers to "packing" they usually mean FIPG, which is a Toyota sealant only available at Toyota dealer's parts departments. Almost any good commercial sealant available at any auto parts store should work fine.

Mike

thanks guys. sounds like RTV should do the job.

Also, should i make it a point to get new nuts, and/or grommets? Those seem harder to get than the gasket and tube seals. The nut us a 30mm, correct?

You shouldn't need new grommets unless the old ones are really hard and unpliable. You should never need new nuts.

:iceslolan

"The nut us a 30mm, correct?"

Correct.

Mike

you guys were very helpful when I had my 98 til i got rid of it 3 years ago (should have kept it), and are still great now that I need help with my girl's 2000. thanks guys!