Rear valve cover gasket replacement - How?

[Jeffrey Olson]

I've got my 99 6 cylinder SE in having the timing belt replaced. The mechanic just called and said for $425 he would replace the valve cover gaskets and spark plugs, front and rear. I figured this is something I can do as it involves removing the plenum and valve covers. Does anyone have step by step instructions on what to do for the rear, - anything to watch out for?

Thanks

Jeff...

[TRDSleeper]

I recently replaced the gasket for my front valve cover but I didn't do the back. I guess $425 for labor is not bad for both front and rear gasket job. Replacing the rear gasket should be exactly the same as the front except you have to remove the air intake plenum on top. Unfortunately there's no tutorial made on replacing the gasket yet.

[akora12]

Here's King's writeup from TN.
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showt ... p?t=157503

[chullen1]

If you don't want to mess up the rear valve cover it is a great price. I have done a few and it takes about a good 2 or 3 hours for both valve covers with the rear being harder. So your paying mainly for labor and parts, it is actually a good price considering he said he would do the spark plugs too.

[Jeffrey Olson]

I found the thread from toyota nation and a couple other comments on doing the rear valve cover gasket. On the surface, it didn't sound that difficult - remove the plenum, the wiring harness from the valve cover, the valve cover, the studs off the valve cover when you put it back, the wiring harness...

I could picture it in my head. I have the tools - I think...


The bottom line was I have the money and I get paid for driving my car - 55 cents a mile on my job. I just got a check for 1200 dollars for six weeks of travel, and I figured - let the pro do it.


Altogether - timing belt, water pump, main and camshaft seals, tensioner, a couple bearings I'm not totally able to say what they are, the serpentine belt, the two gaskets and six spark plugs - the estimate is $1325.

I've never spent anywhere that much on repairs for a car. That's more than all the cars I've bought before the Solara cost!!!

But I've got 168,000 miles on it. It runs like a dream - 26 miles per gallon in cold weather, 30 - 33 in warm weather. I have some rattles when I hit potholes. I expect after this, I'll get another 90,000 miles with no maintenance other than fluid changes, the AC compressor (which I have off ebay) and maybe other peripherals.

Toyotas rule...

[~SolaRaSpeed~]

sounds like a deal to me, as long as you trust the mechanic doing the work. I would just make sure the parts being used are at least as good as what toyota would use so that you will get another 90k without a whole lot of work. I would also have them check valve clearance if you give them the go ahead with the gaskets. have them replace spark plug tube seals, water transfer hose, spark plug wires. fluid wise, look into doing that now: coolant, brake fuild, and transmission. good luck