Dirty Engine Due to Bad Valve Cover Gasket?

[99BlackSandv6]

Hey guys, I like to keep my car clean. Ok I like to keep it very clean. So I was under the hood doing some stuff and I cleaned off the front of the engine with some Brakleen (spelling?) and a few days later I came back and noticed that the same area is dirty again. I checked the oil level and it was a little lower than it should have been. So my question is, has anyone had the same problem with the area on the front of the engine getting nasty and do you think it is worth replacing the valve cover gasket to keep the engine clean and happy? Has anybody replaced a 1MZFE VC gasket? If you have how long did it take and how much did it cost to get one from Toyota? A FelPro gasket kit is $21 from Advance Auto Parts.

Also the engine is dirty all the way from the bottom edge of the valve cover to the bottom of the oil pan. It's horribly nasty. I've looked at pics of engines on here and noticed that a lot of the engines are dirty in the same pattern as mine.

I appreciate any and all comments and input.

[ArizonaEagle07]

I'm going through the same thing!
I have noticed right under the valve cover there is the dirty black residue that leads all the way down towards the transmission. I also think its due to bad VC Gasket.

My other thought was oh its just dirt getting kicked up into the engine bay. That seems highly unlikely. Fortunate for me I already have the Intake Manifold & plenum off so I just may go ahead and replace the VC Gasket.

Let me know what you do!

[99BlackSandv6]

Thanks for the reply, we're definitely talking about the same thing. I'll probably take the VC off and paint it, then replace the gasket.

[mers714]

yeah mine did the same thing, just replaced the vc gaskets

[trd628]

Mine is doing the same thing. I was told by a mechanic a few years ago that I had a leaking valve cover gasket, the car had 73K on it then, I now have 183K and still leaking. I have check the oil level every few days since originally told of the leak and the oil level has never dropped. I was planning on replacing the gasket, but wasn't sure how difficult the repair would be. Anyone have an idea on the time it would take to do this?

[unbalancedwood]

Change the front valve cover gasket and you'll have one less leak...cause if you didnt know theres a rear valve cover too, but in terms of keeping your engine bay clean its the one that shows.

I bought the kit, front and rear and six spark plug rings at advanced for 20$ years back

[99BlackSandv6]

Thanks for the responses, I'll see if I can get a new valve cover and paint it nice and change out the gasket while I'm in there. Also I'm considering a few things, including a spark plug change and Intake work. So the rear might get changed too.

[SleeperSolara]

Thanks for the responses, I'll see if I can get a new valve cover and paint it nice and change out the gasket while I'm in there. Also I'm considering a few things, including a spark plug change and Intake work. So the rear might get changed too.

If you do the front valve cover, might as well do the rear and get it over wit... IMO.

[bronzemaxell]

i just did both front and rear valve cover gaskets on 1mz, along with spark plugs change, thermostat, took me a good 3 to 4 hours. front vc gasket extremely easy, rear vc is a major bitch job, i have to remove the intake plenum in order to remove the rear vc, and before taking off intake plenum, need to take off egr valve, air box, and throttle body

[supernatural]

I had the same problem. I cleaned mine with some degreaser and finally had enough and changed the valve cover gasket myself.
1. Take off the plastic cover that's held down by 2 allen bolt.
2. Take out the 3 spark plug wires and boots.
3. Just follow around the edge of the valve cover and unbolt all the bolts.
4. Pull off the valve cover and take out the old rubber gasket. Mine was old and crusty so parts of it fell off. Clean it well and put in new gasket.
5. Reverse the steps to put the valve cover back on.

For the back, you have to take off the intake plenum to get access to the valve cover. I was too lazy so I only did the front. The back does not leak for me so I guess I'm lucky. If it does, I will probably have to do it. The whole process should not take more than an hour ( I got carried away cleaning the valve cover )

If I miss any steps, can someone fill me in.