Valve Cover Seals Help Please

iMod

iMod

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Oct 9, 2007
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Hi everyone I just bought a 1988 Supra 2 days ago and less then 24 hours later it quit running. From what I've read about in the last day or so, I'm pretty sure it's the valve cover seals. Does anyone have any tutorials on how to change them. Also maybe a tool list. I'd really appreciate any help anyone can give me.

I LOVE THAT CAR SO MUCH!!! I wanna see it running again. I got it for $1500 and it's pretty much brand new other than the valve cover seals messing up. I'll put up pics as soon as I get a chance.
 
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AJ'S 88NA

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Jul 26, 2007
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You should be able to tell if it is, just pull off one of the plug wires and if it's dripping in oil then it could be your problem. You have to clean out the recesses with turkey baster, rags, paper towels, etc. Changing them is easy just check the TSRM. There was a few post on the same problem not to long ago. There is a thread at the bottom of this page.
Welcome to the club by the way.
 
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AJ'S 88NA

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You get enough oil down in there it will quit running. That's why I ask him to check the plug wires, if it's not that then.......................
 
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AJ'S 88NA

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#3 and # 4 are probably somewhat soaked as the oil tends to run from the front to the back and the VC seals are probably leaking more at the back. The VC seals are not too much. Hopefully after you clean everything out and change the seals it will solve your problem. Check out your plug wires as they might need changed if the previous owner didn't keep an eye on that area and oil will accelerate the break down of the wires.
 
BlackMKIII

BlackMKIII

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Jan 6, 2007
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It's a bit of a PITA. Your best bet is to go to Toyota and ask for "everything I need to change my valve cover gaskets." This should include:

A. 2 Valve Covers Gaskets (11213-42020)
B. 12 Valve Cover Seal Washers (90210-07001)
C. Y-pipe Gasket (17176-16020) <---IIRC

Also, you should buy a set of NGK wires (NGK # TX07) and NGK spark plugs (BCPR5EP-11 or 2097) from your local parts house. Carquest Auto Parts usually stocks both NGK numbers.

Welcome and good luck :bigthumb:
 
iMod

iMod

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Oct 9, 2007
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I've written down a list for next time I go to the Toyota dealership. So far I've got:

-2 valve cover gaskets (11213 - 42020)
-12 valve seal washers (90210 - 07001)
-Y pipe gasket (17176 - 16020)
-NGK Wires (NGK # TX07)
-NGK Spark Plugs (BCPR5EP-11 or 2097)
-Valve Cover Sealant

Am I missing anything? I'd like to start working on it and not have to make too many trips back to the toyota dealership or auto parts place.
 
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iwannadie

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Jul 28, 2006
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iMod said:
I've written down a list for next time I go to the Toyota dealership. So far I've got:

-2 valve cover gaskets (11213 - 42020)
-12 valve seal washers (90210 - 07001)
-Y pipe gasket (17176 - 16020)
-NGK Wires (NGK # TX07)
-NGK Spark Plugs (BCPR5EP-11 or 2097)
-Valve Cover Sealant

Am I missing anything? I'd like to start working on it and not have to make too many trips back to the toyota dealership or auto parts place.
Click to expand...

Get the sealant at napa, its called the Right-Stuff. Comes in a cheezwizz style can with nozzle on it. The stuff aint cheap though but from what Ive been told its worth it over any other type of sealant. You just need a tiny bit of it too as shown in the tsrm.
 
suprarx7nut

suprarx7nut

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Nov 10, 2006
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BlackMKIII said:
High temp RTV Black Silicone works, too.

iMod - You're better off getting the plugs and wires from a parts store, NOT Toyota.
Click to expand...

x2 on everything this gentleman has said :)

Changed mine a while back as well. I forgot the washers though, :(

You may want to also consider getting bolts to replace the crappy-most-likely-stripped-screws that hold the VC's on.

M6 size flange bolt, thread pitch 1.00. Should run you 5-9 bucks for all 12 required.


GOOD LUCK AND WELCOME!!!!! :)
 
iMod

iMod

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Oct 9, 2007
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I went and took a look at the engine today. There's a lot more wrong with it then I thought. There's a bunch of nuts and bolts missing here and there, that I didn't notice till today. A few hoses missing. I can only imagine what else would break if after I fix the valve cover seals. I've decided to just get a new engine.

I have a friend that owns a euro car shop. He works on Ferarri's and BMW's and all that kinda stuff but he said he'd help me fix the Supra and put an engine in it. I helped him pack up some of his stuff when he changed shops so he owes me kinda.

Anyways I was wondering where I would find the most reliable 7MGE engine for as cheap as possible cos I'm broke close to broke.
 
suprarx7nut

suprarx7nut

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Nov 10, 2006
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uh.. I'd say if your car doesn't run and is missing hoses and parts like that, you should most definitely try to get those hoses in place and see if it runs then.

You could spend 600-800 on another motor or 100 on necessities like hoses and bolts that you'll probably NEED to buy new anyways....

Seems like a big jump to go from replacing valve cover gaskets to swapping the motor.

Remember, a second motor could just as easily have problems that will need attention.


My .02
 
iMod

iMod

New Member
Oct 9, 2007
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Centralia/Chehalis
suprarx7nut said:
uh.. I'd say if your car doesn't run and is missing hoses and parts like that, you should most definitely try to get those hoses in place and see if it runs then.

You could spend 600-800 on another motor or 100 on necessities like hoses and bolts that you'll probably NEED to buy new anyways....

Seems like a big jump to go from replacing valve cover gaskets to swapping the motor.

Remember, a second motor could just as easily have problems that will need attention.


My .02
Click to expand...

yea I'm not sure on what to do. I'm worried that I'll fix the valve cover gaskets and something else will break. I'm saying that because the guy who owned it last obviously didn't know the difference between a monkey wrench and a monkey's ass. If he lost a bunch of hoses and bolts that I CAN see, there's no telling what's missing or broken that I CAN'T see. It's just frusterating cos my budget is kinda low...ok ok really low.

On top of that I can't find any info that goes step by step on specifically changing the valve cover gaskets. They showed me the TSRM and that didn't help cos I've never had anyone show me how to do mechanics stuff. I can do the basics like changing spark plug wires and alternators, but I need specific info when it comes to stuff like valve gasket cover seals. A lot of those pics in the TSRM are just a mystery to me. if I had actual pics of a car engine being torn apart durring a valve cover seal gasket then I could manage just fine. I'm a welder/fabricator not a mechanic.
 
8

87mgte

87 Turbo Targa
Sep 9, 2007
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Sequim
iMod said:
I went and took a look at the engine today. There's a lot more wrong with it then I thought. There's a bunch of nuts and bolts missing here and there, that I didn't notice till today. A few hoses missing. I can only imagine what else would break if after I fix the valve cover seals. I've decided to just get a new engine.

I have a friend that owns a euro car shop. He works on Ferarri's and BMW's and all that kinda stuff but he said he'd help me fix the Supra and put an engine in it. I helped him pack up some of his stuff when he changed shops so he owes me kinda.

Anyways I was wondering where I would find the most reliable 7MGE engine for as cheap as possible cos I'm broke close to broke.
Click to expand...

don't swap it just because of a few parts missing. 7m's are pretty durable aside from the head gaskets as i'm sure you've heard, so just replace the screws/bolts and hoses and see what happens. my car has a few screws loose too[hahaha metaphor], but they're only on the 3000 pipe and not really needed. 80% of my hoses were also rock hard, so i had to replace a lot of em.
 
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