I think I may need a new valve cover gasket . I get a oil burn smell when I get out of the van after a long drive. No signs of a leak after it's parked in the drive .
Hoping this can be remedied easily . It was down about 3/4 of a quart after about 3 weeks of driving .Really want to keep this van a long time and get it in tip top
shape . Any suggestions before I crawl into or under it are appreciated . Best Matt
Yeah, probably valve cover gasket. This is a common issue. There's an exhaust shield that sits right below the valve cover. It acts as a gutter and directs the valve cover oil drips into another heat shield. That shield has a hole drilled in the middle and allows the oil to drip directly onto the collector area of the header. Instant recipe for burning oil smell after a hard drive.........especially if the van is parked with the nose facing up-hill. Tim
I've had three Previas now, and they've all had this issue. We discussed it in this thread.
After replacing the molded gasket and sealing Toyota FormedInPlaceGasket (p/n 00295-00103), they're both holding. The O-ring under the distributor is part of the fix as well, but don't use FIPG there. I've also found that the grommet and hose that connect the PVC valve to the valve cover tend to go hard, too, so make those part of your parts list.
Previa #3 arrived in my driveway a week ago. For a few days I had three-bean salad, but sold my first to a friend. Number three has already left a small oil-spot under the header, so at least the gutter is working as designed.
Yesterday I took delivery of a JDM engine for #3. It's header is different - I guess due to different regulations for the Japanese market, and although the same gutter/heat shield is attached to the underside of the head there is no drip catcher on the exhaust collector. There is black RTV protruding from under the valve cover gasket, and no sign of leakage.
I am a bit rusty and working without a manual ....looking for one on Ebay . So you guys say replace the gasket with the FIPG from toyota ? Or add that to
a new gasket ? Also I have the cover off but need a bit of instruction about removing the distributor to put in the O-ring ?? Cleaned off all old residue and I really think I may be the first to do this to this Previa . In fact the carpet was hard to get out and I had taken it in and out of my other van so many times it was a snap .Any links ,photos , or advice is appreciated. I have another ride so I am blessed to be able to take it slow and do it right . Thanks and Best to all Matt
The FIPG is just to enhance the performance of the rubber gasket. For the most part the rubber gasket goes on dry (just put a tiny bit of FIPG in the trouble spots). I usually use a toothpick to put a small amount in the tight bends on each side of the distributor port, then again where the half moon plug sits on the front of the gasket surface. I just did a quick search to find this has been discussed before: http://www.toyotavantech.com/forum/s...e+cover+gasket. Don't be afraid to use the search feature (upper right corner of each page). Tim
PS: Here's a couple of factory service manuals on Amazon for under $70: http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listi...condition=used
Thanks Tim , I am a bit nervous about pulling out the distributor but plan on marking it good first .I had read a thread on another site and it really sounded like the guy just used the FIPG and nothing else ,probably a bad idea. Will keep you posted, going to replace a few other things while I got it open.
You'll need a timing light to check/adjust the timing when you're done. If you haven't done it before it's probably a good idea get the manual 1st. Tim
I'm going under and in .....hope I don't get dizzy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDA4-H42d0w
Got under it after doing the valve cover gasket and decided to take your advice about waiting on the manual,found one on ebay for 94 and I don't think it's too different although mine has the SC.
to do that O ring I would really like to have it on ramps or a lift .Maybe I will get lucky for a while and all it needed was the gasket
Last edited by PrivatePrevia; 05-13-2013 at 06:26 PM.
You won't be sorry when you get the factory manual. Toyota factory manuals are the best I've seen for any of the cars I've worked on. The electrical volume is indispensable if you're puzzling out any sparky issues, as well.
My parts list for this job, in addition to the gasket:
90099-14091 Distributor O-ring
12261-76010 PCV hose
12204-15022 PVC valve
90480-18001 PCV Grommet
Thanks I appreciate it . I got most of that list covered .I am just phoning a friend to see if I can use his lift to do the job on.
I have not smelled oil burning all day so I may be ok with just the valve cover gasket for now .I let it dry for about 14 hours before
I ran the engine .My mechanic skills are a bit rusty but I have done alot of work to a previa I had in the past .I do forget the
sizes for the bolts for stuff like the valve cover ,seats ,and now the distributor .After I do this I want to get new rotors and maybe
do the front struts at the same time.
Finally !! I got a break in the action over the weekend and pulled the previa in the garage . I left it over night to cool so I could work on it without getting cooked .After getting it jacked up ,jack stands ,and a extra safety strap around a steel beam (I'm a bit paranoid about being under a van) it was pretty smooth sailing getting the distributor out .I took it all the way out and cleaned it ,the O ring was so bad it was just a hard piece of crust .No more burning smell and the van runs great now . So far I have repaired the tail lights where the door got dinged , had the ding in the door repaired, spark plugs ,air filter , distributor O ring ,replaced interior lights with LED lights . I just ordered front and rear brake pads and rotors, shocks , struts, and strut mounts.I'm running 4 new michelin tires and want to get my ride smoother and make the tires last longer .More news and photos to come as I slowly get her restored. A Huge thanks to Tim for all the great info on this site !!! I ordered some of my parts from Ebay and some from Rockauto .
Awesome! I always like hearing success stories. Tim
I replaced the "O" ring under my distributor and I'm still getting a leak of oil from that area. Is there another place oil can come out of the distributor? Or did I just put the "O" ring in wrong.. It felt like the "O" ring went in correctly and sealed. It seems like there must be some kind of seal on the distributor shaft that rotates and turns the rotor. Is it possible I'm leaking oil here. Would appreciate any help before I take the distributor out again...
Thanks,
Sam
samstrader
Did you also replace the valve cover gasket? Both are prone to leaking with age. I've had more trouble with the gaskets, myself. The O-ring under the distributor is a much easier job.
Thanks for your note. I did replace the valve cover gasket just this week and it is not leaking any now. But oil is still getting on that little plate below the distributor. I'm not sure of this but I don't think a valve cover leak will get on that little heat shield plate under the distributor cap.. The valve cover leak was going down that troth and dripping down on the header collector just as designed which is sort of crazy but that is how it was designed. So I have nothing in the tray now, which is real nice, but still am getting oil on that distributor heat shield thing.
One other thing is that I have not replaced the distributor cap dust seal and am planning to do that. But I don't think that dust seal would stop any oil leaks.
Hmmm.... I can't think of another source of oil, but with some careful snooping you will probably find it. Good luck!
I'll check out the distributor real good when I pull it. There must be some kind of seal or bushing or something between the distributor rotating part and the distributor case. I'll look..
yes it will, or it can anyway. Easy enough to tell though, because valve cover leaks will collect in that (not sure what to call it) flange below the valve cover. Assuming you cleaned that up when you changed the gasket, you can just reach up from underneath and stick your finger into it (engine cold, to avoid burns). If it comes out oily, its the valve cover.Originally Posted by samstrader
I removed headers and scoured them and all near oily parts when I did the head gasket... I modified a drip spout to avoid header shields, if I get another drip that is...
there is old burning build up on shields that will always give off odor... I even saw it on exhaust tubes on some in junkyard...messy.!
2BCE49E0-95AD-41DF-ADB0-1988ADE4B707.jpg
83E24417-8417-4EB4-8478-6F4266C59C1E.jpg
no Burning oil smell
Last edited by tbkilb01; 04-03-2023 at 04:00 PM.
I installed a piece of tin to divert oil from the exhaust in my 95...
That modified part in the last picture above is the one I was referring to that you can stick your finger into to see if oil is collecting in it. The groove where it collects is right under the valve cover and shows nicely in that pic
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