Symptoms
Oil seeping down the heads, a burning-oil smell after a drive, slowly falling oil level.
The fix, step by step
- Heat cycles harden and crack the gaskets, so leaks only get worse.
- Access is the work: clear the intake plumbing to reach the covers, unbolt them, clean the sealing surfaces thoroughly, fit new gaskets and grommets, and torque the covers down evenly.
Tools & part numbers
- Metric sockets and extensions
- torque wrench
- gasket scraper
- RTV
- new valve cover gaskets
Where to buy the parts
Valve cover gasket sets (5VZ-FE)RockAuto ↗Amazon ↗
Valve cover grommetsRockAuto ↗Amazon ↗
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Rated for a competent home mechanic with a decent tool kit. Confirm torque figures, fluids and procedures against the factory service manual for your VIN, support the truck on stands rather than a jack, and work at your own risk (disclaimer). Some parts links are affiliate links, which pay us a small commission at no cost to you.