vintagelex

Are the aftermarket valve cover gaskets / spark plug tube seals any good or do they generally not last long? It seems much cheaper to get an aftermarket set that includes spark plug seals and grommets than to get OEM.

PFB

Why would you take a chance on such relatively inexpensive, yet very labor intensive parts.

Get the OEM and be done with it.

Phil

01LEXPL

iTrader: (10)

honestly, the OEM's cost me maybe 10-15$ more than the Felpro kit. However, OEM failed to include the tube seals, so I had used those out of my Felpro kit.

It's not a huge difference. The only reason I had OEM installed was because my mech. ordered them for me, even though I only told him to get me the intake manifold gasket... Oh well

artbuc

I have heard good things about Felcro but why take a chance? The OEM stuff fits perfectly and since Bank 1 is such a royal PITA, I would hate to do it twice. Also, I have heard of some folks getting the wrong gasket even though the aftermarket application chart said it should work. Lastly, many rave about various aftermarket RTV's but Toyota FIPG is the best stuff on the planet, IMO. Absolutely worth the extra $6-8.

Silver06ES

I've had good results with felpro gaskets. I haven't had to replace valve cover gaskets in my ES330, but I used felpro valve cover gaskets on the 1MZ-FE in my 98 Camry last year. The gaskets were high quality and correct size/shape, and as 01LEXPL mentioned above, they include the spark tube seals.

Its been about a year since I replaced them, and no seepage/leaks at all. I also used Felpro when I drove Fords, and didn't have any issues with the new gaskets on those cars either.

mdbrown

Felpro is what I used and it's worked just fine. I've been using felpro gaskets for over 25 years without any issues. That's good enough for me.

vintagelex

so I just looked at rockauto and the grommets for the valve cover bolts cost over $10 (there's 16 of them and it seems they sell them individually and not in packs). $10 for a couple of rubber washers seems ridiculous

they're $0.68 each (on sale) or is the price thats listed already for all 16 of them (maybe someone here who's done this before can give some input...)

mdbrown

Not sure what you are referring to, there are no grommets for the bolts. There are 6 grommets, one for each spark plug tube and 1 gasket for each valve cover.

vintagelex

the black plastic washers that go on the valve cover bolts. my car is a 92 maybe the later years didnt have them.