Keith13b

iTrader: (3)

Looking to change out the valve cover gaskets next week - car leaks a little oil. Is this a simple task for an experienced do-it-yourselfer who isn't overly familiar with the lexus, or should I drop it off at the dealer? If its straight forward, then does any one have any hints or helpful reminders of possible problems. I work on cars all the time, so I'm very mechanically inclined; but I always have a workshop manual to go by. At the prices Lexus charges for the book, I'm trying to do things w/o it.


Thanks in advance

Keith
92 SC400

lxxxs

its pretty straight forward job. just alot of labor!!!!
u need to remove the intake and all that jazz, unpluging hoses and remebering where they go when u put it all back together.

sc400nos

Mine are leaking a slight bit of oil as well and I plan on doing it myself. I don't really think it will be to hard, I just think it will probably take all day though.

The Ikon

If or when you do the repair take some pics of it and post them...or at least document it... I and others would love to see the right way to do it... when our time comes...

Are you using oem parts or a high quality/perfomance gasket?

Good luck!

garnet92

This may too late for some of you Lexaholics, but my SC4 is going to the dealer next week. When it returns it’ll come back with the service manuals (finally bought ‘em). I’ll post the directions from the “good book” if they’re still needed.

Keith13b

iTrader: (3)

Garnet 92:


By all means, please post some directions if you wish. I've waited over a year to decide to fix the problem, I can most definately wait another week or so. Your post will be greatly appreciated by me and many others. Thanks a whole lot in advance!!!!


Keith

garnet92

Keith13b – I haven’t forgotten about posting the instructions from the service manual on the valve cover gaskets – got my manuals almost 2 weeks ago but haven’t been able to look at them much myself until the end of this week- I’ll get them posted tomorrow – (if you still need them). Sorry for delay - seems like all I do is work!

garnet92

Well, here it is guys - maybe someone who does it from these instructions and add/clarify items. Read on.

Note: When I saw the posting I realized that it's lost indents and boldface - too bad, it's now harder to read.

The following comes from a section called “Inspection and adjustment of valve clearance”, Section EM-11. Be aware that the manual accompanies the procedures with 49 line drawings that help to identify the referenced part(s). The drawings would have to be a definite help to identify some parts where terminology may be unfamiliar.

1. Disconnect cable from negative terminal of battery. CAUTION: Work must be started after approx. 20 seconds or longer from the time the ignition switch is turned to the “LOCK” position and the negative (-) terminal cable is disconnected from the battery.
2. Drain engine coolant
3. Remove throttle body cover
a. Remove the mounting cap nut.
b. Loosen the two bolts, and remove the throttle body cover.
4. Disconnect control cables from throttle body. Disconnect the following cables:
a. Accelerator cable.
b. A/T throttle control cable.
c. (w/cruise control system) Cruise control actuator cable.
5. Remove intake air connector
a. Disconnect the following hoses:
i. Air hose from ISC valve.
ii. Air hose (from PS air control valve) from intake air connector.
b. Remove the bolt holding the intake air connector to the cylinder head cover.
c. Loosen the two hose clamps.
d. Disconnect the intake air connector from the throttle body and air cleaner hose, and remove the throttle body.
6. Remove upper high-tension cord cover
a. Remove the two mounting bolts.
b. Disconnect the front side claw groove of the cord cover from the claw of the lower cover, and remove the cord cover.
7. Remove RH engine wire cover. Remove the bolt and engine wire cover.
8. Remove LH engine wire cover. Remove the two bolts and engine wire cover.
9. Remove VSV for EVAP system. Remove the two bolts, and disconnect the VSV from cylinder head and timing belt cover.
10. Remove RH No.3 timing belt cover. Remove the three bolts and timing belt cover.
11. Disconnect fuel inlet hose from LH delivery pipe. Remove the pulsation damper and two gaskets, and disconnect the inlet hose.
12. Disconnect fuel return hose from fuel return pipe
13. Disconnect PCV hose from LH cylinder head
14. Remove LH No.3 timing belt cover
a. Remove the four mounting bolts.
b. Disconnect the cord grommet from the timing belt cover, and remove the timing belt cover.
c. Remove the cord grommet from the high-tension cord.
15. Disconnect heater water valve from body
a. Disconnect the VSV connector.
b. Remove the bolt holding the engine wire clamp to the water valve bracket.
c. Remove the two bolts, and disconnect the water valve and bracket assembly.
16. Remove throttle body
a. Disconnect the following connectors:
i. Throttle position sensor connector
ii. (w/TRAC) Sub-throttle position sensor connector
iii. (w/TRAC) Sub-throttle actuator connector
b. Disconnect the following hoses:
i. Water by-pass hose from ISC valve
ii. (USA Spec.) Vacuum hose from throttle body
iii. (Exc. USA spec) Three vacuum hoses from throttle body
c. Remove the two bolts and two nuts, disconnect the throttle body from the air intake chamber.
d. Disconnect the following hoses, and remove the throttle body:
i. PCV hose from the throttle body
ii. Water by-pass hose from throttle body
e. Remove the throttle body gasket
17. Remove RH cylinder head cover
a. Remove the two bolts holding the cord clamp to the cylinder head.
b. Disconnect the high-tension cords from the spark plugs.
c. Disconnect the high-tension cords from the front high-tension cord clamp.
d. Remove the eight bolts, seal washers, cylinder head cover and gasket.
18. Remove LH cylinder head cover
a. Remove the two bolts holding the high-tension cord clamp to the cylinder head.
b. Disconnect the high-tension cords from the spark plugs.
c. Disconnect the high-tension cords from the front high-tension cord clamp.
d. Disconnect the engine wire from the two wire clamps on the LH delivery pipe.
e. Disconnect the four injector connectors.
f. Disconnect the two engine wire connectors.
g. Remove the eight bolts, seal washers, cylinder head cover and gasket.


Note: While the reinstallation instructions are about the same, just in reversed sequence, they do provide slightly different drawings for the reinstall procedures. They also note where new gaskets should be used (throttle body, timing belt covers, fuel inlet hose) and specify torque specs (cylinder head cover, throttle body, fuel inlet).

Have fun!