Spark Plug Tube Gaskets

1995 TOYOTA COROLLA
175,000 MILES
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DOBEDOO
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Hi mmprince4000:

I just finished my first valve cover last night and I have a few questions about completion.

1) Lost a nut to the bay/ground (the one next to oil cap). Partially torqued the three to 35. Is this OK or will that warp my cover? When I get the new nut can I just add it or do I have to pull cover and start over?

2) Spark plug tube seals - How do I check if they are installed properly before I power up? If I need to redo these I want to know before I get oil everywhere. Tried replacing one boot and it fit tightly but I don't know if that's conclusive. One of these (#4 in pic) is installed slightly deeper than the others.

3) One of the humps (left) did not seat in the VC but the gasket fit perfectly otherwise. I was hoping torquing would resolve it but I don't know for sure.


May 21, 2013 at 7:22 PM
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WRENCHTOSS
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It will leak badly if you don't replace the missing nut ..
May 21, 2013 at 7:35 PM
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DOBEDOO
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The question is for mmprince. Thanks.
May 21, 2013 at 8:05 PM
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MHPAUTOS
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You better respond to the original post, he may not see the new post, just add it to the bottom of the first post.
May 22, 2013 at 4:20 AM
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DOBEDOO
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OK. Thanks. In the meantime it wouldn't hurt to get your take too.
May 22, 2013 at 7:56 AM
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MMPRINCE4000
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The nuts are a cap head M6x1.0, you can get at Toyota or a junk yard. I would remove cover, the Felpro Viton gaskets can be reused.

I use a 1/4" ratchet and socket to tighten them, starting in center. get them "snug". I also put black RTV on the distributor "hump" and the cam "hump.

The tube seals look good in the picture, I use a large socket same size as tube seal to install. Put cover face down (like first pic) on a concrete surface to drive in tube seals.

The bottom of the tube seal is a steel base. When properly installed the seal will face up towards top of cover.
May 22, 2013 at 8:15 AM
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DOBEDOO
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Do you know the nut thread size so I can get a quick replacement?

If I remove cover can I reinstall gasket mostly dry like the first time since I didn't power up or do I need to cover with RTV second time.

If you compare the humps in the VC you can see there is a gap on the left. Will this be OK when torqued down or will it leak and I need to get a new gasket?

Both of these are good and don't look leak prone?
Seals 1-3: Tube Sits Above Seal
Seal 4: Tube Sits Nearly Flush to Inner Ring

Thanks a lot
May 22, 2013 at 9:15 AM
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MMPRINCE4000
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Nut size is M6 x 1.0.

Gasket can be re-installed.

Make sure you have gasket installed properly, reverse it to make sure it is on correctly as a test. If it fits hump better when reversed, then install.

Tube seals can also be installed wrong, the bottom that is inside cover should have a metal base.
May 23, 2013 at 4:47 AM
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DOBEDOO
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Are you looking at my images before you answer because it doesn't seem so?
May 23, 2013 at 11:28 AM
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MMPRINCE4000
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From what I can see the tube seals look good.
May 24, 2013 at 3:07 AM
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