Got oil on top of your spark plugs??

Spudboy · 05-28-2008, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mc_p0pe

Hey there,
I have this same problem and to make sure it is right the first time could you also tell me how to replace the valve cover gaskets too, how many and where at exactly?

There are two (2) valve covers and one (1) 'spark plug cover'. However, the Toyota manual, and probably your Toyota parts guy will list them as the No.1 and No. 2 Cylinder Head Cover Gaskets for what we Americans usually refer to as valve cover gaskets. The 'spark plug' cover/gasket is refered by Toyota on our car as the No. 3 Cylinder Head Cover.

So...the No. 1 and 2 are traditional valve cover GASKETS, to be used between the two valve covers (No. 1 and 2 cylinder head covers) and the head to seal, while the No. 3 Cylinder Head Cover is one complete replacement part/gasket/cover but not actually a valve cover...goes on top of the head, over the spark plugs, between the two valve covers.

If you are going to work on your own car and don't recognize a traditional valve cover you MUST get the Toyota Supra Repair Manual (TSRM). Even for those who do know cars will most likely have and use it frequently. (I recall from somewhere in this forum the TSRM is available on-line. If you can find it go to page EM-33 for the 1988 Turbo for a nice picture.)

Scan backwards on this thread for lots of info on this topic.

cre · 03-13-2012, 03:32 PM

To elaborate on post #7:

There is a third place it can come from... That's the PCV plumbing. If you've got severe blow-by issues the quantity of oil passing through the crankcase ventilation system can be quite high and quickly degrade the couplings giving the oil another escape route than the intake tract. It's not common and usually takes quite some time but it does happen often enough that you shouldn't disregard the possibility. I've seen this twice. It's a rather nice surprise as it's the easiest thing to take care of, but I usually replace the valve cover seals anyway (as I've probably already bought them :P ).

Don't forget the FIPG at the right angle of the #1 cam caps.

faye · 06-04-2013, 01:48 AM

Thanks for this post! Extremely helpful for me, as a new Supra owner. Went to purchase mine, went to pull a plug as part of my inspection and found the wire saturated with oil along with the entire trough between the 2 valve covers.

Thought it was the valve cover gaskets, but them found this post. Ordered the stock #3 cyl cover from my local toyota dealership (prefer to keep it stock) and no oil since! Fabulous.

I also got the drain plug gaskets from Napa, as the OP had recommended, but decided to stick with the OE gasket, because I preferred the material for this application (rubber with the aluminum washer, vs the fibrous material of the red gasket that the OP described) and figured that perhaps the extra support around the plug wires helped something?!?!?!? Those Toyota engineers put it there for a reason? Who knows. Anyways, doing great now. Thanks.

03-13-2012, 03:32 PM	#2
cre Toyota Racing Development Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5,038	To elaborate on post #7: There is a third place it can come from... That's the PCV plumbing. If you've got severe blow-by issues the quantity of oil passing through the crankcase ventilation system can be quite high and quickly degrade the couplings giving the oil another escape route than the intake tract. It's not common and usually takes quite some time but it does happen often enough that you shouldn't disregard the possibility. I've seen this twice. It's a rather nice surprise as it's the easiest thing to take care of, but I usually replace the valve cover seals anyway (as I've probably already bought them :P ). Don't forget the FIPG at the right angle of the #1 cam caps. __________________ If something breaks or you need to contact a member of the administration please post HERE. Unless it's a private or administration matter please post it on the forum. It benefits no one else if car related questions aren't posted for future users and takes away from the time I'm able to spend helping on the rest of the forum. If you're so inclined I'm always more than happy to accept tips via PayPal. Tip Jar ---> Last edited by cre; 03-13-2012 at 04:07 PM.

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06-04-2013, 01:48 AM	#3
faye Stock Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2	Thanks for this post! Extremely helpful for me, as a new Supra owner. Went to purchase mine, went to pull a plug as part of my inspection and found the wire saturated with oil along with the entire trough between the 2 valve covers. Thought it was the valve cover gaskets, but them found this post. Ordered the stock #3 cyl cover from my local toyota dealership (prefer to keep it stock) and no oil since! Fabulous. I also got the drain plug gaskets from Napa, as the OP had recommended, but decided to stick with the OE gasket, because I preferred the material for this application (rubber with the aluminum washer, vs the fibrous material of the red gasket that the OP described) and figured that perhaps the extra support around the plug wires helped something?!?!?!? Those Toyota engineers put it there for a reason? Who knows. Anyways, doing great now. Thanks.