Valve cover gaskets
 

My son has a 1987 Supra turbo and he thinks the valve cover gaskets may be leaking as oil drips on the exhaust manifold when it is running. Is the replacment of these something that can be done by someone with rudimentary mechanical skills or is it best left to the professionals?
Thanks

Click on next page top right for more info. Toyota part No 11213-42020
Be careful not to over tighten the cam cover screws on reinstallation they screw into the alloy head. Also check the spark plug wells are not filled with oil, as a rule when the cam covers do leak No 6 spark plug well fills with oil. You said “oil drips on the exhaust manifold”, check the cam sensor is not leaking oil, the O ring may need replacing, Toyota part No 90099-14018.



Bill UK

drips oil onto exhaust manifold heatsheild when O ring has gone brittle.

http://www.cygnusx1.net/supra/library/TSRM/ig/IG_23.html

Notes: 1 to 8 only required for removing O ring, also note 6 states remove
“Power Steering Reservoir Tank” undo bracket bolts & nut, gently move (pull) reservoir tank clear and remove cam sensor, no need to remove reservoir tank.

Thanks Bill - super helpful information. Does look a bit like a job for a mechanic!!

changing the valve cover gaskets is a piece of cake once you get started,just do one at a time and make sure everything is really clean before you put on the covers with the new gaskets, I used a McDonalds straw duct-taped to the hose on my shopvac to suck the oil out of my plug wells.There's no sense in paying a expensive mechanic to do something you and your son can do in an hour while having fun and learning more about that legendary motor.

VC Gaskets
 

I did mine and I am not very mechanical, but I am a bit smart. I took plenty of pictures of my engine bay before I started. I printed out all the pertinent info from the TSRM. I had little trays arranged for the parts. It wasn't the easiest thing to do, but it did kill an afternoon and I replaced those stupid philips bolts with regular hex. It is also a good time to perform a tuneup as you can get at all the plugs and wires and things. And those other folks are right, you may find some oil in No. 6. I used a shop vac and tried to suck out as much crap as possible. Make sure you have the right tools. You'll definitely need a elbow and extension for your ratchet. And tape of and number all hoses and wires. You can do it, and you'll be better off for the experience (and so will your son).

Scruff

Thanks all for the replies. Greatly appreciated.