DIY Valve Cover Gasket Replacement for a '90 Toyota Celica

The 1990 Toyota Celica has a 1.6-liter 3S-FE or a 2.2-liter 5S-FE engine. In either case, the procedure to replace the valve cover gasket is the same with the exception of the torque specifications of each engine. Leaks occur at the valve cover because of the hardening of the cover's rubber gasket or at the spark plug tunnels. Always replace the rubber grommets for the spark plug tunnels when replacing the valve cover gasket. If the tunnel grommets are leaking, the oil should be removed from the spark plug depression before the gaskets are replaced; paper towels work well for this.

Instructions

Removal

1

Remove the air cleaner assembly. The air cleaner usually is secured by a wing nut, which you can turn with your fingers; but if the wing nut was lost and replaced with a nut, use a ratchet and socket to remove the nut, then lift off the air cleaner. Remove the air duct using a flat-head screwdriver.

2

Mark all hoses attached to the valve cover with a white marker. Mark any connectors and brackets for easier installation. Remove the two 10 mm nuts securing the wiring harness to the top front of the valve cover over the timing cover, using a ratchet. Lift up the harness and move it toward the passenger side a couple of inches to make it easier to remove the cover.

3

Mark the spark plug wires by placing one dot on the first wire, two on the second and so on. Twist the top boot 90 degrees in both directions, then pull the boot out of the valve cover. Place the wires on the intake manifold. Remove any throttle cable brackets attached to the valve cover, using a ratchet.

4

Remove the valve cover retaining nuts, or bolts and washers, using a ratchet. Keep them in the same order in which you removed them. Lift off the valve cover and cover the oil return hole with a rag. If the gasket sticks to the head, scrape off the gasket with a gasket scraper, taking care not to get debris into the head. The gasket is pre-molded to the valve cover. Just pull the gasket out of the groove around the base of the cover. Lift the rubber grommets off the spark plug tunnel depressions.

Installation

5

Clean the gasket mating surfaces on the valve cover and the head with shop rags. Hold up the new gasket and orient it to conform to the outline of the valve cover. Press the new gasket into the grooves for this purpose in the valve cover. Make sure its pressed in all the way. Place the new grommets over the spark plug depressions.

6

Fit the valve cover onto the head, making sure not to disturb the gasket. Reinstall the nuts, bolts and washers in their respective holes. Torque the bolts on the 1.6-liter to 9 foot-pounds, and 17 foot-pounds on the 2.2-liter engine, using a torque wrench.

7

Install the spark plug wires by pushing them down until they snap on the plug. Install the throttle brackets and vacuum hoses as marked. Install the air cleaner. Tighten the wing nut snugly. If the air cleaner uses a nut, tighten it snugly with a ratchet and socket. Do not over-tighten; it just needs to be snug.