Personally? I won’t put a sheet gasket into a spot Toyota didn’t design the engine for.
1, this will lift the plate the thickness of that gasket, which means the o-ring interfaces with the water pipe at the front will be out of alignment.
2, Toyota designed the plate specifically for the sealing regime they used.. meaning an ultra-thin layer of FIPG in the gap. A gasket (even rubber impregnated sheet paper) allows more compression, which means the plate will flex more between mounting bolts.
3, to my knowledge when the correct updated sealant is used and the job done well, repeat leaks aren’t a problem.
Very good points!
@2001LC Since you've seen quite a few of these trucks with leaks, is this something you would consider?
First, I've heard of this gasket. I do think, "worth considering". If it works it works. If not, back to square one.
FWIW: I use a borescope to inspect for
Valley plate leak. I've only inspected about 1/2 dozen so far. Ranging from 2008-2016.
All leak!
Borescope inspection, 2016 two weeks ago:
I don't know if FIPG 1282B, is any different than factory used.
Other than factory would likely use in bulk/gun, rather than tube.
What I do see, 100 series 4.7l. Factory FIPG used on oil pan, it is gray. FIPG 102 or 103 oil we buy in tube, is black. So an example, there are some differences from factory FIPG.
I don't know if tube of 1282B has change, in last few years. If so, it would have likely had a designator or P/N change. Like we saw with 102 oil, update/sub to 103 oil FIPG. My last tube 1282B, was same as I've seen for more than 10 years. But it has been a few years, since I bought a new tube. When I look at a Toyota parts page, I don't see a P/N difference/sub for 1282B.
IMHO: Valley plate, is a poor design. I saw four issues:
- No V groove in plate, for FIPG. Note: We see these V groove (most FIPG seal points) in 100 series 4.7L. Which they never leak at FIPG. Not even at 25 years and 500K miles. Not even the 1 million mile 4.7L VVti U.S. manufactured Tundra, noted any leak.
- To much space between securing bolts, resulting in uneven press on plate to block.
- Valley plate a to thin, for spacing of bolts.
- Water pipe is not a precision part.
Water pipe:
I've found some, of the factory water pipes, leaking at O-ring. Measuring the factory installed water pipe, and comparing to new water pipe P/N 16322-0S010 (old 16322-38010). I found, neither perfectly round. Also, the diameter varied. The new pipe I had purchased, had slightly larger diameter.
Also the angle on pipe, we need during install of plate. Doesn't lend itself well, to this service. IMHO the engineers, weren't required to turn a wrench, in the field, on 200 series. A big mistake, making servicing difficult.
I see three choices:
- Consider valley plate as a PM service, in cost of ownership.
- Use this gasket, see how it holds up. "Cheap easy mod"
- Design and manufacture, a new valley plate and water pipe. Costly, prototype! Cost, can be spread, on volume runs of proven design.
Valley plate redesign:
~3mm increase in mounting surface aluminium. Increasing stiffness.
~2mm V groove in mounting surface.
Water pipe redesign:
Precision size and roundness.
If enough interest in a redesign. I can have a prototypes made and tested?
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