You can definitely replace the head gaskets without pulling the valley plate.
Kind of "Mystery" Coolant leak back of engine (heat exchanger valley leak)
- Thread starter cc93cruiser
- Start date
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That was my gut feeling on this. It sounds common given the frequency with which we see these on here, because people post asking for help or with their disappointment, but probably not even close to a majority of the engines overall.
You can see that location with a camera, but there is no official gasket other than the new formula FIPG, but there is a person who contracted with someone to make a gasket and you can buy it online.
I think it’s more in the 2013-2018 years.
I bet a lot of 3URs have it, but it’s slight and if you’re not losing much coolant from it for a long time shops may just top off the overflow at oil change time and barely note it.
I think at 174k I’ve had every common failure at this point except starter. I’d call head gaskets and SAIS issues relative rare despite what we see on this forum - more common than we’d like to see but statistically small. My local dealer has 15-20 shop bays and the service manager and I will chat about what they see as regular issues on this platform (LC, Tundra, Sequoia) and the valley plate was so common for them their labor rates were a few hours less than the book rate
My 2011 had a SAI valve failure and the valley plate leak. All at less than 100k miles.
I should have done the EGR delete when I did my valley plate.
The intake manifold gaskets according to Toyota are a one time use part. The heat exchanger gasket is an after market part. It is what I used to repair my leak. Based on where the forward most foam is installed, I can’t imagine you’d see where mine was leaking, but I’m having trouble visualizing, so you may be right. Certainly worth a try if you have a camera. And considering how cheap they are on Amazon these days, everyone should have one.
Oh, you used that after market gasket??!! Awesome. I literally saw it only two weeks after I did mine and wished I had seen it before. I’m really curious to hear your thoughts on how awesome it’s sealed considering how thin the FIPG is in some places for that heat exchanger.
I decided to install it dry with no gasket sealer. It’s been about 6 months and everything has been fine so far.
That's great to know.
If anyone is about to do their Valley Plate, I'm happy to save you a few $$ on the FIPG. One tube could probably do 4 repairs.
Plenty left. Just shoot me a PM and I can mail it to you for the cost of shipping.
You’re a good egg.
All done! Test drive to Costco complete!
Tips for those doing the Valley Plate fix in the future:
1. Make sure you order the correct SAIS gaskets (The ones from the Tundra are different). Correct part number for LC200/LX570 is: 17376-38020. I recommend ordering a quantity of 3 or 4 since they are cheap, not usually stocked locally, and prone to bending.
2. Order this long 10mm ratcheting wrench for the SAIS bolts. Trust me. - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CLVPNWRT?tag=ihco-20
3. Order this extra throttle body connector. There is a good chance you'll break it during removal. Watch a YouTube video on "de-pinning." With a small watchmakers flat blade screwdriver, it took me only 10 mins to swap the new connector. - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F1KCZNC3?tag=ihco-20
4. Order this radiator funnel to make your refill much easier - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A2CQSU6?tag=ihco-20
5. Order this to make applying the FIPG super smooth and consistent bead. - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007IQ4XWK?tag=ihco-20
6. If you own an LX570, remember to DROP the LX570 into LOW mode before you start. Might as well save your back by making the entire vehicle lower to the ground
No no no—pull both front wheels/tires and drop it so those dust shields about an inch off the deck. This is the way. Your body will thank you.6. If you own an LX570, remember to DROP the LX570 into LOW mode before you start. Might as well save your back by making the entire vehicle lower to the ground
Also, I don't recall if this video has been posted in the thread, but this is BY FAR the best step-by-step instructions if you are a visual learner.
Number three happened to me. De-pinning was a first for me. I did remove the front wheels, even after buying the overhead creeper. It made things much easier.View attachment 3997112
All done! Test drive to Costco complete!
Tips for those doing the Valley Plate fix in the future:
1. Make sure you order the correct SAIS gaskets (The ones from the Tundra are different). Correct part number for LC200/LX570 is: 17376-38020. I recommend ordering a quantity of 3 or 4 since they are cheap, not usually stocked locally, and prone to bending.
2. Order this long 10mm ratcheting wrench for the SAIS bolts. Trust me. - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CLVPNWRT?tag=ihco-20
3. Order this extra throttle body connector. There is a good chance you'll break it during removal. Watch a YouTube video on "de-pinning." With a small watchmakers flat blade screwdriver, it took me only 10 mins to swap the new connector. - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F1KCZNC3?tag=ihco-20
4. Order this radiator funnel to make your refill much easier - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A2CQSU6?tag=ihco-20
5. Order this to make applying the FIPG super smooth and consistent bead. - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007IQ4XWK?tag=ihco-20
6. If you own an LX570, remember to DROP the LX570 into LOW mode before you start. Might as well save your back by making the entire vehicle lower to the ground
Just found a leak on mine in this location. Was clean everywhere else except for right at the front. I was able to get the borescope in on the passenger side by prying back some of the foam. Could also just see it from the PCV valve side if the camera was pointed directly towards the passenger side. 2010 LX with 175k miles.
Based on this thread and the above video will be ordering the following:
| Toyota 1282B Sealant | 08826-00100 | Qty 1 |
| Coolant Pipe O-ring | 96761-35035 | Qty 2 |
| Oil Separator O-ring | 12273-38020 | Qty 1 |
| Intake Manifold Gasket | 17171-0S030 | Qty 2 |
| EGR Gasket | 17376-38020 | Qty 2 |
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That one’s not bad at all yet.