More than just the valley plate?

[mfeferman]

I’m deep in the valley plate fix (taking my time and cursing a lot) and noticed that the driver’s side bank of injectors look particularly dirty…like the valve cover gasket above them is leaking. I was not planning to do anything beyond the valley plate, but can someone who’s more experienced (which would be anyone) look at these pics and let me know if I need to address more?
Thanks in advance.

 

[2021 LC200]

Seems more like dirt and a very minor to no leak situation. At 120k miles it seems a bit early as well to have any serious leaks. Maybe @bloc can shine some light on this.

 

[2021 LC200]

Looks like you can get access to the valve cover with the intake manifold in place. Proceeding with the valley repair and cleaning things up a bit (without dropping anything into the cylinder intakes) seems the way forward.

 

[mfeferman]

Looks like you can get access to the valve cover with the intake manifold in place. Proceeding with the valley repair and cleaning things up a bit (without dropping anything into the cylinder intakes) seems the way forward.

Looks like that is to replace injectors. Nice. I'm not sure if I need to do my valve cover gaskets.

 

[2021 LC200]

Looks like that is to replace injectors. Nice. I'm not sure if I need to do my valve cover gaskets.

The video is indeed about the injectors, yet it shows the valve covers and access to the same with the intake manifold in place. So that is why I posted this for you. Perhaps a search in the workshop manual can confirm no need to remove the inlet manifold for that job. Would be a good double check.

 

[2021 LC200]

This is a very long video and other than having to remove the coolant again looks like you can fix the valve cover gasket without removing the intake manifold. So I would not fix it now given there is little to no evidence of a leak. Obviously your choice and not bad either to do so. Good luck!

 

[rexington14]

Check for cracks in the hose that connects to the PCV that could be contributing to the mess in that area.

This valley plate leak is such a ridiculous problem common to the UR engines. Hopefully you didn't run it low on coolant.

 

[bloc]

With it being mostly on the drivers side another possibility is someone made a big mess while pouring oil into the oil fill spout.

Personally I’d just clean it up well and reassemble, then monitor for further leakage.

Yes valve covers can be removed with the intake manifold in place, if it turns out the gasket does need to be changed.

 

[2021 LC200]

With it being mostly on the drivers side another possibility is someone made a big mess while pouring oil into the oil fill spout.

This given the evidence shows coked oil and general dirt, not any fresh leak. So like Bloc I would leave it alone.

 

[016LC]

One unrelated task I would do in this situation is to purchase some wire armor from McMaster-Carr((McMaster-Carr - https://www.mcmaster.com/catalog/130/1009/8796T21) and apply it to the tag ends of wires that lead to the knock sensors. This is a common feeding ground for rodents that like the soy-based insulation. DAMHIK It is also an expensive and inconvenient repair if one has no choice but to utilize the services of a big-city, out of town dealership. The computer will sense the discontinuity in the wiring and light up the dashboard and default to a limp-home mode that limits speed and gearing. Toyota did a nice job in protecting most of the harness--why they did not finish the job is one of those mysteries of life. A stitch in time....

 

[mfeferman]

The video is indeed about the injectors, yet it shows the valve covers and access to the same with the intake manifold in place. So that is why I posted this for you. Perhaps a search in the workshop manual can confirm no need to remove the inlet manifold for that job. Would be a good double check.

Oh, I’m replacing the sealing on the valley plate, which is leaking. No way to do that without removing intake manifold and a lot of other stuff. Thanks, though, since now I know I can replace the injectors at a later date.

 

[mfeferman]

With it being mostly on the drivers side another possibility is someone made a big mess while pouring oil into the oil fill spout.

Personally I’d just clean it up well and reassemble, then monitor for further leakage.

Yes valve covers can be removed with the intake manifold in place, if it turns out the gasket does need to be changed.

This is what I was thinking. I hope so.

 

[mfeferman]

Man, getting this SAIS piece out is a complete PITA. Removed nuts from driver’s side and opened wheel well to disconnect passenger side from exhaust manifold (per someone’s recommendation) and I do not see how to get it out without removing those fuel lines. Is that a bad idea?