Rusted valve cover gasket leak

[Erskinegc]

I have a 2006 with 200,00 miles on it that I’m not sure what to do with. Has a leaking valve gasket and the bolts are rusted and the shop can’t get the bolts out. Motor runs like a Singer sewing machine, all maint records, all done by the book. Should I try to sell as or pay approx $7000 for them to fix it and sell it?

I’d rather sell as is, but wanted to ask on this forum, before making any move. Fix and sell vs sell outright.

 

[Kabanstva]

$7,000 to break loose a couple rusty bolts? You’re kidding right? Go to a different shop.

 

[Erskinegc]

$7,000 to break loose a couple rusty bolts? You’re kidding right? Go to a different shop.

They say they have tried everything and can not get them out. They broke the heads off the bolts while they were trying to get them off. Then have been applying some liquid almost daily to help loosen them. They said they could not even tap into the rest of the bolt without it disintegrating. I got two estimates from 2 different shops. Said they would prob have to pull the engine out to get to the two closest to the firewall between driver and motor. They are Land Cruiser aficionados and said they had never seen anything like this before. They are a very reputable shop in town. I bought the car up north in Maryland when I was stationed there. So maybe that’s why it’s got those bolts so rusty.

 

[94SRUNNER]

I would find a different shop.

 

[2000UZJ]

Let's see some pictures of these valve cover bolts...

 

[3_puppies]

you'll never recoup the $7000 repair when selling it.
wonder how many bolts are left holding the valve cover to the head?
there was a thread about a guy pulling his engine to do the valve cover gaskets, then it snowballed from there

 

[Erskinegc]

I would find a different shop.

I figured that was gonna have to be the case. This hurts not only the wallet but I really had planned to get 500,000 miles out of the LC. But I already had to buy another vehicle. Is it best to try and fix and sell, or try to sell as is?

 

[Kabanstva]

I figured that was gonna have to be the case. This hurts not only the wallet but I really had planned to get 500,000 miles out of the LC. But I already had to buy another vehicle. Is it best to try and fix and sell, or try to sell as is?

You won't get a penny back of that $7,000 if you sell the car once the valve cover gaskets are replaced.

Most old used car you buy will have leaks, valve covers are super common, nobody that really wants your truck will let a leaking valve cover gasket stop them from buying it.

 

[MountaineerLC]

You’re in a tough spot. $7000 is absurd and you’ll never recoup that money on a sale. However, it’s going to be tough to sell a LC with leaking valve covers and multiple broken valve cover bolts unless you sell it cheap.

 

[Erskinegc]

Let's see some pictures of these valve cover bolts...

I’ll go to the shop where it’s at tomorrow and take lots of pics and post. I appreciate everyone’s helpful response. I hate to part with it bc other than that , the vehicle has been amazing and the AC blows A LOT colder than the ford f 150 that I replaced it with.

 

[Kabanstva]

You’re in a tough spot. $7000 is absurd and you’ll never recoup that money on a sale. However, it’s going to be tough to sell a LC with leaking valve covers and multiple broken valve cover bolts unless you sell it cheap.

I disagree. ALL of the old Toyota SUVs around here have much worse issues than a couple rusty/broken bolts and they sell juts fine for the same money as rust free southern cars. Prices are the same. Leakin valve covers are pretty much expected on any higher mileage toyota car. I've had multiple vehicles that I bought with this and nothing was ever disclosed or discounted. Even bought a couple from a Toyota dealer, same story, nobody would discount.

 

[TheBussman]

I've done several of these where almost every bolt broke and I had to drill them all out. I added labor time but not $6800 more. Find another shop or ship it to me. If the valve cover bolts are really that bad there is very likely alot of rust on the rest of the truck too.

 

[Erskinegc]

I've done several of these where almost every bolt broke and I had to drill them all out. I added labor time but not $6800 more. Find another shop or ship it to me. If the valve cover bolts are really that bad there is very likely alot of rust on the rest of the truck too.

Where are you located TheBussman? I’m in South MS. I’ll post pics tomorrow. And yes, I’m concerned about some underbody rust issues too. But my few times looking under it and under the hood, I did think it was that unreasonable. But again, I had previously never owned a vehicle long enough to worry about that. ( this LC was the longest I’d ever owned a vehicle and I like it more than any other vehicle I’ve ever owned). And being from the South, understanding just how much rust is acceptable is kinda a little like voodoo to me. I appreciate all the kind and thoughtful replies from everyone.

 

[3_puppies]

here is the thread I was thinking of:

my living nightmare. valve cover gasket replacement turns into engine out job

 

[Erskinegc]

here is the thread I was thinking of:

my living nightmare. valve cover gasket replacement turns into engine out job

Thank you for this. I had looked at a few threads before I asked this question but missed this one. Yes. They said they would prob have to take it out and would redo pretty much all the things that this person did. I bought a light bore scope with a flexible hose to get down into the engine bay to see how much rust was anywhere else. It’s just crazy how one little gasket has effectively led to this point.

 

[3_puppies]

IIRC others have removed the front motor mounts to drop the engine lower giving more room to work at the rear.

is the rig rusty? usually it is more of the corrosion between steel and aluminum

 

[Erskinegc]

IIRC others have removed the front motor mounts to drop the engine lower giving more room to work at the rear.

is the rig rusty? usually it is more of the corrosion between steel and aluminum

Most people more mechanical inclined than me say the rust is not bad. For example, there is no rust on any fender well or any of that. Just appeared to be some minor surface rust on the undercarriage. Up until this incident, which appears not totally uncommon with valve gasket leaks, the LC has been perfect in almost every way. Certainly qualifies as good condition at the least, IMO.

 

[TheBussman]

Where are you located TheBussman? I’m in South MS. I’ll post pics tomorrow. And yes, I’m concerned about some underbody rust issues too. But my few times looking under it and under the hood, I did think it was that unreasonable. But again, I had previously never owned a vehicle long enough to worry about that. ( this LC was the longest I’d ever owned a vehicle and I like it more than any other vehicle I’ve ever owned). And being from the South, understanding just how much rust is acceptable is kinda a little like voodoo to me. I appreciate all the kind and thoughtful replies from everyone.

Delaware Ohio. I've had trucks get shipped in before. Usually it's for bigger jobs then this though.

 

[Moparsncruisers]

I own/ operate a shop in Virginia Beach, VA....I've don't a ton of 4.7L valve cover gasket jobs, it's a 50/50 shot of one or more of the lower VC bolts breaking....it happens....they can 100% drill out those bolts and even save the factory M6x1.0 threads in the heads. A right angle drill and good bit selection, and some time/patience! It sucks for sure but is a part of the job sometimes, sounds like they just don't want to take the time to do what has to be done. Wish you were closer, I'd knock it out for you....for a LOT less than $7k too!

 

[Erskinegc]

I own/ operate a shop in Virginia Beach, VA....I've don't a ton of 4.7L valve cover gasket jobs, it's a 50/50 shot of one or more of the lower VC bolts breaking....it happens....they can 100% drill out those bolts and even save the factory M6x1.0 threads in the heads. A right angle drill and good bit selection, and some time/patience! It sucks for sure but is a part of the job sometimes, sounds like they just don't want to take the time to do what has to be done. Wish you were closer, I'd knock it out for you....for a LOT less than $7k too!

Thank you. We may speak later. I’m looking at as many options as I can. And yes, they charge by the job, not the hour. And they say it will take so long to fix that they will lose revenue on this job. It’s a busy shop and I get it.