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2003 Tundra Vale cover gasket issues

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by skeeter1949, Jun 11, 2020.

  1. Jun 11, 2020 at 11:54 AM
    #1
    skeeter1949

    skeeter1949 [OP] New Member

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    I needed to replace the valve cover gaskets on my 2003 4.7 Tundra. I got the valve cover on drivers side off, changed the tube seals, replaced the gasket, and went to put the valve cover back on, and now I can not get the new tube seals to fit down over the spark plug tubes. I am afraid that if I force the cover on the tubes I may damage the seals. What am I doing wrong? I know that some vehicles have a special tool that fits down over the tubes and will slide up into the seal, but I don't find anything like that for a 2003 Tundra. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
     
  2. Jun 11, 2020 at 2:55 PM
    #2
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    I’d recommend putting some oil on the gaskets and lip of tube and then slipping the cover down. If that doesn’t work, maybe the seals are the wrong size.
     
  3. Jun 11, 2020 at 3:29 PM
    #3
    bmf4069

    bmf4069 Yup, that's car parts in a dishwasher

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    Does it look like this?

    20190126_150839.jpg

    They should just snug down on the plug tubes.
     
  4. Jun 11, 2020 at 4:34 PM
    #4
    brobert225

    brobert225 Firm grasp of the obvious

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    Be sure you have them installed as shown so the taper helps get over the tube then lube and push.
     
  5. Jun 11, 2020 at 4:35 PM
    #5
    skeeter1949

    skeeter1949 [OP] New Member

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    TRD Exhaust, K&N Filter
    Well, I believe that I Have found my problem. I discovered that the seals that came with my Fel Pro valve cover gasket kit, do not fit the spark plug tubes. I bought the gasket kit from the local NAPA dealer. They are blue just like in the photo from bmf4609, but they do not slide down over the spark plug tubes. I went to the local Toyota dealer (local is 30 miles away), and compared a Toyota seal against the Fel Pro one. The are different. After I bought 8 and got back home, I remembered seeing a post some time back where the author said to use genuine Toyota seals. We'll see. I haven't started the process of removing the old (new old) ones, and replacing them with the Toyota one, but I am willing to bet the Toyota ones will fit. Thanks to all.
     
    hammeron likes this.
  6. Jun 11, 2020 at 4:39 PM
    #6
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    Yeah. OEM gaskets always. Make sure to buy the FIPG Sealant for your corners and half moons.
     
  7. Jun 11, 2020 at 5:41 PM
    #7
    skeeter1949

    skeeter1949 [OP] New Member

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    So, revision 1 to my previous post. I may have these tube seals installed incorrectly. After looking at the photos from bmf4069, I realized that it's possible that I could have had a brain fart, and installed them upside down. I have not been back to my shop since I purchased the OEM seals, so I can not be sure, but I think that I installed them upside down. Crap, or as my grandson is quite fond of saying.."on snap". That leads to another question...One way or another I'm gonna have to remove the current seals..can those little metal tabs take another bending up and down? Again, thanks to all...this is a great site!!
     
  8. Jun 11, 2020 at 5:56 PM
    #8
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    Hand Protectors
    They should be able to handle it. You should only need to bend up 3 tabs and leave the 4th for leverage. Here is a pick of my OEM Seals if you put those on.

    upload_2020-6-11_20-55-19.jpg
     
    hammeron and bmf4069 like this.

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