900 to replace V-6 valve cover gaskets

Does this sound right. I had know idea it would be difficult.

This is the quote my friend got for a 2000 RC V-6. My old tundra I sold him when I moved up to a V8.

Thanks

 

Only if it takes them a day to do it because all the valve cover bolts snapped off. Otherwise, I find it hard to believe it would take a day (or 6 hours if the shop labor costs $150/hr.)

 

Absurd. Sounds like he went to a stealership for that quote. It's about $150 in parts if you go OEM. Process, part numbers, and tips are here. It took me about 1.5 hours my first time, maybe 2. Anything more than $500-600 for that job using OEM parts is super questionable.

First off: Why do they need replacement? If leaking, before replacing, they may want to simply try backing them out half a turn with non-ape force while the engine is hot (b/c there's a mild snap risk involved) and if they back off, you'll want to torque them down to spec with a properly setup wrench, again, 53 INCH pounds, not lb-foot. Over-tightening will snap them off. Then you've got some drilling/extraction to do. Plenty of 2UZ owners have found the issue with leaks is simply that the rubber washer dried up a bit and the bolts backed out a bit.

You can find links to the FSM for your truck on here showing how to do them properly if you like. Some of the YouTube videos are hackish and I don't recommend following their tips. You must use FIPG in the corners, be sure to clean off well. You should be able to re-use the half-moon plugs.

Don't use anything except OEM or FelPro brand gaskets. OEM preferred. I dunno where Toyota gets their rubber but the shit seems like it lasts forever.

 

I just checked with him. The 900.00 is a independent shop he uses.
Dealer quoted 650.00 labor and about 150.00 in parts. Something about also replacing the seals on the spark plug seal at the same time. Since they are doing the other work.

 

Yes, replacing the spark plug tube seals is something you should always do while in there, not as an "extra". I'm really surprised by the $900 quote. If I was skittish and I couldn't turn a wrench I wouldn't pay a dollar more than $650 from a reputable shop. Hell, I'd do the work for him for $300 + parts. Difficulty is only maybe a 5 out of 10, maybe a 6. And it'd be a 2 or 3 if it weren't tedious. The worst parts are: Fighting with all the hoses and shit to get them out, cleaning and doing the FIPG, and prying out the spark plug tube gaskets.

I'd also change out the PCV valve ($10~$15) while in there, along with its grommet (~$5).