How to Install an FJ80 Valve Cover Gasket

Disconnect the battery before working on your engine.

The valves in a Toyota FJ80 Land Cruiser regulate the amount of fuel that enters the vehicle's combustion chamber. If the valves get dirty or are damaged, they can cause the pistons to misfire. To protect the valves, and your engine, the FJ80 Land Cruiser is equipped with a valve cover, which is fitted with a gasket to help secure the valve cover's seal. Over time, the valve cover gasket can degrade, especially if the engine is left idle for long periods of time. Replacing that cover is relatively cheap and easy to perform.

Things You'll Need

• Socket wrench set
• Flat-head screwdriver
• Shop rag

Instructions

1. Loosen and disconnect the battery cables with a socket wrench. Remove the air hose if it is the way. In some FJ80s, the air hose obstructs access to the valve cover. The air hose can be removed by loosening the silver clip with a flat-head screwdriver, and then pulling the air hose away by hand.

2. Remove the six bolts that run across the valve cover with a six-mm socket wrench.

3. Pull the valve cover off of the engine mount by hand. Remove the gasket from the valve by hand.

4. Squeeze a bead of gasket sealant onto the cover, and press the new gasket into the cover. Replace the cover. Reattach the battery.

References

• Changing Drive Belts on a 3FE Powered 3FE Powered Toyota FJ80 Land Cruiser
• Toyota Land Cruiser FJ80 3FE Rebuild Progress Report