If the front one is leaking, don't you think the rear is leaking too?
I had a 1MZ Toyota, and the leaking rear valve cover gasket started to foul the spark plugs to the point it would misfire
FelPro vs OEM valve cover gasket
- Thread starter MaximaGuy
- Start date
If the front one is leaking, don't you think the rear is leaking too?
I had a 1MZ Toyota, and the leaking rear valve cover gasket started to foul the spark plugs to the point it would misfire
If the front one is leaking, don't you think the rear is leaking too?
I had a 1MZ Toyota, and the leaking rear valve cover gasket started to foul the spark plugs to the point it would misfire
Its the front as the compressor is wet and so is the pan and the rear is clean (clean for now, went under and checked the rear cover).
I’ll try Mahle next, thanks for the tip.
The OP's Highlander being an 06 the valve cover gasket (assuming it's the original) has probably hardened quite a bit. Sometimes you can get away with just retorquing the valve cover bolts and the leak with go away even with a old gasket. Personally I've never had an issue with Fel-Pro valve cover gaskets, Fel-Pro is a good brand and valve cover gaskets aren't rocket science to get right.
The price difference doesn't necessarily mean a thing. The OEM stuff is almost always sold at a markup. It's also extremely unlikely Toyota is manufacturing gaskets in-house, so that "OEM" gasket is coming from one of the major gasket manufacturers anyway. Private labeling is something all those manufacturers do. Often times, the products can be exactly the same with large price differences. I can't give you a direct gasket to gasket comparison, but can provide quite a few instances of the same tool being sold at a much higher cost because a different brand name is printed on it.
Here's one example:
50oz deadblow ball peen from Trusty Cook(the manufacturer) - $66.00
50 oz. Dead Blow Ball Peen Hammer
Features a heavy duty 40 oz steel-faced head and no-slip polyurethane handle for maximum striking power on metalworking jobs. Threadless for durability.
trustycook.com
Same hammer private labeled by SK tools - https://sktools.com/shop/50-oz-dead-blow-steel-face-ball-peen-hammer.html - $151.71
I typed the prices out to save you the trouble of clicking the links. Quite the price difference for that SK name.
That said, I would look at Toyota specific forums to see what they have to say about FP gaskets in your particular application rather than letting someone's generalization on here be your deciding factor.
On things where the Fel-Pro is an improvement over OE or if the COO is verified made in USA, I see nothing wrong with them. Even though I'm not a professional wrench, I've had hit or miss with Fel-Pro if the part is made overseas or doesn't match OE construction.
I used OEM on my parent's van - it's not a fun task working on a transverse V6. And in some cases like Honda, the price difference between the OEM gasket and Fel-Pro(not including grommets or plug tube seals) isn't that much.
I used OEM on my parent's van - it's not a fun task working on a transverse V6. And in some cases like Honda, the price difference between the OEM gasket and Fel-Pro(not including grommets or plug tube seals) isn't that much.
Fel-pro, at least the Honda J-Series cover gaskets are garbage. 6 months and they were leaking again on my TL. And its not a matter of being too loose or tight, you cannot over tighten the gaskets on these cars. The bolts are stepped and bottom out at a certain point. Their tube seals have been fine, but I'll not use the gaskets.
When I did the toyoa v6 I used Felpro. They were reddish color and made in Japan. From memory the service manual said a sealant is required in one corner. The Felpro said not required if I remember right, and I didn't and no more leaks. Might want to shop around for a better price that sounds wrong $44. You may need to add the sealant in the corner.
My Toyota 3rz engine 2.7 the Felpro valve cover gasket is made in Japan too so don't know what is going on. Mine came in the head gasket set.
My Toyota 3rz engine 2.7 the Felpro valve cover gasket is made in Japan too so don't know what is going on. Mine came in the head gasket set.
Bringing this back to life: I've been watching lots of Youtube on replacing valve cover gasket on Acura/Honda V-6 and most of them shows leaky aftermarket gaskets and would prefer and/or some changed to Honda gasket. I'm about to do my 11 MDX. It is not only the cost but the availability of the gaskets. Complete set of Felpro VS50773R $37.30 (Advance auto -25%) vs Honda online $101.67 (1-2 weeks). I have the Felpro in my hand contemplating using it today. Decision, decision....... I plan to keep this car for another 5 yrs minimum.
I just had a Mahle here last week that was made in Vietnam.
I've always had success with Mahle and Felpro. Even in Asian applications. The replacements always appear to be of a better quality and different material than OE. At least, a fair sight better than the old, crumbly black, hard as nails stuff from the factory.
I just did an oil filter plate bypass gasket in a Felpro that was a GM factory fitted oil cooler line set. (On the side of the pan right above the filter boss) The OE gasket that pressed between the boss and cooler block was oval, steel, with nitrile (I think) grommets in just the passage holes.
The Felpro was the same shape, steel underneath... but entirely encapsulated in a thin rubber. Both the bolt holes for the line block and the oil cooler line holes had an in-cast rubber grommet. Essentially a triple seal and gasket kit. Snugged it up to spec...(In inch-pounds... it doesn't take much!) Dry as a bone.
If it lasts on that for another 17~18 years like the OE part? Gravy!
If not? Really. It's not expensive or difficult to swap again.
Edit: Still waiting for a good 4 hour span of clear weather. I've got a Felpro valve cover gasket kit w/grommets and a fresh oil filter and oil change just *dying* to go into service. I'll post unedited engine porn while she's opened up. I cannot speak to is life before I have kept her, but I've done right by the manual and OLM for the past 4 years. Full synthetics, OEM+ level of filters. Will the 12k miles of ownership been productive? Was it's first 168k miles been totally abhorrent? The mind boggles. Nails will be chewed. Dogs will lay in peace in the presence of cats. The mysteries of...
Not really. I do expect a decently clean valvetrain though. ^.^
If not, I expect my BITOG bros and sisters to just dog pile on my butt.
I just did an oil filter plate bypass gasket in a Felpro that was a GM factory fitted oil cooler line set. (On the side of the pan right above the filter boss) The OE gasket that pressed between the boss and cooler block was oval, steel, with nitrile (I think) grommets in just the passage holes.
The Felpro was the same shape, steel underneath... but entirely encapsulated in a thin rubber. Both the bolt holes for the line block and the oil cooler line holes had an in-cast rubber grommet. Essentially a triple seal and gasket kit. Snugged it up to spec...(In inch-pounds... it doesn't take much!) Dry as a bone.
If it lasts on that for another 17~18 years like the OE part? Gravy!
If not? Really. It's not expensive or difficult to swap again.
Edit: Still waiting for a good 4 hour span of clear weather. I've got a Felpro valve cover gasket kit w/grommets and a fresh oil filter and oil change just *dying* to go into service. I'll post unedited engine porn while she's opened up. I cannot speak to is life before I have kept her, but I've done right by the manual and OLM for the past 4 years. Full synthetics, OEM+ level of filters. Will the 12k miles of ownership been productive? Was it's first 168k miles been totally abhorrent? The mind boggles. Nails will be chewed. Dogs will lay in peace in the presence of cats. The mysteries of...
Not really. I do expect a decently clean valvetrain though. ^.^
If not, I expect my BITOG bros and sisters to just dog pile on my butt.
Last edited:
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2024
Fel Pro or Mahle is who I normally use. Don’t see a reason to go OEM with gaskets but that’s just my experience. We used OEM back in my dealership days but that’s because it was a dealership. Fel Pro is my preferred choice. I use them whenever I need a gasket.
I
IME with fel-pro in that application, plan to re-do it in a few years.
Attachments
the blue looks cool
That's what sold me!the blue looks cool
Well, I messed up on 3 plug seal gaskets ; Intalled wrong. All the stores carry the kit not the seal. Getting some Beck/Arnley from Amazon.
B/A and Fel Pro are both owned by Federal Mogul. Let us know if the gaskets are the same. Sometimes the B/A parts are sourced from OE/OEM vendors.
I don't want to fight with the wiring harness in a few years so I order these oem today for the MDX and use Felpro Cover Grommets as well. Will use the beautiful blue gasket for the Accord. Will store the extra set of oem gaskets for the RDX.
| 12351-R70-A00 | GASKET, RR. HEAD COVER | 2 | 14.07 | $28.14 |
| 12341-R70-A00 | Gasket, Front Head Cover | 2 | 14.07 | $28.14 |
| 12342-RYE-004 | SEAL, SPARK PLUG TUBE (NOK) | 9 | 2.59 | $23.31 |
| 12341-R40-A00 | Gasket, Head Cover | 1 | 12.63 | $12.63 |
| 91307-RCA-A01 | O-Ring (10.2X1.8) | 1 | 2.08 | $2.08 |
| 91308-RCA-A01 | O-Ring (14.8X1.8) | 1 | 3.26 | $3.26 |
| 15613-R70-A00 | Gasket, Oil Filler | 1 | 2.33 | $2.33 |
| Subtotal | $99.89 | |||
| Shipping | $10.36 | |||
| Total | $110.25 |
Similar threads
