Replacing Front And Rear Valve Cover Gaskets On A 2004-2010 Toyota Sienna With 3.3l Engine 

Excellent vid! You explain things just like I am standing there right next to you while you are working. It feels like a one on one lesson.

This is an amazingly helpful video!! I like to have things printed out. So here are my notes documenting it. Key time stamps included. I'm a DIYer, not a mechanic. I've watched this video twice and will have my notes with me. Prep for rear valve cover 1. Remove wiper blades, caps and 13mm nuts (0:13)
 [Take note of their position for later reinstall, perhaps mark spot on glass with masking tape.] 2. Remove plastic windshield box cover, pull clips, (1:00)
 3. Unplug electrical cable in middle, pull cable free from frame (1:32)
 4. Pull cable through grommet hole. (1:48)
 5. Unbolt wiper assembly 4x 10mm bolts (2:00)
 6. Unbolt metal tray, bracket with 10mm bolts (2:34)
 7. Remove array of 10mm bolts
 Removal of front valve cover begins 8. Remove engine cover, 3x 5mm hex (3:18)
 9. [Take reference pictures!! This will help with reinstalling hoses later etc.]
 10. Vacuum!!! Avoid debris issues
 11. Remove coils, 10mm bolts (3:29)
 12. Unbolt E6 torx to remove wiring harness (3:38)
 13. Take vent line off
 14. Remove 10mm fasteners around valve cover, flex radiator hose out of the way (4:00)
 15. Lift out the valve cover. Clean up edges !!
 1. Scrape off old silicone by cam lobes
 16. Rip out / remove half moon thing (5:56)
 17. Clean cover and then replace gaskets
 1. Bend little prongs out of the way (6:17)
 Putting back the front valve cover begins 18. Place black sealant at correct spots (6:58) [place cover within a few minutes after applying sealant]
 1) Two corners of the “cam lobes” 2) half moon 3) lip/edge (2x spots)
 19. Reinstall but don’t tighten!. Check everything with a dental mirror!! (8:00)
 20. Reinstall 10 mm fasteners around valve cover. Criss Cross pattern! Quarter turn to snug. (71 inch pounds is 5.9 foot pounds)
 21. Reinstall E6 torx for wiring harness 
 22. Install coils (9:15)
 More clearing a path to the rear valve cover 23. Unplug mass air flow sensor (9:25)
 24. Remove air box, hose clamps etc. remove vacuum lines. 
 25. Remove throttle body facing (4x bolts), let hang with lines attached (9:59)
 26. Remove 2nd part throttle body, side bolt plus 5 front bolts (?)
 Remove left side hose, move throttle body part off to the side with hose attached.
 27. Unbolt vacuum manifold 10mm (11:20), flip forwards out of the way.
 28. On manifold, unplug hoses
 29. Start removing the 12mm bolts working your way to the 14mm bolt of back pain (12:01)
 Optional but maybe helpful, loosen or remove nuts on pressure feed tube
 This pressure tube is partially in the way of the 14mm bolt
 Going under the van to loosen bolts is mentioned here in the video. 
 30. One last clean up, vacuum, blow away loose debris. Don’t let junk fall into engine!!
 31. Remove 8mm allen/hex screws on top
 32. Remove 14mm nuts on two corners of bracket; then remove the metal bracket.
 You can leave the electrical ground strap attached.
 33. Optional but helpful: remove e8 studs. Removing these studs helps pull plenum easier.
 34. With plenum lifted but not fully removed, Remove PCV hose on back left of intake
 35. Fully pull out plastic manifold (aka, intake air surge tank) (14:44)
 36. Safety tip!!! Cover up the ports with rags!!
 37. Remove coils (14:48)
 38. Loosen / Remove wire loom from studs
 39. Unplug fuel injectors
 40. Remove wiring harness; plastic clips on left, 10mm bolts on back (15:40)
 41. go under the van and loosen (but not fully undo) the surge tank stay bottom bolts.
 1. You want this to create the clearance to remove the valve cover, the hangers then move out of the way (15:52)
 2. Tip: check if it is now possible to loosen the bottom hanger bolts from the top. This will save you jack up time and going underneath if you can reach from the top. Otherwise, go underneath safely and loosen the bottom bolts.
 42. Remove valve cover bolts, then pry up with screw driver (16:17)
 Cleaning rear valve cover 43. Lift out the valve cover. Clean up edges !!
 1. Scrape off old silicone by cam lobes
 44. Remove out / remove half moon thing 
 45. Clean cover, half moon and then install new gaskets
 1. Bend little prongs out of the way
 Putting back the Rear valve cover begins 46. Reapply new silicone (17:28)
 47. Push wiring harness out of way
 48. Reinstall valve cover but don’t tighten!. Check everything with a dental mirror!! You don’t want leaks!
 1. Especially check the back right with mirror. (18:47)
 2. Optional but perhaps helpful, check gasket from under the vehicle.
 49. Once done checking, tighten valve cover bolts, crisscross starting in center. 
 Putting it all back together 50. Place ignition coils in place (19:30)
 51. Place wiring harness in place
 52. Plug in fuel injector clips back into injectors, remount plastic studs onto holders (19:49)
 53. Remove rag and look inside ports to make sure nothing fell in. (20:05)
 54. Replace plenum gasket.
 55. Put manifold back in place. Do PCV hose first (20:29)
 56. Put metal bracket in, then install studs/bolts. Allen nuts first, then 14mm in corners 
 57. Torque the bolts to 21 foot pounds. 
 58. Flip vacuum switch plate back into place, 10mm bolts (21:38)
 59. Plug left & right side vacuum lines in. Check hood sticker for reference.
 60. 14mm bolt on left side bracket is hardest, do it by hand first. Then ratchet down. (22:00)
 61. Reinstall inner throttle body, torque to 21 ft lbs. (22:54)
 62. Plug in side vacuum hose on throttle body (23:04)
 63. Install bolt on side bracket
 64. Install outer throttle body, torque to 11 ft lbs (23:28)
 65. Put hose / air boot back on, reinstall vacuum lines / vent hose
 66. Make sure mass air flow sensor (MAF) is reinstalled
 67. Visually double check everything!!
 68. Go underneath vehicle and tighten bottom hanger bolts, torque 14 ft lbs (24:28)
 69. Install top engine cover
 Reinstall wiper stuff (24:50) 10. 10mm bolts for metal tray, torque to 66 inch pounds (5.4 ft lbs)
 11. Install wiper motor assembly, 49 inch pounds
 12. Feed wires back through the hole. Re install wires. 
 13. Double check everything is back in place
 14. Reinstall plastic panel top cover with clips 
 15. Reinstall wiper arms
, 15 ft lbs.

It's a good idea to replace the spark plugs as part of this job.

Mission complete! Probably the biggest engine job I’ve done in a long time. The hardest part where is the back bolts coming from underneath. Thank you very much for not just the video, but the step-by-step instructions on where you did it. Totally could not have done it without your help.

CAUTION: VALVE COVER BOLTS 8.8 Ft/LBS or 106 INCH/LBS. Love your work it was very informative and helped me get the job done. A word of caution for anybody following this. TORQUE THE VALVE COVER PROPERLY. I followed the advise to bottom the bolts out but I never felt the bottom and broke one off in the very back using a small 1/4 ratchet driver. After that I took all the other bolts out and replaced them with new ones and torqued them to spec. Couldn't get the broken one out. Used the RTV on that corner and we'll see if she leaks.

you should truly be proud of how much effort you put in this , this was litteraly a step by step guide an help me out so much man thank you brain !

I have watched several videos doing valve cover gaskets on Toyota V6, and this is the best. This is about the same difficulty with RX300 which I've just did recently. When I worked on this, I also replace spark plugs, throttle cleaning, IAC valve cleaning, electrical wires recondition, coolant change, cleaning around the block etc... and it took me more than a day to finish.

Excellent tutorial, definitely one of best step by step DIY. As someone earlier said, seems like I'm standing next to you and you are teaching me. Huge thanks.

best video i've found for working on the 3.3L V6 Toyota engines. I have a 2005 Toyota highlander and the process was exactly the same.

I just replaced the gasket over the weekend. Very concise and exact information on this video. Thanks.

Thanks for the great detail video. Now I'm more confident to replace both gaskets + knock sensor,

Excellent video, couldn't have done it without the guidance, took me a long time though, about the most tedious work I have done on my 04 Sienna, thank you.

Great video. Same procedure to change out the spark plugs on many of the Toyota V6's in this configuration.

That was excellent. Thank you for your time to record and edit all of this.

Thanks for this. Clear and deliberate presentation. Convinced this 68-yr-old it is too much for me. Done almost everything else on cars -radiator, wiper motor, O2 sensors, exhaust, heater core, radios, brakes, door parts, etc. Never opened up an engine before, so just gonna go as long as I can, then pay the $600 to local shop.

I just followed your video and changed my front gasket…only because of time. But it worked!! And the van worked better than ever! Thank you so, so much!!! You saved me thousands!

Great job explaining everything on the video and how to do the valve cover gaskets. You saved me a lot of time 👍👍 I just finished mine since the vehicle was new, 2006 with 186K miles.

Thank you for your video!! I was able to successfully do this job on our 2004 Sienna with your instructions. Not only saved us some money but also provides a sense of accomplishment. Thanks again.

thank you! i have to do this job on my grams van, the sideways mount v6 seemed intimidating as hell. thank you for this video!!! saved me almost 500 bucks!

Took me all day since I didn't have a ratcheting wrench set. Couldn't have done it without this video. Thanks !

I hope that is a once-in-the-life-of-the-van job. Took me about 4 hours by myself. I found it odd that getting that p. side upper intake support bracket back on was easier than getting it off. Also, I didn't remove the intake studs, just the allen-head bolts and nuts. Having a couple little elastic cords to hold things out of the way was very helpful. Thanks again for making the video.

Excellent video! I'll be doing this soon on a 2006 Highlander 3.3L; not looking forward to it! My main interest was if the intake had to be removed and what gaskets/ seals were needed. Thanks for sharing!

Great Video. I have a 2006 Toyota Sienna that needs a new valve cover gasket for the front head, but since I also need to replace the spark plugs, this would be an efficient way to do the back valve cover gasket as well, knocking both jobs out since the disassembly is nearly the same. And, while everything is apart, it is a perfect opportunity to do a good cleaning of the throttle body.

Im not a mechanic AT ALL but with that being said i probably know more than half em working today but this video did help me complete this , this past weekend on my wifes 2004 sienna. I did all 6 of her spark plugs a few years ago so i wasnt that lost but never did a valve cover gasket Job . Thanks for all the info......as i always say having the right tools is 90% of the job

BRIAN, Good video and info the step by step you showed is really helpful to who ever want to do this job by himself great hand own teaching thanks for sharing. cheeeeeers

THANK YOU SO MUCH for such a detailed video!!! If you’re not teaching …. You should. Community college offering mechanic courses could really use someone like you!!!

Great video!!!!! I am using this video to further explain things concerning my 2007 Highlander with the 3.3L engine. The other videos concerning my Highlander are missing some cool details that you mention in your video. Thanks so much!!!

Awesome video! Best I have ever seen on replacing Valve Cover and Manifold gasket(s) on a Toyota (my Lexus Rx330 is a Sienna replica). Recommendation for those going to do this; replace PCV valve (only $5 item), and (carefully) clean throttle body before reassembly.

I'm going to be taking this job on tomorrow! Your instructions make me confident that I'll be able to do it!

Used this video to do my valve cover gasket on my 2006 toyota solara 3.3l and it was some work but this video saved me plenty of time!! I recommend buyinhg a couple extra of those blue rings that come with the vale cover gasket as i broke two trying to get mine in (really had to push hard)

Brian, thank you very much for the details in your video. It was just what I needed to replace the valve cover gaskets on my 2006 Sienna. I replaced the plugs too while I had everything apart. :)

About to tackle this project on my Highlander and after watching an endless amount of videos of Toyota valve covers/spark plugs I have to say this is the best most detailed one.

Great video! Used it this week to do the job. Thank you!

This is the best video I've seen to convince a DIY'er to take his van to a mechanic. "It's just a coupla' seals. How hard could it be?"

This is unparaelled detail. You going to be a general in heaven 100%.

That was ridiculously informative and very well put together! Thank you

Excellent video I was able to complete the job

Great video! I think that cylinder 4 has an issue, I replaced mine on my 2005 Sienna, too! luckily is in the front.

Brian, thank you sooooooo much. I relied on your video the most. The rear valve cover gasket replacement was the most frustrating ever. I must have stated every expletive in existence. But I finished and there was no MIL light. Vehicle runs great. No more oil leakage on my 223K mileage Sienna. Hope it lasts to 300K. But I have to change the timing belt/water pump next. I have confidence now.

Your how-to vid is very efficient for the user. I was able to back up several times to follow the details. THANKS! Just one question. I'll follow your procedure to access and correct a misfire in the #5 cylinder. Is it indeed necessary or best to remove the throttle body in two pieces?

Perfect. I am actually doing knock sensors and was so confused by others. Thanks so much!!!

Good work god bless You and family

This is a great video, I was stressing about doing this job on my 06 sienna but with what little experience I have I feel confident to attempt it. You said in a comment it was about a $400 job with parts and labor but when I called the Toyota dealership a while back I believe they quoted me $2300. Wow so definitely Savin some money trying it hopefully. Thanks a lot.

Fantastic job! Super helpful!

Excellent video. I love the way you not only show the removal but also putting everything back together. I did the front on mine but have not tackled the rear yet. Looks like a real PITA. I have to wait until I can have the car out of service for a few days. Just in case of unexpected issues. This video will be a great help. Thanks.

Gracias maestro muy claro y bien explicado. Excelente.

What crack were Toyota engineers smoking when they shoehorned this V6 into the Sienna?

I did mine with your advise thank you so much! 2008 Sienna.

Great video, simple and step by step. Just the bolt behind manifold is 12 in my case not 14. Just be ready guys to change some gaskets and hoses, some are fried, I replaced pcv valve in my 2005, it was dirty as hell. And be very gentle with valve cover bolts because they get broken easily. Cleaning oil around the engine is very easy with diesel, not that stuff is sold at the store, that's not work well as diesel.

Gotta be the best how to video ever! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

Great video and info - thank you so much!

Your video is helpful and well articulated. Has anyone else mentioned that in your video you have demonstrated popping off the rings holding the seals. Why did you not lift the tabs to allow the metal Well rings to come out more efficiently ? Did anyone mention that you did not demonstrate replacing the rings over the seals afterwards.

Excelente video y explicación! Muchas gracias, me ha ayudado mucho. Blessings!

great in dept video thanks for sharing

Excellent lecture! thankyou!

Brilliant video. Thanks!

This is a fantastic video. However, you should really consider changing the title. This job must have been done on a 2004-2007 Sienna because you can tell by the engine bay that it is a 3MZ-FE which is a 3.3L V6. In late 2007, Toyota changed the engine to the 3.5L V6 2GR-FE and it stayed that way at least until 2010. The 2GR-FE makes the job a bit more challenging. First, the wiring harness runs on top of both valve covers and you have VVT oil control valves (2) and cam shaft position sensors (2) on top of each valve cover that contribute more to the complexity of the job. Not only do you have to remove all those connections, but you likely have to disconnect the wiring harness from the alternator so that you can move it completely out of the way to get rear cover off. The valve covers themselves are a bit different as well. There is no half moon piece that you have to worry about. Only need to place gasket compound on the spots where the timing chain cover mates with the cylinder heads. Also, because the 2GR-FE covers have thos VVT oil control valves, you have additional seals that you need to install. You also have VVTI oil lines that attach to both covers that need the metal seals replaced. For this reason, the valve cover gasket kit for Siennas between 2007-2010 is a completely different Fel-Pro part # (VS50682R). So for all the reasons above, I would change this video title to 2004-2007 instead.

Great best video on RU-vid!!

Wow... excellent work! ✌😀 I can change the oil , air filter, cabin filter and swap out the battery and that's it 😀🚙

Well done. That's pretty much what I would do.

Extremely helpful video, thanks for taking the time. On the same engine have you ever done the intake cam gears for the vvti? My 2006 is noisy and not getting the same Mileage as before. I was told it won’t hurt anything important but I recently had to replace both cat converters and I think that was the reason. Is it worth doing and do you have any tips?

Getting ready to tackle this job. Only thing I'm concerned with I'm not working on the lift. So those back bolts you loosen up so those brackets move around to get the intake off. Did you disconnect the wire to the power steering up? Good video thanks

You ROCK! Thank you!

I had a sienna with the valve cover gaskets leaking just a little. I regretted not just fixing it (and some of the other things wrong with it) and keeping the vehicle (it was so handy hauling all kinds of stuff). Seeing what it takes to repair, glad I got rid of it.

Great video and great help

Great video thanks came in handy for me😊

Wow! Job well done!

get the matco, 6" extended head ratchet, its amazing bro, the 1/4" and 3/8, got em both

Thanks for this video it really helped ❤

Thank you for all the info throughout this step by step detailed video... this gave me a bit more confidence to do this job on my 15 Sienna very similar to this engine. Thanks!

Wow. This is a big job!

Great video!!!

Excellent job!

Thanks a lot!!! It is an excellent help!!!!

Looks like I won't be checking the gaskets while looking at a used vehicle to buy hahaha! Bookmarking the video in case I do end up with a Sienna though. Great job!

EXCELLENT JOB

Thank you so much for you explain things, save money a lot than cost expensive dealer or Shop. I appreciate it, I will order your shirt support you thank you so much

Why I love 4 cylinder cars.

Cover bolts go to 8nm or 69 in lbs. I do plugs and coils also. Good video.

Hi Brian, thank you for the video. What type of silicone are you using? Permatex black silicone package is showing not to be used for gasketing.

Great video as these videos go. If you could do a timing belt with water pump(same year range) etc..would be great as there are videos but not a clear step by step like this..

Nice video. I wonder if the wiper panel really needs to be out of the way? I am inspired by the diy video.

Thank for the video. Really helpful in preparing to change both front/rear valve gasket. My question, I have a 2005 Highlander with a V6 3.3L engine. Will your procedure work the same. I am hoping it will Thanks again

Great walkthrough! Any chance you'd know where I can get those exact male e6 torx bolts @3:45 online? A Toyota parts dealership pointed me to a version with the bolt, but it didn't have that "nut" on there.

Is it any different on the 3.5L Siennas? Who makes the best Gasket set these days, FEL PRO still? which silicone set with plug seals for an 07 Sienna LE 3.5L would you go with? Also, what is your fav spark plug for the Sienna? The OEM toyota denso or The NGK laser Iradium, or the NGK Iradium IX? I'm looking for the best Sparkplug so I don't have to rip apart this van again anytime soon...It's hot as hell in Florida. Awesome vids man, Thank you in advance.

Awesome video. If the engine is seized how do you take the I transmission bolts out tho.

Thank you for the video. I need to change my knock sensor, and the disassembly of the intake and all was helpful, especially about going under the car to loosen the bracket. I have a question about the bracket. It seems that reaching behind the plenum is one of the more challenging parts of the job because you have to do it blind. Do you think if I just went under and loosened the bracket from the bottom, that I can still get the plenum out without having to mess with the three bolts by the firewall? Would that make the job easier?

Thank you brother help me alot

I have this engine in my camry, very helpful, but did you drain the oil first jw or is that how it looks? Just asking so I know what to do lol

Nice video

I tackled the front but afraid to do the rear

You are the best

I just completed this job on a 06 Toyota Solara. Perfect video and I appreciate it. Question: what if the spark plug seals put in backwards, would this cause an issue?

I"ve got 141K on my Sienna with a leaky front cover. I'm assuming it would be smart to do timing belt, water pump, cam seals, valve cover gaskets and plugs all at the same time...right? Previous maintenance is up to date.

the vacuum line diagram sticker is on the cowl.. the high pressure line is held on to the surge tank also, - one nut is on the tank ( you must take this off to access the starboard side upper brace bolt in the rear) other than that thanks!!

any suggestions on removing stripped 6 e torx studs? btw very well edited.

sweet ! thank you ? Excellent

Where’s the flier link the tools you use for vcg seal the circle one ? Pls and thank you.

Is the blue gasket supposed to be exposed after tightening the cover bolts? Can there be a leak if tighten too tight?

I did this job on a 04 highlander, good vid