top end tune-up

Hey yall!
I've got an '02 Sport Edition with 266K on the original engine/trans. My rig's been leaking some oil lately, and a local (highly trusted) mechanic quoted me $275 to replace both driver/passenger valve cover gaskets. While he's got the top half disassembled, what else should I ask him to replace? Anything relatively cheap in this general location that would help the longevity of my rig? I figured replacing some stuff now may save me some labor time (money) in the future.

So far I'm thinking valve cover gaskets, spark plugs, spark plug tubes, camshaft plugs, intake manifold gasket, PCV valve/seal.

 

Spark Plug Tubes? Just get the whole wire set. Only buy from TOYOTA.

This job is best done when the T-Belt needs replacing. It makes things much easier since the front half of the engine will be off.

For me, I did what you mentioned but also redid all the hoses hoses up top. I got Toyota hoses from a discount on-line dealer...so they were perfectly molded to fit..and were really not that expensive. There is no chance in putting them in the wrong spots. Some of my hoses at 250k miles were rock hard. For the loooong hoses that are not molded, I got NAPA vacuum ones in the correct METRIC sizes. SAE or Fuel hose won't fit the brackets. They will probably have to order them...but my NAPA store was happy to.

Other things I replaced...

The large air tubes for the air box. They were hard as well...but not too bad money wise from TOYOTA.

I replaced the Throttle Body because I was getting an IAC and a TPS error (no IAC on our 2002s...but anyways). That was expensive. $650 from TOYOTA and that's discounted (McGeorge TOYOTA). But unbelievably it fixed like a half dozen driving issues. It comes with a TPS and Pedal position sensor and internal motors, already calibrated so it is quite a beast. It fixed: Surging (especially with AC). Low Idle. Slow throttle response. Hesitation. Bad MPG. And those 2 codes. For a long time you couldn't get the TPS...which I think was really the culprit. TOYOTA said the entire thing was not serviceable...but the correct 4 pin TPS is available on Parts geek for like $45...so I would do that first. But boy...I'm still pleased with my new TB. It just bolted in and the car drives like it did when I bought it new.

I replaced all the o-rings on all the fuel injectors. No, the parts stores don't have ones that fit. I tried and they fit like crap. You need TOYOTA ones as they are thicker and perfect. The boots on the injectors were still good...so no issues there. You will need Crush "washers" for the fuel rails. Get like half a dozen. I kind of wish I had sent my injectors off and gotten back a set of flow tested ones. There are a few places that for like $300 will swap you a set of used but flow tested OEM injectors. For like 150k miles I think I've got one injector that doesn't like to wake up on startup.

You will need 2 of the double layer intake gaskets. Don't reuse the old ones.

I have had my car since new...so I'm a bit invested in it and willing to shell out for the OEM parts. They go 250k miles...why buy something for half price that goes 30k miles?

 

Also looking for parts...I recommend partsouq.com...plug in your vin and then mouse over the images to get the part numbers. Then I put them into McGeorge Toyota and they have about a 30% discount.

You might also find all the part numbers on another site I posted my rebuild of the top end of my car. Same username.

 

K thanks @negusm !! Ill look into all of that. Anybody else got anything?

 

@negusm thanks for the help man! I went with the VCGs, plenum gasket, camshaft seals, PCV, upper rad hose, vacuum hoses, and I got em to clean the throttle body (I'm too cheap to buy a new one hahaha). $540 out the door! Not too bad, if you ask me

 

Well, they sell new TPS units now at partsgeek.com for the 2001-2002 TB. I would replace that now that you have it clean. The TB doesn't have to come off.