On Sat/Sunday, replaced the intake manifold gasket and both valve cover gaskets on my daughter's '00 4Runner, with 295K miles. 3.4 V6. A thoroughly miserable job, sucking up both days. The intake has been oozing pink coolant for a couple years, and the valley had globs of coolant and oil sludge in it (here and there - see first pix). All back together (with FelPro gaskets) and not leaking. New spark plugs, PCV, and grommet, too. The last pix shows the roached-out factory gaskets with the orange goop around the water ports.
My daughter get bonus points for sticking through the entire job on Sunday, from 9:30 AM - 6 PM. This is possibly the toughest and most exhausting repair I have ever done, and that includes lots of engine and trans work. The wiring harness plays heck with getting the intake off, and there are plastic wiring looms that shatter and drop chunks into the valley (or the intake ports, if not protected). Frustrating.
We did the timing belt and radiator earlier this summer, and the front brake pads, rotors, and brake booster. So, she's getting the full show on 'how old Toyotas need maintenance and repair'. Anyway - so far, so good.
