Stupid question - valve cover

[wallyuwl]

I've used the search function on this site (and toyotanation) and didn't find anything. So, sort of a stupid question...How do you take off the valve cover? Is it as simple as removing the five or so (I haven't counted) bolts holding it on? And while it is off, should I replace the gasket right away (120k miles, it has never been off)? What should the bolts be torqued to when I put the cover back on? I want to check the valves at this mileage just to make sure they are clean. Should be considering my OCI but want to make sure.

[joatmon]

You didn't say, so I searched, I think you have an 03 1ZZin the PDF file attached in page 3 of thread http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=8160 you would need to do steps 1-6 and 16-18 to change the valve cover gasket. Torque specs listed in step 16.Its easy enough to check the valve clearances, adjusting them is a lot more work. You said you wanted to "check the valves just to make sure they are clean" You can see the cams by pulling the valve cover. When people talk about dirty valves, it usually relates to combustion deposits on the valve surfaces, and to see that you'd need to pull the head (or gets some sort of fiber optic lighted scope thing to stick in the spark plug hole)

[wallyuwl]

Thanks joatmon that was very helpful.The only thing I'm unsure of is the "seal packing" in step 16. Did you do that part? Is it necessary? Is it something that needs to be gotten from the dealer, or will some type of Permatex sealant work (and if so, what type)? Also, any idea what torque the spark plugs need to be torqued to? I changed them a couple years ago but didn't have a torque wrench then so I sort of did it by feel making sure not to get them too tight. Have had no problems, but if I'm going to have everything off anyway might as well check them. Thanks.