You can post now and register later. Renting Hey there, thanks for writing in about your 2000 Ford Mustang. The FIPG will be around the half moons and the 2 corner spots where the cam housing is. Thanks a million. Brake fluid is potentially toxic and always flammable. This was extremely hard for me to remove since it's behind the bracket. Our certified mobile mechanics come to you 7 days a week between 7 AM and 9 PM. View related parts. Part 1 - 2007 Lexus LS460 - 4.6 - RIGHT Side Valve Cover Gasket Replacement - YouTube For MORE great Auto Repair Videos, visit us at www.OnlineAutoRepairVideos.com PART 1 - Video series. Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST. No need for pliers. Then go to the top right corner and using the screwdriver gently lift up the right corner. I really think you can just loosen the bolts slightly and gently bend the tubes slightly out of the way, putting them back after the valve cover is wriggled back in. Lexus LS 460. After the seals are in, tap the claws back into their original positions with a hammer. In order to get the valve covers off there are many parts that 2023 There are 4 on the top, 4 on the bottom, and one to the right just left of the timing belt cover near the RH cam. If you are a citizen and not registered to vote, you may pick up a Registration Form at the City Clerk's Office at City Hall (6136 Adobe Road). Various laws apply depending upon the type of record. Also, if you have moved, you need to notify the Registrar of Voters Office of that information. 3. Lets treat this like a two-part question. It will get you to the point where you can inspect and adjust the valve clearances I have taken the tranny dipstick out before and it is a royal pain(sorry to her 'Highness', Steve). Started 14 hours ago, By My Lexus Rx 330 drags to accelerate when the engine is cold, BEST Place to SELL 1994 LS400 LEXUS with 166,000+/- miles. 2023 13,000 miles, $206 - Would valve cover gaskets leaking have any impact on smog testing? can be started. 10. Well, the guru Landar has convinced me to do a tutorial and so here goes. The oil did not look new, although that's probably not that easy to judge. Started 14 hours ago, By Lexus LS460 Valve Cover Gasket Replacement Cost The average cost for a Lexus LS460 valve cover gasket replacement is between $302 and $367. Whatever was he doing? 1) Disconnect battery, remove air intake and engine covers . The car is a 1998 LS400 with 118,000 miles on the clock. Waste disposal is mandatory in the City of Twentynine Palms. Follow steps 3-9. View the California State requirements for recycling for more information. the front gasket was easy, but on the rear, I cannot figure out how to move the electrical wiring harness that runs acros . But, you should be able to tell that something is wrong. Wriggle it around and soon they will pop out. When I look back it would have been much easier to hammer them out, just like they get It is much easier prying from the inner part. clearances is an 8 hour job for an official Lexus mechanic so that means it's going to take you much longer. The valve cover gaskets are not super critical so unless they are leaking badly, you can wait for warmer weather or more money in the bank account. 2. Since you have codes that both banks are lean then the problem will most likely be from air entering the intake manifold after the mass air sensor. Thats where the radiator comes in. Then, clean the tube seal housing of all oil and debris using brake cleaner. PLEASE VERIFY ANY INFORMATION IN QUESTION WITH A SALES REPRESENTATIVE. Started February 16, 2022, By So, if your nose picks up a weird burning scent, you might have a valve cover gasket issue. DO NOT REMOVE THE OIL TUBE AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TUBE (unless you love punishment. The bolts are a little hard to get to under the engine wires so use your angled sockets and extensions. Guys, I'm in the middle of my timing belt replacement and with everything removed, I can really see that my driver side valve cover gasket has been leaking for a long time. The leak could be as simple as loose valve cover bolts but it would be nice to have new gaskets in there when the job is complete. Additions to non-residential buildings or structures of at least 1,000 square feet or alterations with an estimated construction cost of at least $200,000. The average cost for a Lexus LS400 valve cover gasket replacement is between $195 and $259. Lexus Valve Cover Gaskets Replacement from $9 | CarParts.com Anyway, yes, I checked the oil level before I drove off, and it was kind of hard to read, because it was higher on one side of the stick than the other. I am a trusting sole in that way..not. The Which I am not equipped to do. Use whatever angle and contortionist abilities you have to remove the bolts. Drop it off at our shop and pick it up a few hours later, or save time and have our Delivery mechanics come to you. That was before I found a Lex-trained indie mechanic with better rates. How did you get that bolt back on? Isabella83 Any leak, of course, means your oil level is dropping as you drive the car. mattmoreland Ecu not sending signal to spark plug harness? I'll reuse mine thank you until I absolutely have to change them. The first 3 seals took me an hour or so. YourMechanic All rights reserved. There will probably be some oil in the groove for And now I could do these in my sleep. A proactive approach to maintaining the life of an engine should include a check for oil around the valve cover. Carefully wriggle the VC out. I scraped the remainder off with my fingernail. After the VC is out, this will be a great time to remove and replace the PCV valve, grommet, hose and cover and not have to worry about shattered plastic falling onto your camshafts. Battery was replaced in less than time quoted & he checked several other items to make sure everything looked ok. Will definitely be using this again, LS460 2014 - Tire Rotation - Deerfield Beach, FL, LS460 2010 - Trunk does not lock or open - Pearland, TX. I wasn't sure how they were held in place when I removed them so I cut them out. The 4 that run along the top and the one on the side near the LH Cam gear were easy to remove. It's been five weeks since the oil change and the level on the dipstick has dropped maybe 1/2 inch? 23) Install the valve cover and 8 bolts with a new seal washer on each bolt. An old rubber grommet is a potential leak source, as well as connections to the PCV valve. The repair manual Out of 2 Valve Cover Gasket products for the Lexus LS460, the most popular in our inventory are: Ishino Stone Valve Cover Gasket from $17.48 Ishino Stone Ishino Stone Valve Cover Gasket from $33.12 DieHard Batteries For Auto, Marine, Motorcycles and More - DieHard is America's Most Trusted Battery. To prepare the bolts for reinstallation, you will need to remove the grommets, which are now rock hard and no longer pliable. Second: Whats a gasket? I don't know how that correlates to quantity of oil. The engine valve cover is typically the topmost part of an engine and is marked with either the name of the manufacturer or the size of the engine. Join the Lexus Owners Club and be part of the Community. Take your time, and you will get them all undone. Fast and easy service at your home or office, Backed by 12-month, 12.000-mile guarantee. In order to get the valve covers off there are many parts that need to be removed. Waste disposal is mandatory in the City of Twentynine Palms. Ballpark is fine. 0. JK Great info and pics. It sounds like you have a brake shoe (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/brake-system-inspection) that has come apart and is dragging on the brake drum. 4. Either jimmy it up at reassembly with tape or buy new replacements. My dealer charged me five hours when the same repair was done in 2004. If you do not actually move the tranny tube too much, it should not be a huge issue but plan on a few cuss words getting that bolt back in. Genesis GV70 Service In Winter Haven, FL. Engine Valves and Cylinder Heads Replacement, Private: Tire Pressure Sensor Replacement. This car has never burnt oil or lost oil, ever. Again, like the half moons, you may want to reseal the bearing caps at 250K or so. Each cylinder head on your cars engine has an aluminum or plastic valve cover bolted to it. this in the pics later on. I had the hood up today and noticed about a half an inch of seepage that was all along the seam of the driver's side valve cover, in that area that faces the engine dipstick. To torque the bottom bolts, I found an 18" extension with a swivel attached to the 10mm socket to be the most easy way to remove and tighten. I guess most of the cost for this job is in the labor. Foam ear cup replacement. It's hard to explain in words. Our certified mobile mechanics can come to you now. Solid Waste & Recycling - Twentynine Palms, California Real customer reviews from Dealer sets actual price. As I complete each stage of the VC gasket replacement, I will update the tutorial accordingly. For MORE great Auto Repair Videos, visit us at www.OnlineAutoRepairVideos.com PART 1 - Video series on replacing the right side valve cover gasket on a 2007 lexus ls460.If our video(s) have helped you repair your vehicle, consider making a small donation to Astral Auto Repairs!PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick\u0026hosted_button_id=9DWMKD79F3ABE\u0026source=urlCASH APP: AstralAutoRepairsPLEASE NOTE: We are a member of The Astral Stars, which means we DO NOT tolerate any bullying, name calling, or negativity of any kind. Remove the oil cap. If your engine sprung an oil leak due to a damaged valve cover, your vehicle might be low on oil. 211,000 miles, $289 - And actually, with the VC off, those two bolts are now very easy to access and remove. By Do NOT over torque these bolts or they will snap! You will feel the washers beginning to crush, then do another turn or 2 and that will be enough. but I do not cover that here. Rather than break the last one near the firewall, I just pulled the ignition coil off of the spark plug and laid it on top of the manifold. The pic of the OEM is on the right. 8. Changing RX400h low-beam headlight bulbs Lexus Model: 1994 - LS400 -- 93K Fully Loaded/Nakamichi -- Champagne/Taupe Interior. I'll try to post some better ones later. Flat rate pricing based on labor time and parts, Trusted mechanics, rated by thousands of happy car owners, Hand-picked, community-rated professionals, Over 25,000 topics, from beginner tips to technical guides, Check cars for recalls, common issues & maintenance costs, Optimize fleet uptime and compliance via mobile vehicle repairs, Partner with us to simplify and scale fleet maintenance, Number of Lexus LS460 Valve Cover Gasket Replacement services completed, LS460 2007 - Valve Cover Gasket - Lake Worth, FL, He was awesome! A valve cover is a metal or plastic component that covers your cars valve train and sits on top of the cylinder heads. Notice that the new part has a different (improved?) The idle air control valve should not have any air leaks from the Hello. The best part? Our certified mobile mechanics come to your home or office to complete your repair. The bolt on the left rear top is partially hidden under the wiring harness. Wow, thats going to be a lot of fun. The rear clip was the only one that survived. Put 100,000 miles of intense heat and 15 years of age and guess what? I kept worrying about having to remove those two hidden oil and transmission tube bolts. Very nicely done write up! Started February 14, By Lexus LS460 -- new to me 11/29/15, 2008 model. On average, the cost for a Lexus LS460 Valve cover gasket is leaking Inspection is $95 with $0 for parts and $95 for labor. 71,000 miles, $209 - 9) Remove the 12mm bolt that holds the front bracket. I would ballpark it at 5 hours. Some of these parts are tough to reach, and if you've had oil leaking for a while like me these parts are going to be I had it changed at the end of December. Jon just replaced my VC gaskets, and I was surprised not to see ANY sludge, with 230k miles on the engine. Isabella83 slows me down. Valve Cover Gasket Replacement - Lexus LS 460 - Part 1, FnF441 Take the spark plug completely off the threads and then to remove, use a rubber hose to pull it out. This can be done by completing a new Registration Form and checking the change-of-address box. Damaged Valve Covers: When replacing your valve cover gasket, a mechanic should also examine your valve cover(s) to make sure they are still intact. 7) Remove the 2 10mm bolts and the upper engine wire bracket, the removed piece is pictured in the lower Attached are pics of the RH camshafts and you can see where the oil was leaking in the middle and dripping down on to the heat shield. 59,000 miles, $239 - I first bent them up and then used some pliers to complete the 90 degrees. If the vehicle is all stock then the issue is usually in the rear junction block for the wiring under the rear of the vehicle, or a problem Lexus LS460 Exhaust Gas Recirculation/EGR Valve Replacement, Lexus LS460 Car Heater Control Valve Replacement, Lexus LS460 Idle Control Valve Replacement, Lexus LS460 Car does not shift from park to drive Inspection, Lexus LS460 Warning Light is on Inspection, Lexus LS460 CV Axle / Shaft Assembly Replacement, Lexus LS460 Stabilizer Bar Links Replacement, The Travelers Guide to Driving in Morocco. Every three years the State of California adopts new and/or updated model codes. Powered by Invision Community, Lexus LS400 / LS430 / LS460 / LS500h / LS600h Club, http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/engine/valvecover.html. A++++++, Super efficient & quick. Again, count that you have removed 9 bolts. Legislative process - Maintains and processes all City Ordinances, Resolutions, and Agreements. I had to get in front of the car, use my left hand, my right hand, etc to remove the various bolts by hand. 19) Next remove the valve cover gasket on the bottom and finally clean the covers up. For some reason, the second bolt from the firewall was on very tight and even after getting it of the way out, it was still difficult to turn. The FIPG needs at least an hour to set up before the engine $255, Top 5 Most Romantic Cars in Movie History, What Causes a Hard Brake Pedal? Lexus LS 460 Engine Gasket Set - 04111F0041 - Genuine Lexus Part The City of Twentynine Palms has an adopted Records Management Program and a Retention Schedule approved by the City Council. The engine oil level should not be maintained above the "full" mark on the engine oil dipstick because such can result in a circumstance where the rapidly turning crankshaft entrains the excess oil and whips it up into a froth. Lexus LS460 Traction Control Light is on Inspection, Lexus LS460 Serpentine/Drive Belt Replacement, Lexus LS460 Crankshaft Position Sensor Replacement, Lexus LS460 CV Axle / Shaft Assembly Replacement, Lexus LS460 Power Steering Control Valve Replacement, 5 Essential Things to Know About Used Car Reviews. No need to replace unless they are leaking and I think they can make it to 200K easily. There are several bolts that are very I've also been noticing more of an engine knock (light) and sometimes a kind of chatter or growlly noise on both acceleration and deceleration for awhile now. And believe it or not, I missed the 9th bolt again! As long as this doesn't eat up engine oil or effect smog testing, I would prefer to wait on this repair. I have a 1996 Lexus LS 400 and was told that I need to replace the valve cover gaskets by my local Lexus dealer. no more oil leaks Wow! 8) Remove the 2 12mm bolts and the lower engine wire bracket. Using a quart of oil about every 600 miles. Then I found when I replaced the plug wires, I could cut over the wire part and use the long plug connection as my new spark plug tool to remove and insert spark plugs. Thank you. remove the 9 VC bolts. This is great so that you don't need to worry about constantly making sure the gasket does not fall out. The valve cover bolts keep the gasket compressed, thus preventing leaks. 107,000 miles, $308 - Press down and torque the bolts to 55 in/lbs by making several passes on each bolt. I'm going to skip all the details of what major items to remove in detail but you will have to remove the V-Bank Cover, the Air Cleaner Inlet and remove the PS air hoses, PCV hose, and the EVAP hose at a minimum. 2) Disconnect the spark plug wires. This includes the ECT sensor and the OVC (Oil Valve Control) sensor. If you do happen to snap one of these, just buy an M6 hex bolt with a 1/4" washer and it will be a direct fit. right from the plastic wire holder. This includes the ECT sensor and the OVC (Oil Valve Control) sensor. Typically made from rubber or cork, a valve cover gasket helps seal the gap between the valve cover and the top of the engine. Don't overtighten the plugs. Ecu not sending signal to spark plug harness? CAMSHAFT BEARING CAP OIL. Very satisfied with that service. $9.83. Cars have a lot of fluids. A mechanic will perform a thorough inspection of the engine bay and determine the source of the leak. the entire diameter. Using a 10mm socket and various swivels, extensions, etc., remove the 9 and let me repeat 9 VC bolts. the top and even. Its really just a seal. If the source seems to be coming from the valve cover gasket, the mechanic will remove the valve cover and gasket. The second picture shows a broken one. If you don't want to shell out the money for an OEM hose, you can use a 90 degree fuel hose and cut to fit. Started March 4, 2021, Lexus Owners Club of North America Sorry the pictures are so crappy. Let us diagnose. $297, 4.6L V8 F Sport Be careful of the wiring that will be in the way of the connector, especially on the driver side. the wires or plugs. Guess what? Lexus LS400: How to Change Valve Cover Gaskets - LexLS.com Remove the power steering air hose that goes from the PS pump to the top of the intake manifold. I know it takes time to do this and the rest of us really appreciate the effort you put into this. Upload or insert images from URL. The only reason I haven't checked to see what filter is in there (don't think I didn't want to) is because there is a large cover (a flat pan) that covers all that area under the car, and (I think) to see anything you have to unscrew quite a few bolts and take the cover off. On the lexls.com tutorial, he said it took him two days (!!) Serves as Filing Officer for the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC). I would put new plugs in while at it as well. 10) Remove the oil and transmission dipsticks. Lexus LS460 Valve Cover Gasket | Advance Auto Parts Try not to drop it in the VC housing. Undo the 2 vacuum hoses (1. So thats pretty much it. Contact dealer for limited warranty, inventory level, and return policy details. This bracket absolutely needs to come off to remove the RH valve cover. Holy cow. Great guy and awesome mechanic ! Attached are some pics of the LH VC. Display as a link instead, Undo the 10mm nut that holds the fuse holder and the wiring harness. When this gasket is in place, it prevents oil from leaking out onto the outside of the engine. Genuine Lexus Part - 04111F0041 (04111-F0041, 04111F0040) As the rubber has now turned to brittle plastic, they will no longer come off the bolt by hand. DNJ Valve Cover Gasket Set - for 1997 Lexus LS400 4.0L V8 1UZ-FE 32-Valve DOHC. Over time the gasket becomes brittle from the engines heat or the bolts loosen, creating an engine oil leak. Started February 21, By Oil leaks of any kind should be taken seriously and should be reported to a mechanic. With a little practice, you too can become a pro! The corners around the curved areas and where the semi-circular plugs line up. Clear editor. April 6, 2013 in 90 - 00 Lexus LS400. Official Website of the City of Twentynine Palms, California, 6136 Adobe Road, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277, Tel: (760) 367-6799 Fax: (760) 367-4890, Open: Monday - Thursday 7:00 am to 6:00 pm, Abandoned and/or Vacant Home Information Report, MCAGCC Combat Center Community Impact Report, San Bernardino County Rent Relief Partnership, Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program, Vaccine Locations & Registration - COVID-19. All records are kept in accordance with regulations established by State Law. Lexus LS460 V8-4.6L - Brake Pads Replacement (Rear) - Houston, Texas, Lexus LS460 V8-4.6L - Oil Change - Durham, North Carolina. And if anything looks to be in the way, by all means, remove it. 2. When oil leaks through a broken valve cover gasket, it often drips onto the engine, where it burns. On average, the cost for a Lexus LS460 Valve Cover Gasket Replacement is $165 with $32 for parts and $133 for labor.. => Read Now Gaskets & Seals for Lexus LS460 for sale | eBay This is an enthusiast site and is not affiliated with Lexus/Toyota USA in any way. Different engines require different gaskets. need to be removed. 18" G Spider Alloy Wheel, Front, Dark Gray, Badge, F SPORT Sedan. Also attached is a pic of the RH torn PCV hose. We come to you with all the necessary tools and parts. Closer to the firewall, the border of oil increased to maybe an inch highnot positive. The left side will hit the AC hoses and other things but just be patient. My spark plugs were all dry and there was no oil leakage. I cannot see how a leaking valve cover gasket would affect tailpipe smog output. 25) Install is reverse of removal. Now you can remove and replace the spark plug tube seals. Cross your fingers that you have fixed your leak! design. Im thinking this is due to the PCV being located here and all the blow by. Haliuna Oaths and Filings - Administers oaths, receives and records petitions, claims, and official notices. Our mechanics will make sure your oil is topped-off before they leave. Instead, with the inside of the VC facing you, take a large screwdriver and place underneath the seal. City Clerk - Twentynine Palms, California 4.6L V8 After the gaskets are in apply a light coat of multi-purpose grease to the inside lip of the gaskets so they slide over the spark plug tubes without moving the gaskets. On average, the cost for a Lexus LS460 Valve cover gasket is leaking Inspection is $95 with $0 for parts and $95 for labor. How do you get the tranny bolt back in? Again just be careful not to gouge the metal. If your car smells funny, something is most likely wrong. MSRP and price exclude taxes, installation, shipping, and dealer charges. It serves the purpose of keeping dirt, dust, and debris from entering the cylinder heads, and also the extremely vital purpose of keeping motor oil from leaking into the engine when it should not. Start with the semi-circular areas and the rest will Zeus01 My hose cracked when I removed it so I will be replacing with a new one. WHILE EVERY REASONABLE EFFORT IS MADE TO ENSURE THE ACCURACY OF THIS DATA, WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS OR OMISSIONS CONTAINED ON THESE PAGES. I had a number of hoses that were hard and cracked and that probably explains my recent imperfect idle as of late. To install, just press the valve in and then torque the bolt to .66 ft/inches. Taking the valve and grommet out requires a lot of muscle. Labor costs are estimated between $251 and $316 while parts are priced at $51. Prices may vary depending on your location. So here goes. It's a job that is very straightforward and seems simple but is more work than you might realize. very nice write up, mine has 231k now and I had my nephew Jon replace the VC gaskets, seals, & grommets, and was surprised how clean everything was. no build up at all. It's never been a heavy leak, but more like a seepage and explains why the oil level would never stay full. The upper part of the VC should about 45 degrees or so higher to the bottom to gain clearance from the pesky oil and transmission tubes. That's $1200 for the set. The valve covers have never been off the car. Damage to a valve cover could also cause an oil leak. 1. $292, 4.6L V8 L Paste as plain text instead, I mistakenly missed the one right near the PS pump and kept wondering why in the hell the VC would not come off. Often, if a car is old enough to have a valve cover oil leak, there will be oil leaks elsewhere on the engine, so you should request a complete leak inspection. 18) Remove the 4 spark plug gaskets for each cover. You can see oil was leaking from the wet spots. I look forward to bringing my 1999 over so you can get some more experience. 2007 Lexus LS460 Valve Covers & Components - CARiD Valve Cover Gasket Replacement - Lexus LS 460 - YouTube Dont worry about the oil and transmission tubes moving a little. The valve cover seals in the motor oil, which means that when the gasket breaks, the oil will start leaking out. This I just screwed together a couple of pieces of scrap wood and that worked fine. Lexus LS430 Valve Cover Gasket Replacement Cost Estimate - RepairPal Lexus LS400 Valve Cover Gasket Replacement Costs - YourMechanic The LS400 is truly a fantastically engineered car and well deserving of fresh VC gaskets! Welcome matt. Make note of which side is up with your old seals as a reference. After all your tube seals are installed they should look like this. did not remove the oil or tranny tubes, it all went smooth, and was needed To install the VC gaskets, each rubber gasket will have several evenly distanced outer rib/nipples that run along the entire gasket and allows the gasket to stay in the VC valley when it is turned upside down to install. little to access the bolts. To remove the valve from the housing, I used a big screwdriver and using a hammer and gently punched it out. Anyone who violates that policy will be BANNED. If that OEM is still on theresomeone's in trouble. Serves as Election Official for all City regular and special elections. However, its not particularly strong. says to also remove the oil dipstick tube but I just pushed the tube to the side and there was enough room to get the valve cover off. Dealer sets actual price. Then, using a hammer, just pound the seals in but be careful not to hit the claws and try not to damage the rubber. Oddly enough, I have never seen a tutorial on the 98-00 models. I can't leave well enough alone. Have a rag underneath as there will be some oil spilling from the valve. 16) On each side, clean the area where the cover gasket sits so it's perfectly dry. $4.49. . And I could not use all my force for fear of breaking the plastic elbow piping. Between this valve cover and the cylinder head, there is a gasket that keeps engine oil from leaking out. The mechanical components of a car engine will typically outlive the gaskets used to seal the engine. Haliuna Nah, that would be too easy. be slid forward and off. I used my box Now, install a fresh new PCV valve and grommet. The service manual says to remove both the oil and automatic transmission dipstick tubes. If you're replacing the wires fully remove them. Dorman HELP Oil Filler Cap. I'm sure as hell not going to buy a new frickin' engine wiring harness. Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST. Serves as Election Official for all City regular and special elections. This is where it helps to have the bolts on the fuel rail removed so you can have a bit more wiggle room. A valve cover gasket is put in place because the metal of the valve cover does not seal tightly enough against the metal of the top of the engine. The manual indicates that the oil and automatic transmission dipsticks must first be removed? Any help or tips would be appreciated. Now is also the perfect time to replace your Oil Control Valves. Valve Cover Replacement - 90 - 00 Lexus LS400 - Lexus Owners Club of if I am not mistaken (though he was taking pics and doing other things). Upfront and transparent pricing. I don't think it's really worth the time to scrape this junk off but I like my stuff to be clean. Then alternate lifting the left side with your left hand in the oil cap hole and the bottom left corner, gently lift the VC from the top part towards the fender so that the spark plug tubes clear the VC.