2003 Matrix, 100K miles, 1ZZFE valve cover removed pics

[si1491]

Valve cover gasket was leaking and the chain tensioner o-ring is a known issue so did them both. Oils that I have used in this vehicle since new are Mobil 1, Amsoil, Redline, Mobil 1 High mileage, Valvoline high mileage, and currently, Valvoline Restore and Protect. Looks good for now, happy with the current condition.


Also looking good for the mileage and appreciate the higher mileage info from here:

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/t...pics-2003-toyota-matrix-1zzfe-229k-mi.405074/

 

[charbaby]

Nice & clean indeed! You’ve certainly used the premium oils on the market. What grade of oil have you been using?
Most Toyota engines have a maple syrup varnish to them. Not that the varnish was doing any damage, just saying! How’bout some pics of the rest of your car after 23 years?

 

[DCDG]

Valve cover gasket was leaking and the chain tensioner o-ring is a known issue so did them both. Oils that I have used in this vehicle since new are Mobil 1, Amsoil, Redline, Mobil 1 High mileage, Valvoline high mileage, and currently, Valvoline Restore and Protect. Looks good for now, happy with the current condition.


Also looking good for the mileage and appreciate the higher mileage info from here:

P

Thread 'Under Valve Cover Pics- 2003 Toyota Matrix 1ZZFE- 229k mi'

Mar 7, 2026

Decided to change this because they tend to leak and also because I thought it could be a good Valvoline Restore and protect before and after photo opportunity. Driving the car 1500 mi coming up here in 2 weeks. We usually visit every year so may pull the valve cover around this time in 2027.

Bought the car a few weeks ago for my father-in-law, unsure of the history. Looking under the oil fill cap I could tell that there was definitely at least mild varnish and hoping for no sludge. I did a EPR flush last week, honestly I'm not sure if it did much, oil didn't look dirty at all when...

• panthermike
• Replies: 24
• Forum: Mechanical/Maintenance Forum

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That's a good looking valve train cleaner than the soup bowls in my kitchen cabinets.

 

[sw99]

Looks fantastic! Thanks for the photos. I'm running the first of round Valvoline Restore and Protect in my 1zzfe to hopefully get mine that clean. Mine had a fair amount of vanish the last time I did the valve cover gasket IIRC around 160k. I plan to do side by side photo of the before and after photos when all is done.

 

[trd1zz]

Valve cover gasket was leaking and the chain tensioner o-ring is a known issue so did them both. Oils that I have used in this vehicle since new are Mobil 1, Amsoil, Redline, Mobil 1 High mileage, Valvoline high mileage, and currently, Valvoline Restore and Protect. Looks good for now, happy with the current condition.


Also looking good for the mileage and appreciate the higher mileage info from here:

P

Thread 'Under Valve Cover Pics- 2003 Toyota Matrix 1ZZFE- 229k mi'

Mar 7, 2026

Decided to change this because they tend to leak and also because I thought it could be a good Valvoline Restore and protect before and after photo opportunity. Driving the car 1500 mi coming up here in 2 weeks. We usually visit every year so may pull the valve cover around this time in 2027.

Bought the car a few weeks ago for my father-in-law, unsure of the history. Looking under the oil fill cap I could tell that there was definitely at least mild varnish and hoping for no sludge. I did a EPR flush last week, honestly I'm not sure if it did much, oil didn't look dirty at all when...

• panthermike
• Replies: 24
• Forum: Mechanical/Maintenance Forum

• 
• 

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How many oil changes have you done with Valvoline Restore and Protect before popping the valve cover?

 

[iahawk]

wow, so that's what that motor is supposed to look like! (I have 2006 with 221K). Yours looks beautiful!

You may also want to replace your vvt solenoid o ring and your cam position sensor o ring (both easy to access from the front). Every o ring on mine was leaking when I got the car last year. Only o ring still waiting to be done is the crank position sensor o ring.

 

[nascarnation]

Were the seals brittle? This is similar in age to the Lexus V6 that I got for my grandson. The elastomers were so hard they cracked apart as you removed them. I was disappointed given the Toyota reputation for robustness. The steel and aluminum parts looked beautifully manufactured.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Looks good

 

[panthermike]

Beautiful!

 

[si1491]

What grade of oil have you been using?

Thanks, I'll have to grab some pics after I give it a good bath, been dirty for a while now. I've always used 5W or 0W-30, currently the Valvoline Restore and Protect 5W-30.

How many oil changes have you done with Valvoline Restore and Protect before popping the valve cover?

This is the second round but only did about 2000 on the first round and about 800 on this one.

wow, so that's what that motor is supposed to look like! (I have 2006 with 221K). Yours looks beautiful!

You may also want to replace your vvt solenoid o ring and your cam position sensor o ring (both easy to access from the front). Every o ring on mine was leaking when I got the car last year. Only o ring still waiting to be done is the crank position sensor o ring.

Thanks for the heads up, Ill take a look at those and might do them when I do the Intake manifold.

Were the seals brittle? This is similar in age to the Lexus V6 that I got for my grandson. The elastomers were so hard they cracked apart as you removed them. I was disappointed given the Toyota reputation for robustness. The steel and aluminum parts looked beautifully manufactured.

Yes, it was. broke in several places and on the sparkplug hole conjoining bridges, a small piece fell into the valve head area but was not difficult to get out. New gasket is a Felpro which went on fine (used Permatex ultra black in the required spots) but the included valve cover gromets will get changed out once I get better ones.