Removing the valve cover to change new gasket

[TSiRocker]

I am stuck with the valve cover as it's PITA to ply off the cover. It just won't budge!

Will it be safe to use cutting knife to shred off the rubber gasket to free up the gap for easy removal?

 

[igopoopy]

do you have all the bolts off? there are 14 bolts

http://vfaq.com/mods/wayback/BradBauer/engine/valve.html

 

[mysticfire6602]

that should be fine. i used a flat head screwdriver and hammered it in there to pry mine out.

 

[TSiRocker]

yes, I have all the bolts off the cover.

I will try the hammering idea if mine doesn't work

Okay, once I get the cover off.
How do I apply the RTV? Do I apply on both sides, the valve cover and the engine block?

 

[igopoopy]

Use a SMALL amount of RTV sealant on valve cover side with the spark plug seals and main valve cover gasket
Use RTV sealant on semi-circular plug and the 2 camshaft and crank angle sensor humps (see illustration)

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[TSiRocker]

Use a SMALL amount of RTV sealant on valve cover side with the spark plug seals and main valve cover gasket
Use RTV sealant on semi-circular plug and the 2 camshaft and crank angle sensor humps (see illustration)

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I can see you are emphasizing on the SMALL amount of RTV. Any reason why?
What will happen if I apply too much RTV on it? Will it gets stuck like a glue?

 

[mysticfire6602]

just imagine a hunk of goop falling onto your valves...

personally i didnt use any RTV when i replaced mine.

 

[TSiRocker]

Ah..ok, i will get the gaskets up tonight.

Thanks for the quick reply from you guys!
I hope there will be no more annoying leaks after the change...

 

[Defiant]

I hope there will be no more annoying leaks after the change...

Oh, there will be.

 

[Omega]

Oh, there will be.

Tell me about it. The second time it went on I think it has sealed well enough. Nothing more scary than plumes of smoke coming out the front of the car because oil is dripping in the heat sheild.

 

[Mack]

A loving tap from a rubber mallet showed my cover who was boss.

 

[TSiRocker]

Amazingly, the process went pretty well.
Applied RTV all around the rubber gasket and the spark plug gaskets, let it dry off for 10minutes and test drive it for 30minutes and voila! NO LEAKS!!!

I don't see why you guys still having leaks after replacing...

 

[Defiant]

I don't see why you guys still having leaks after replacing...

You will.

 

[MDAdams1186]

Hey Defiant howcome there will be leaks afterwards no matter what? I am discouraged to replace mine now if it won't fix it

 

[Defiant]

It's a Mitsubishi. They just leak. Oh, sure, there are fifty out there that don't, but they don't count. Mine does, and we can't even figure out where from. I just feed it.

 

[MDAdams1186]

ahh well that certainly sucks...but I guess no biggy if it's not effecting anything.