Finally Replaced the Valve Cover Gasket [Merged 7-9]

[Eliminat0r]

Ok. so im decuiding to repalce my valve cover gasket becasue it is leaking. I was just wondering if anyone has some tips that mgiht be usefull to me and also what are the part numbers and gaskets that i need. I have a 91 tsi awd. Thaks for the help. also let me know if theres a tech write up if not ill take some pics and make one.

 

[IHeartTurbo]

DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN! Cracked valve covers suck.

 

[jbillakdsm]

! I was just going to write the same thing. My dad tightened one of mine too much and cracked my cover a litte. Also, make sure that you get the kit that you need with the plugs and everything. Some auto parts stores only carry kits that have the circular valve cover gasket and not the new rubber plugs. I think there are also some kits that have new spark plug grommets as well but not sure, I might be thinking about my old 1.8.

 

[heavyD]

You will need the valve cover gasket, a little half circle plug, and the four doughnut gaskets areound the spark plug wells. Also, add high temp. silicone sealant around all corners/edges on the gasket. DSMtalk.com has (or had) a guy's tech article which has the correct part numbers required. Easy job.

 

[Eliminat0r]

o yea i know not to overtighten, also im gonna be doing spark plugs too, and i dont know what to gap em at, could somebody help me out with that.

 

[Eliminat0r]

on partznet.com it only says valve cover gasket is that gonna include everythnig or do i have to search for the half moon and the spark plug well gaskets? thanks for the help

 

[RiceKiller_TSi]

Heres a tip: Dont pry your stuck valve cover off with a screwdriver because you could scratch the mating surfaces and cause leaks! If it is stuck use a wood block and tap on that block with a rubber mallet to break the seal. BTW if you live near an "OReilly's" get the kit from them. It includes "everything" for cheaper than the dealer and like somebody said get some RTV but dont glob it on.

 

[Eliminat0r]

thanks for the help also the part numbers on talk are for the 2g what are they for 1g, or what are the exact names of the gaskets, i dont think a dealer will know what a half moon gasket is. also i plan on painting the valve cover what should i stick over the head to keep it safe well the paint and the clearcoat dry.

 

['96_Talon_TSi]

Originally posted by Eliminat0r
also im gonna be doing spark plugs too, and i dont know what to gap em at, could somebody help me out with that.

Anywhere between .028 and .032 I have mine at .030.

 

[WickidEmpire16]

I was wondering if anyone could help me out. I got a Leaky valve cover gasket and I was wondering if there is any where on the internet that sales repair kits of that our what could i use to repair it my self with out taking it into the shop. Thanks guys. nate

 

[TalonTSi-AWD91]

Here's a how to for the valve cover gasket.
http://www.dsmtalk.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=90462

You can buy it at either of these places or even just Advanced Auto.
http://www.dsmparts.com/valve_cover.htm
http://www.machv.com/valcovgasset.html

 

[jdmawd]

Originally posted by WickidEmpire16
I was wondering if anyone could help me out. I got a Leaky valve cover gasket and I was wondering if there is any where on the internet that sales repair kits of that our what could i use to repair it my self with out taking it into the shop. Thanks guys. nate

Local autoparts store like napa $24 i think

 

[Krazysmit]

I am currently in the middle of replacing my leaky valve cover gasket. I was wondering when I want to put the sealant on, do I put it on the valve cover side before i put the gasket on, or do I put the gasket in the valve cover and then put the sealant on top of that. Or a combo of both. Also, after I put all of it back together, how long should I wait before using the car again? It's about 50 degrees up in MA right now, and I know that affects curing times.

Thanks

 

[fasteclipse1992]

i didnt put any sealant on mine when i changed it. now if u were reusing the old 1 id put sealant on it, but a new 1 really dont need any as long as your valve cover isnt warped or cracked anywhere.

 

[FASTSPOOLINGST]

agreed. you shouldn't need sealant. It is a pretty soft rubber compound already and should seal fine without any silicone. Just be sure to torque the bolts in the correct order and to the correct torsion, if you don't you may get another leak.

It's not like a v8 valve cover gasket, u don't have to put silicone on it to prevent oil from getting all over your aluminum intake, at least that is whay my 350 in my K5 always does.

 

[96Gstmonster]

I have oil on the 2 middle spark plugs on my car....when I let my foot off the gas the car there is a popping noise out of the exhaust..is this because the spark in the 2 chambers is trying to combust the fuel and oil so the combustion is not as strong and there is a small backfire or is that just back preasure from my exhaust

 

[philipkrotch]

uhm...heres a tip...get a new valve cover gasket and get the 4 spark plug well seals. that will fix all your problems. if it doesnt..then u have some shit ass oil rings.

 

[ninjai_ruken]

Originally posted by philipkrotch
uhm...heres a tip...get a new valve cover gasket and get the 4 spark plug well seals. that will fix all your problems. if it doesnt..then u have some shit ass oil rings.

 

[ninjai_ruken]

I had the same problem, but I started to rebuild my motor before I could find out if that would fix the problem. Sorry with I could be more help. Sorry accidently went to quote instead of post

 

[Mitsu725]

wondering if valve cover installation is very difficult, i done quite a few to a v8 but never a 4 cylinder, , and i think the only gaskets i need are the sp. plug gaskets and the main valve cover one but is there ne more ??

 

[UndergroundR32]

Nope, that's it. It's easy. I usually put some rtv in the gasket grooves of the valve cover, then lay the gasket in it and wipe any rtv that squeezes out. After that I'll put a small amount of rtv around the surface on the cylinder head, then lay it on. Just make sure you clean any old dried rtv off of the surface of the head before you install the new one.

 

[98RedGs]

http://www.vfaq.com/mods/lifters.html

That first part of the link shows you a picture of the valve cover and where the bolts are you need to remove.

Goodluck.

 

[Phat95Talon]

I have searched, but I haven't found the answer to my question.

The gasket on my valve cover is leaking. Also around the spark plugs and i'm getting oil on top and smoke from the exhaust. I bought an old 1gen valve cover, new plugs, wires and a gasket kit. I asked the guy at bumper to Bumper for a gasket for a 98 Eclipse. Went to my friend house to have him check it out and find out it says it's for a 93-96 engine. So here's the queston.....

Since the valve covers are interchangeable for most of the years, should there be any difference in the gaskets? My car is a 95 but the engine is from a 98 car.

Thanks for any help,
Kristin

 

[DSMNightmare]

For the most part I think the gaskets are the same, but the 95 does not have the CAS on the left hand side of the valve cover so that could mean a difference. The valve cover should match up right but just make sure you buy gaskets for the correct year car.

 

[98TsiAWD]

The vc gaskets areall the same for all 4g63 dohc.