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

[spades_gsx]

you can use RTV to make your own gaskets or in conjuction with a gasket. its like cualk but high temp and remains flexible.

 

[HTownGST]

I was just wondering if when changing the gasket, should the engine be warm? Since it is winter, I just didn't know if it was ok for it to be cold or not. I was thinking about just letting the engine warm up and then doing it, but I thought I would ask just incase. Thanks.

 

[Prez]

Cold is fine.

Just go buy some grey silicone from NAPA.. then put some in the vavle cover gasket grove then set the gasket in the grove and allow a few mins for it to set like 10 mins, This will allow much easier time when putting the vavle cover back on the car.

Now on the head portion of where the vavle cover meets the head. Put down a thin leayer of grey silicon and also on the cam journal caps on the end by the cam gears and cam angle sensor where they start the half circle. Also put some on the half moon plug. This will help pervent future leaks.

 

[HTownGST]

I was reading, and some members say not to use any kind of sealant, and then some say do. Which is it?

 

[Prez]

I dunno I guess personal preferance. If you do use the sealant make sure it is GREY and from napa it's like 5 bux a tube. It's the good shit. Don't use RED cause it will ruin the detergents in your oil or so I have been told.

I just use a little bit on the curved surfaces to make sure where the gasket goes from flat to up and around a corner on the cam angle sensor and by the cam gears so it seals forsure as thats a sharp angle for a gasket to seal.

Don't use alot just a little bit. And then on the valve cover side I use it to hold the gasket in place other wise it falls out when trying to put it back on and turns into a pain in the ass. If you put alittle in the grove makes it much easier to put it on.

 

[iowaboostin]

It's all about personal preference. I've never used any kind of sealant when replacing my VC gasket before and I've never gotten any leaks. Be very careful when you're tightening the valve cover back on. What I always do is tighten all the bolts by hand as much as I can, then give them a 3/4 turn with a socket. Our valve covers break VERY easily!

 

[eclipsegsx97979]

took the valve cover off tonite and found that the spark plug gasket rings should be replaced and could be causing one of my problems....so i am going to replace the spark plug gasket rings and the valve cover gasket itself... any have any tips or suqquestions in doing this as far as sealant and what not and what to put it on? i know to use something like rtv sealant or somethingon the valve cover gasket but do i use it on the spark plug gasket rings too and do i use it on both sides or just one on whatever im using the rtv seal stuff on???

thanks,

kevin

 

[luv2rallye]

On a side note: Don't overtighten the cover bolts (like many do) or you while crack the cover. Spec is ONLY 2.2 ft lbs !!!

 

[DSM MAN]

Ya don't do what I did . Don't over tighten the bolts AT ALL. In fact get them finger tight and like a 1/4 turn I think should be good, just enough to snug them down. If they leak a little bit when your down then you can tighten them very little until it stops. It beats cracking the cover and having to use JB weld.

 

[eclipsegsx97979]

i put the sealant on all those spots plus the rest of the gasket.... holds good and so far no leaks.... going for a test drive now...


kevin

 

[Defiant]

i put the sealant on all those spots plus the rest of the gasket.... holds good and so far no leaks.... going for a test drive now...

It can be an iffy deal to use silicone gasket sealer on long stretches like that. It can serve as a lubricant instead of sealer, and allow the gasket to wander out. Not as much an issue on a DSM valve cover where its U shape keeps it registered, but it's still not recommended by the factory.

 

[eclipsegsx97979]

took the car for a drive last night and still got some oil on th evalve cover.... checked all the plugs and it isnt comimg from there....checked all around the valve cover gasket and no leaks there either....i cant figure this out...valve cover looks good...the car di dhave too much oil in it so i drained some out... and im gonna drive it agan today...

kevin

 

[timm98gst]

most likely a leaky oil cap - very common

 

[Defiant]

Or a crack. Clean it completely, sprinkle some talc over the cover and look for the source.

 

[eclipsegsx97979]

i put the plastic cover with the 5 bolts over the spark plug well and drove the car today... when i opened the hood it looked perfect it wasnt sprayed on the hood underneather or the spark plug wires like it usually is..... im lead to believe its leaking under that plastic cover some where..... my only guess is that small pin size hole that goes straight through.... i believe this because right where the hole is there like a oil spray mist right on the spark plug wires.... i think its that hole.... theres no where else under it could be coming from.....

kevin

 

[brad98rs]

Im replacing the valve cover gasket in my 98, but im not sure what all i have to do or how long it will take. i searched the forums and the tech articles but i found nothing. so if you have a sec can you go through the process for me. thnx

 

[Cool Mr Steve]

I got my gasket from Autozone... Simple, quick and local for a decent price... All thats required is to remove the bolts on the valve cover (16 or so...) and one hose connection. Then just lift it off, take the original one off and clean the mating surfaces. I ran a bead of RTV Black Silicone along the gasket, put it back on, and let it set for about an hour. Make sure not to over tighten the bolts, the valve cover cracks easily.

 

[Cool Mr Steve]

Here we go...

 

[brad98rs]

thanks. the guy at advance auto parts, he is a dsmer, he said i didnt need any RTV, but he gave me a spray called Copper Spray-A-Gasket, is it just as good. it says its a high temp. sealent

 

[ZachM31]

yeah i used that on head gaskets for my quad when i rebuilt the engine, works good and seems to seal things up good. (not that a head gasket already didnt)

 

[TSI_12]

Should you use silicone when you put a new valve cover gasket on? I have heard both things: Some autoparts staff thinks the silicone eats the valve cover gasket, others say it helps to seal it better. Any person experiences would be great. THANKS

 

[timm98gst]

every manual i've ever read says to use it - i used rtv blue and it worked great

 

[oldman]

I use it every time and not ones did it ever damage the gasket, make sure you apply just a thin layer.

 

[Nessuno]

yea, I'm about due for new valve cover gaskets myself...nothing major, just a very small almost unnoticeable amount of oil around the bolts of the valve cover...I was told by someone that in order to change the gaskets you need to take off the timing belt, is this true? I can't really see how that would work, but I've also not had any time to look at it to see for myself.

 

[oldman]

yea, I'm about due for new valve cover gaskets myself...nothing major, just a very small almost unnoticeable amount of oil around the bolts of the valve cover...I was told by someone that in order to change the gaskets you need to take off the timing belt, is this true? I can't really see how that would work, but I've also not had any time to look at it to see for myself.

Make sure to never take this "someone's" advice seriously and invest in a service manual of some kind.