How much to replace gaskets??

[3134]

I have oil leaking on my turbo, valve cover, and one of my spark plugs. I believe this is due to my spark plug gasket and valve cover gaskets being broken. Please tell me if this is the problem and if so how much it should cost to get fixed or if i should try to do it my self. I am a complete novice at this so take that into consideration.

 

[1993eclipseGS]

There is no reason why you should pay some one to complete such an task.

Valve cover gasket set (complete set, Includes valve cover gasket, half moon shape gasket, And also the 4 spark plug well gaskets. You will pay between $30-40. When you removed the valve cover(It may be stuck, Just tape it with a rubber mallet without cracking it, Just to loosen it up. If that does not work, Get a very small straight screw driver and get it between the valve cover/head, And pry it up slowly and carefully without damaging anything. Clean off the head, Where the valve cover gaskets would all mate. Also clean off where they go, On the valve cover. I personally ad a little dab of rtv at the cover of each spot on the bottom of the valve cover, To hold the gaskets all on while installing again. When you re-install the bolts that hold the valve cover on, DO NOT over tighten them, This is VERY EASY to do. As soon as they feel like they're getting tight, Stop! I like to start from the inside, And work my way in a pattern, And out. Just do not over tighten and strip them out, You most likly do not realize how easy it is to strip them out.

If you have ANY questions while you're performing this, You can post up and get more help, Or post in the same thread and I will help you with whatever it is you need.


EDIT: I just searched the vfaq, And found this link. It is basically identical to everything I said though.

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

Good luck, It's very easy!

 

[3134]

hey thanks a lot, i'm going to get everything tomorrow morning and try it. I also have problems with my brakes. I think it may be the rotors, are those also able to be done on my own? I heard stock old rotors tend to be stuck and hard to get off.

 

[ROOKIE1]

It has been said , but I will repeat it . It is very very very easy to overtighten . Again , do not overtighten . Can you tell I have crack my valve cover before ?

 

[1993eclipseGS]

Definatly do the valve cover gaskets yourself. If you have any problems, Just post up in this thread.
As for your brakes, They are not hard at all. Sometimes the rotors may be ''stuck, But I just use some pb-blaster, And a big hammer and hammer at them until they come loose and fall off. I have only ever had one rotor really get ''stuck'', And I actually needed a huge hammer, And sit there with one of those canister tourches and heat it up until it was red, Then pound at it until it came off. This most likly will not happen to you, Just use a hammer if it is really needed.

 

[3134]

ok then i guess i will do that tomorrow as well, and finally just to clarify i have oil not only on my valve cover but on my turbo as well, would the gaskets for the valve cover and spark plugs stop the leakage on the turbo?

 

[ROOKIE1]

I to had a stuck rotor . Lot of pb blaster and heat . Oh yeah , a huge sledge hammer . Had to break it off into tiny pieces .

 

[1993eclipseGS]

ok then i guess i will do that tomorrow as well, and finally just to clarify i have oil not only on my valve cover but on my turbo as well, would the gaskets for the valve cover and spark plugs stop the leakage on the turbo?

That depends. Where exactly is the oil dripping on the turbo? You may want to clean everything off so it is ''spotless'' so to speak, And then check back and see exactly where the oil is coming from, Or where it is landing, And try to trace it back. It may be your oil feedline also.

 

[3134]

yea i feel what i am going to do is replace the gaskets listed above and clean everything off and then see where the oil leaks. from there i'll take pictures and see if hopefully you can help me haha

 

[1993eclipseGS]

Sure, Just post up whatever you need help on, In this thread so it will show up in my userprofile when you post.

 

[3134]

ok so i am doing my gaskets now and they do not look too warn... Like will they look warn or is it a minimal amount? I am worried because i feel like this may not be the problem even tho oil is leaking onthe outside of the valve cover all over the cover

 

[3134]

and i got the wrong part, where can i get an oil cap gasket? I went to autozone, strauss,... anywhere else people can think of?

 

[3134]

and this is a dumb question, but does it get hotter than 150 degrees in the engine? i bought a sealent that can go up to 150 degrees

 

[1993eclipseGS]

If your oil cap is leaking, You will have a little puddle in the spark plug well, Where your plug wires are.

Autozone and advanced auto will sell you a whole need oil cap if you want, I just bought one today because I just got done putting my new head on. Even if the gasket looks in ''ok'' condition, It may be leaking. If you bought the new valve cover gasket, It would be a good thing to change them.

As for the silicone sealent, What did you need it for? I just used clear rtv sealent to dab in spots. I also have high temp rtv sealent. Just a word of advice, It smells REALLY bad so do not try to take a big sniff of it.

 

[Splitpi]

I have oil leaking on my turbo, valve cover, and one of my spark plugs. I believe this is due to my spark plug gasket and valve cover gaskets being broken. Please tell me if this is the problem and if so how much it should cost to get fixed or if i should try to do it my self. I am a complete novice at this so take that into consideration.

This is a common problem... I had it with mine aswell. Here is what you need to fix it:

1 Small tube of RTV
1 Valve Cover Gasket Set (I used a Felpro kit w/ Semi-Circular Plug & Spark Plug Gaskets ... $31.48 at http://www.partsamerica.com/Product...L&mfrpartnumber=VS50434R&parttype=107&ptset=A)
1 PCV valve (might as well replace since its really easy to grip with the valve cover off... ~$4.00 to $12.00 depending on quality).
4 Spark Plugs (NGKs)
I believe a 10 mm socket and wrench
A scraper/razor blades


Here are the steps:
http://www.vfaq.com/mods/wayback/BradBauer/engine/valve.html

Remember, you only need to reattach the bolts of the valve cover to about 3 ft/lb... or just tighter than finger tight. People crack their covers all the time by overtighting them.

 

[Splitpi]

hey thanks a lot, i'm going to get everything tomorrow morning and try it. I also have problems with my brakes. I think it may be the rotors, are those also able to be done on my own? I heard stock old rotors tend to be stuck and hard to get off.

Yes Rotors can be a pain to getoff. But brakes are definitally something you can do... though I would invest in a torque wrench to ensure you properly torque your rims. I followed this vfaq in getting my old stuck rotors off... worked like a dream.

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

and this is a dumb question, but does it get hotter than 150 degrees in the engine? i bought a sealent that can go up to 150 degrees

I believe you bought the wrong stuff. You want RTV, even base RTV should be good to 450 - 500 degrees.

 

[FORMONTOYA]

Valve cover gasket change is a very simple task, but as stated, very easy to over tighten. It only requires about 2 FT/LB of torque.

And if you have a "run of the mill" socket set with metrics up to 17/19mm you probably have what you need to do the brakes. Another fairly simple job for a beginner.

Actually the rotors are very easy to get off even if their stuck, although I never use a hammer/mallet on them even if their trash. If you look at the rotor hat you will see 2 threaded holes (don't remember what size). These are "jacking" holes. Thread in the appropriate size screw and just give it a twist and the rotor will pop off.


Both jobs are easy to do and would be good tasks to get your feet wet. If you're in doubt, I'm sure you could find a buddy to help/supervise and save yourself a lot of money (as labor rates are expensive) and gain some knowledge about your car.

 

[3134]

i cracked my valve cover (i kno i kno, but i def thought i was extremely careful) and it is a small small hairline fracture maybe 2 cm long. I coated it with atv, will that work?

 

[1993eclipseGS]

i cracked my valve cover (i kno i kno, but i def thought i was extremely careful) and it is a small small hairline fracture maybe 2 cm long. I coated it with atv, will that work?

I have another valve cover i'll see you for cheap, But send me a pm if you want it.