Removing Valve Cover

[TaylorGang]

Hola.. 98 GSX my engine runs very good. Good mods. Fast. But the problem is when i open my hood to impress people my damn valve cover is filthy. I want to remove it and give it a nice bath. Someone help me out here. If i remove it id have to replace the gasket right?

 

[cookmeup272]

You dont HAVE to but I would recommend it...especially if its never been done before.

 

[LiquidX]

You Should invest in a Haynes or a Chiltons manual. You obviously didn't do any mods yourself nor know about the car. Do some research and learn about these. It's only a few bolts and the PCV. Don't tighten it too hard unless you want a cracked leaking cover.

 

[TaylorGang]

Alright i have done most of my mods? And thanks i completly forgot i have a chilltons thanks tho!

 

[TSi Kid]

+1 on buying the guide.

You can use the old gasket and then just put a thin layer of rtv and let it cure, but the gasket kit is only $25.

DO NOT GO CHEAP WITH THESE CARS, you'll regret it in the end.

He probably thought you didn't do the mods because you're asking about reusing the gasket. Yes you can, but more then likely it'll leak.

 

[TaylorGang]

Alright im gonna order a new one of DSM Graveyard.. Or i might purchase a new cover completly. Does anyone have any info where i can get one. have a strong feeling my cover might be cracked

 

[wkmitsu]

Use a new gasket when you put it back on and torque the bolts to only 3 ft-lb. If you use RTV, only use a small amount and only the valve cover side of the gasket. And you can get a valve cover gasket kit for $15 off eBay.

 

[get_boosted]

I bought my valve cover gasket set from autozone.

 

[dsmarmy777gst]

Yeah definitely go with a new gasket unless you want it to leak and get everything else oily. you could get buy with putting a bit of ultra gray on it for now though. I would also get some nice stainless valve cover bolts while your at it, your not likely to over tighten those and crack the valve cover like i did when i had the regular bolts I tend to crank bolts more than they need and i cracked two valve covers, then i decided to get the stainless alan heads. they are awesome!

 

[TSi Kid]

Post some pics if you think it's cracked to be for sure.

 

[LiquidX]

Not all cracks will be visible. Ive leaked from the bolt holes themselves. You can reuse the gasket if it's still soft and pliable. Use thin layer of RTV on it and on the corners. I've sealed a gasket that way that was split in half in a corner by the cams and I had no leaks.

New gasket is the right way but cannot guarantee against leaks if you reuse your old one.

 

[KevinBoosted]

But the problem is when i open my hood to impress people

i bet you have a bodykit and lambo doors too

 

[91stocker]

Yea a re-used gasket leaking oil everhwere will really impress people

 

[TSi Kid]

i bet you have a bodykit and lambo doors too

Where in glendale are you at?

Not all cracks will be visible. Ive leaked from the bolt holes themselves. You can reuse the gasket if it's still soft and pliable. Use thin layer of RTV on it and on the corners. I've sealed a gasket that way that was split in half in a corner by the cams and I had no leaks.

New gasket is the right way but cannot guarantee against leaks if you reuse your old one.

With enough rtv you can stop any leak .

$15s shipped off ebay and then you can go back to showing off your car with "Good mods"

 

[LiquidX]

With enough rtv you can stop any leaks

It was a temporary fix until I got the new gasket in. With enouh RTV you can cause serious internal issues as well if I starts to flow into the oil and get caught and clogged in the strainer/oil pick up or get forced into an oil galley and cause starvation that way.

I just got lucky and the head doesnt see much pressure.

 

[TaylorGang]

i bet you have a bodykit and lambo doors too

Hah nope. Underglow tho

I ordered a new gasket already

 

[TSi Kid]

Hah nope. Underglow tho

I would keep that on the DL
Glad to hear that you're doing it the right way though.

And yeah I know all about rtv clogging up that oil pick up unfortunately.

 

[crazyboy81]

You just really need rtv in the tight corners. Like where the cam towers are bolted on the head. Small amounts. What I did was buy a $15 VC from the junkyard and prepped and painted it THEN replaced old crummy one.

 

[born2tune]

You just really need rtv in the tight corners. Like where the cam towers are bolted on the head. Small amounts. What I did was buy a $15 VC from the junkyard and prepped and painted it THEN replaced old crummy one.

you are correct, the manual calls for rtv on the corners of the cam towers and that is all.

i work on aircraft and it is a standard procedure to replace any rubber gaskets everytime you open its higher assembly. this applies to oil, fuel and air gaskets.

it is a good practice on vehicles also, specially the ones we care about.

 

[TaylorGang]

Thanks everybody...since my covers a mess does anyone know where i can powdercoat iy cheap

 

[crazyboy81]

If you want powedercoat you either have to do it yourself or buy it already done. Check ebay, I think they go for $30 or so.

 

[snowborder714]

You can send yours away (or purchase and then send your old one back as a core to not incur a core charge). It's just smarter to purchase one so you don't have any down time or risk something falling into your head that you might not know about or notice.

 

[bNasty]

you shouldnt be showing off your motor if you dont know how to take off the valve cover....

10mm bolts that go all the way around

 

[TaylorGang]

you shouldnt be showing off your motor if you dont know how to take off the valve cover....

10mm bolts that go all the way around

Thanks everyone. Snowboarder im gonna buy a new one and send core in. Thanks again

 

[Wobet]

When a gasket leak does it leak into the spark plugs?