How to Supervene upon a Valve Cover Gasket Leak in three Steps

Replace the leaking valve cover gasket on a 4-cylinder engine in less than an hour

Introduction

Replace a leaky gasket cover on a 4-cylinder engine easily and in less than an hour for less than $25. We show you how to do it, step-by-step.

Tools Required

Materials Required

  • Restriction cleaner
  • Valve cover gasket kit
  • Vulcanizing (RTV) sealant

What Happens if My Valve Cover Gasket is Leaking?

On a 5-type engine, the leaking oil commonly merely drips downward the side of the engine (and onto your driveway) and turns into black muck. Just on a 4-cylinder engine, it can really leak into the spark plug tubes and crusade misfires. Replacing the gaskets on a 5-type engine is a job for the pros. But the valve cover gasket replacement toll on a four-cylinder engine is less than $25 and can be washed in about an hour.

Project step-by-step (three)

Step i

Remove the Leaky Valve Gasket Cover

Tap the cover loose fix a valve cover gasket leak

Kickoff the job by removing the decorative plastic cover on the top of the engine (if equipped). Remove the bolts and tap around the valve cover with a soft-faced mallet to break it loose. Never pry with metal tools—they can gouge the aluminum cylinder head and cause permanent leaks. Next, remove (and label) any hoses, cables and electrical connectors that attach to the valve cover. And then remove the spark plugs.

If you run into whatsoever oil pooling in the spark plug tubes, clean it out with a rag wrapped around a screwdriver. Exit as much gunk as you lot tin can and then remove and, if necessary, replace the spark plugs with new ones earlier proceeding. Once the new plugs are in, remove the valve cover concord-down bolts, noting the length and location of each bolt. And so break the valve cover loose and lift information technology off the engine.

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Step 2

Replace the Old Gasket

install new gasket valve cover

Peel off the quondam gasket and clean the valve encompass with brake cleaner and clean rags. Next, clean the gasket mating surfaces on the engine. Utilize the plastic putty knife (never metal) to remove any traces of old RTV from the timing belt embrace-to-cylinder head. Catch the old RTV with a rag so it doesn't fall into the engine. Once the cover and mating surfaces are clean and dry, apply new RTV in the same locations and install the new gasket. Valve encompass gaskets are designed to seal "dry out," so don't utilize sealant to the face of the gasket.

Finish off the job past snugging upwards the valve cover bolts to the torque specifications in your shop manual. Keep in mind that valve encompass bolt specs are usually shown in inch/lbs., not human foot/ lbs. To convert inch/lbs. to pes/lbs., simply divide past 12.

Reinstall all the cables, hoses, ignition components and electrical connectors and fire it upwardly.

Keep your engine clean with these tips.

Step 3

Calculation Silicone Sealant

new gasket

When my dad and I were changing the spark plugs on my Saturn, we noticed oil leaking around them. My dad said information technology was from a leaky valve cover gasket. A valve cover gasket toll $20 and we had it installed in near 20 minutes—it was really easy.

But a few weeks later information technology was leaking again. We didn't know nosotros had to smear silicone sealant over the timing comprehend joint. We redid the whole job, including the goop pace this time, and it'south been leak-free ever since.

The best part is, I figure I saved nearly $100 on valve cover gasket replacement cost! Morgan Larson

Check out these 100 Super-Uncomplicated Car Repairs You Don't Demand to Go to the Shop For.

Originally Published: October xv, 2022