Mach1Up

Greetings All:

Can someone help on the following:

Would like to Powder coat my valve covers. The challenge here is Im being cautious not to screw things up long term.... Heres the facts: The Drivers side cover has the PCV outlet tube. I say outlet because it will pass air through the tube and out but not in. Uni-directional.
It is also is permanantly anchored in its place and can't be removed. It is integral to the cover. You pooch the tube - you replace the cover.
On the under side of the cover the tube does a 90 degree and runs into the area that is covered by a riveted plate. At the 90 degree curve, it is housed in a rubber grommet where it enters the underside plate. (See Pics)

Heres my questions: the Powder Coat process bakes the topcoat of powder in an oven at 400 F. The rubber grommet is good for likely 212 to 230.

1 - will/has the high oven temperature destroyed the rubber grommet?
2 - does the PCV tube and its uni-directional properties get compromised from the high heat rendering it damaged?
Before I put the covers in this heat would like to know feedback from the members.

Thanks for your time/support!

Mach1Up

SCCAGT

When I did mine, I left it alone. Only took out the rubber seal for the cam phaser.

Lem-06

If the powder coating will involve any sand blasting its best to strip the entire inside of the cover out, that metal shield inside will collect sand and can be introduced to the valvetrain/oil while on the car.

not sure about the rubber or anything but probably best to remove it all

Rocket Ray

I would bet that rubber grommet is good for a lot more than 230 degrees. After you get done running your car hard, how hot do you think it gets? Very likely, much warmer.

When I blasted my covers I strapped each onto a solid piece of sturdy Styrofoam, doing as much as I could to keep the glass bead out of the inside of the covers. Afterwards I rinsed them several times in a solvent tank to get any stray particles out.

GTRaider

I recall reading a thread a few years ago about a guy who powder coated his valve covers and developed some hard to trace problems shortly after. I don't recall the entire story but after months of chasing the problem, he discovered that the high temperature of the baking oven caused a rubber grommet to be destroyed or at least damaged enough to cause all of his problems.

There have been others here who have had theirs done without problems so it must be something that can be done but perhaps their Powder Coater used a lower temperature to bake their parts.

In any case, if I were to have it done, I'd try to get all rubber parts out if at all possible.