DjBootleg813

whats up guys.. long time no talk.. looking to get my valve cover gaskets replaced due to oil in a few of my spark plug tubes.... called one shop today and they quoted me 450$??? sounds like a lot... idk what is the average price???

thanks dudes..

art02gt

Idk what shops charge,but i dont think its something you couldnt do yourself. Do some research on how to do it yourself, if youre mechanically inclined i think it would be a fairly easy job. (Just a thought, never had to do it myself.)

Stevo86

It's not hard at all just kind of a pain in the butt due to how they go in. If you are even a little mechanically savvy it is not anything you couldn't do in an afternoon.

If you do decide to do it yourself, do yourself a favor and use some kind of non corrosive adhesive (not super glue). Glue the gasket into the valve cover so it doesn't fall out on re-installation. Also don't forget to use some RTV where the head meets the timing cover.

DjBootleg813

i am/was considering doing it myself... but the whole "torquing" the bolts and not doing it to hard and what not seems confusing and tuff.. and you guys think that would probably fix the oil leaks in the tubes?

Stevo86

It should fix the oil in the spark plug wells problem. Don't worry about a torque wrench for valve cover bolts. Just use a 1/4 in drive ratchet, it will make it easier to get to some of the bolts anyway.

Do tighten them starting in the middle and working your way out in a cross pattern.

petrock

Pick up a torque wrench. They are pretty inexpensive and always come in handy. Some auto parts stores rent them too. Find out the torque value for your motor and torque them down properly. Don’t guess. If you tighten them too much you could squish the gasket and deform it causing a leak.

To hold the gasket in the valve cover during install, use a bit of thin thread or fishing line. Put the gasket on the valve cover and tie a loop through the bolt hole & gasket whole loosely to hold the gasket in place while its upside down during install. Do this to a couple bolt holes. Once you have the cover in place you can just cut the string and pull the string out. No damage.

I recommend Fel-Pro gaskets.