Hi, i am looking for a write up on how to replace the left side valve cover gasket as i have a leak and am tired of the smell and the fact that i have to add oil. Thanks.
-Pat

 

I haven't seen a writeup but it's easy. Pop the spark wires off, remove the three screws that mount the coolant overflow tank and tip it out of the way. Detach the PCV hose from the rear fitting on the valve cover. Take out the 8mm bolts that hold the cover on (strongly suggest using 1/4" drive tools - ratchet, socket, swivel, and 6" extension). Remove the cover, remove the gaskets, clean/scour the gasket mating surfaces with steel wool dipped in Seafoam, and reinstall in reverse with new gaskets. Be careful - the new outer gasket is going to seem to be too long and will be easy to install with a loop sticking out so pay close attention when it goes back together.

 

Oh, and there's a small vacuum line running across the front edge of the valve cover and down to the evap canister in the drivers lower front corner of the engine bay. You will break this line - it's brittle as all hell and I have yet to see anyone not break it. It may throw a code but won't hurt anything if you drive to the store with it broken to get some line for repair.

 

thanks for the info. i meant the other side next to the air filter but i guess it will be the same. oh and i was going to replace all my vac lines but never got to it, got some laying around in the trunk i hope that ecs tuning ships the gasket quickly.

 

Let us know how you make out. I've been wanting to do this as routine maintenance (along with the vacuum lines) and have just kept putting it off.

 

It's basically the same. You have no vacuum line to worry about and you pull the intake pipe off. There's an additional 10mm bolt on the forward part of the fuel rail to remove and you have to finesse it past a couple hard lines by the secondary firewall but otherwise, same deal.