DIY Valve Cover Gasket by TomRitt
 

I posted last week that I was doing my valve cover gasket and somebody wanted instructions so here they are.

First take off your engine cover and coilpack. The coilpacks are held in by a 5mm allen bolt (not sure if they are bolted down on newer motors) Now located the 5 10mm nuts that will need to be removed as well as the grounding wire. Remove these bolts using an untightening pattern similar to that of a lug bolts. Also unclip the 2 clips holding on the timing belt cover (located at the very front of the motor)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...t/bentlery.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...t/46b6c7cb.jpg

Next pull off the valve cover as well as the gasket making sure not to get any dirt in the motor.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...t/69a2b0f8.jpg

After that clean off the mating surfaces on the head and the valve cover with a clean rag. Don't forget the center 4 holes for the spark plugs as well. After this apply a very light layer of gasket sealer/rtv along both the front and back of the motor especially in the corners and the "v" part of the head. Also apply to the matching side of the valve cover. (In the pic I only have the corners done but do all the way across the front and back of the motor.)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...t/e6df7529.jpg

Finally put the gasket and valve cover on and torque the bolts down to 7ft/lbs, using a tightening pattern similar to that of lug bolts.

I was looking at doing this myself vs paying $400+ for the shop to do so, however they mentioned something about a "tensioner". Have you done that as well and if so, was it very difficult?
They said something about pulling out a cylinder...