It may be more cost effective to repair multiple leaks during one service call. Often, if a car is old enough to have a valve cover oil leak, there will be oil leaks elsewhere on the engine, so you should request a complete leak inspection.Not only are these materials not approved or specified by the original equipment manufacturers, but they also can create additional problems that may be costly to repair. Never add stop leak type products to engine oil or other vehicle fluids.However, many of these gaskets, including the valve cover gaskets, are relatively easy to replace.

The mechanical components of a car engine will typically outlive the gaskets used to seal the engine.When replacing a valve cover gasket keep in mind: Finally, the car engine is run and a visual check is made for oil leaks.

The cover is bolted back on, using a calibrated inch pound torque wrench, and all other components are restored to their original position. In some applications, oil resistant RTV (room temperature vulcanization) sealant must be applied to specific segments of the sealing surface, along with the new gasket, to ensure a complete and effective seal. If there are spark plug tube seals, these are replaced as well. The new valve cover gasket is applied along with new rubber grommets under the retaining bolt heads. The valve cover sealing surface is checked with a straight edge to be sure the cover is flat and thus reusable. Once the valve cover(s) is accessed, the cover retaining bolts are removed and the cover pulled off. On 6 or 8 cylinder engines, depending on which valve cover gasket is leaking, removal of the air intake plenum might be required, as well as additional steps. On 4 cylinder engines, the valve cover is usually readily accessed once any electrical components and emission control tubing are removed, plus any accelerator linkages that might be in the way. The plastic engine cover is removed to access the valve cover(s). Some engines have plastic covers over the entire top.

How do mechanics replace a valve cover gasket? Service type Valve Cover Gasket Replacement

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