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)



Next pull off the valve cover as well as the gasket making sure not to get any dirt in the motor.


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.)


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.

 

Nice write-up!

Submit this to the Admin (Amanda) so it can be posted in the DIY forum.

 

Thanks, will do

 

Good work tom.

 

Thanks alot, I have to do this sooner than later. Where'd you get the replacement gasket?

 

ecs tuning around $24 i believe

 

and if you had to replace your spark plugs, this kinda is the same operation? Same things removed?
Sorry if this sounds noobish, I'm kinda a noob.

 

lol, nope spark plugs are easy, just remove coilpacks, and get a 5/8(?) spark plug socket in there and you can get them out that way. Also you dont need to pull the plugs to do the valve cover gasket

 

Hmm... good to know, I have to do that, too. The less I pay the mechanic to fix my car for me, the more I can spend on other stuff for my car. Thanks Tom, you're swell.

 

Thanks Tom i ask you last week about it...... I'll do it this weekend....