Any kind of high temperature rtv sealant will work. You just need to apply the sealant at corners where the gasket is jointed. You will know what I am talking about once you open it up.

As for the cam tensioner gaskets, they are bit more involved. You need a cam tensioner removal tool to release the tension off the cam chains. Although the repair manual says you need to remove the cam shafts, you don't need to. You can pick out the gasket and the half moon seal using a small pick.

It would be a good idea to replace the cam tensioner seals while you have the valve covers off, but the valve covers aren't that expensive, nor hard to replace. So if you are not comfortable with removing the tensioners, and they are not leaking, then you may just want to leave them alone. But for a maticulous (aka ****) individual like myself, I would replace them.

 

Thanks for the info. I have a moderate skill at doing my own repairs, I would like to change all of the gaskets while I have the car taken apart. Is there any other work I should do while I have the car tore apart?

 

The only other thing that I can recommend is to do the rear cam seals and the plugs. The front ones are complicated to replace, (you have to remove the timing belt to get to it) but the rear ones should be prettry straight forward especially when you have everything opened up. You just have to remove the cam position sensor assembly on the driver side.

 

Looks like I have my weekend project, thanks for the info.

 

Good idea... and, if you put rtv only on one side (like the pan side), it'll stay with the pan the next time you remove it.

 

I used www.blauparts.com for my gaskets they worked great no problems. I didn't use any rtv but I have a 3.0and have had them off and back on with out leaks.

 

As HX already said it, any RTV sealant probably will work perfectly. I happened to order some Clear Sealant - REINZOSIL that withstands high temperatures, when I orderED most of my parts from ArizAutohaus.
I used it for the water pump as well and it seems to be very reliable and of superior quality.


Judging by your miles (144k), you are close to my mileage (153k) so you may be "shocked" of some findings.
Something else you can replace without getting into too much is the throttle body gasket. It would make for a good opportunity to clean the throttle body.
I replaced quite a bit of others (intake + exhaust manifold gaskets, and the valley pan gasket; head gaskets), but I had the engine tore apart.
The throttle body gasket (if you decide to do it) I got it from GermanAutoParts.com along with the polydrive socket bit for cylinder heads, but I had to call them and ask if they carry it.
Someone else had it (maybe RedlineMotive.com), but I can't remember where exactly I looked it up.
It was only like $ 4.... don't fall for $ 36 at PartsGeek or elsewhere.

 

Jackmup, you said you order your gaskets from www.blauparts.com. did you get the kit they offer to replace both the valve cover gaskets?

 

I order my parts from www.blauparts.com I hope to get it done this weekend.

 

I used that kit. Worked out great.