Replace Y33 spark plugs and valve cover gasket on driver side. How much work?

[miata007]

My driver side (Y33) valve cover is leaking pretty bad. Everytime I come home from work, I smelled the oil dropped into the exhaust manifords or some super hot metals, causing a bad burnt smell. Looked underneath and did see the oils are coming from the top so I presume is the value cover gasket.

Sometimes ago, I've already replaced the PASSENGER side valve cover gasket already. Wasn't too bad but did required good effort and plenty of patience. The bolts on the cover was really loosed...can turn them with my finger without any tools. I could've just tighten it and the oil leak would go away.

On the driver side, it is a different story so need you guys helped. At a hi level, what needs to be removed? How many day should I expect this car to be out of service? I can only worked on it on the weekends, so can span every weeks I think. Really need to get this fix ...afraid of engine fire. I've already practice fire drill in case that happens.

Any way, in addition, I am planning to change the spark plugs on this side as well and clean the thottle body and anything related to the engine hestiation issue everyone is having (almost). Now it is at 180,000 on the original powertrain. I am planning to drive to 200k before getting rid of it.

Thanks in advance! Please let me know if it has been posted before so I can do a search.

007


Modified by miata007 at 5:07 PM 2/11/2008

[3Q Jay]

yeah, it's been posted. bulletandy did some pics.you said driver side twice. was last time pass side?i just did pass side on fgy33, and it was very straightforward.drivers side is more involved since you will need to pull tb, iacv. the job will actually be much easier if you pull the upper plenum. that also takes care of the bugger bracket. be sure you have tb, iacv replacement gaskets on hand, as you will likely be replacing them. change out the drivers bank pcv also while you are in there.

[JOHNQ]

just had mine done on thursday .cost me $200 for everything.did the pass side in december for $160 at the same shop.im in north jersey

[96Qowner]

Here's Andy's Y33 valve cover replacement thread:

zerothread?id=230219

[dirtylarry]

hey man just had mine done this week by my mechanic he had it done in 4 hours once he got the parts in and it cost me $440 for both sides

[miata007]

thanks for the reply, specially the one with the link and very good pics. Sorry for the typo....it is the driver side that is leaking. I really hope that I don't have to remove the plenum to replace the value cover gasket. I may consider the alternate route by cutting through some metal bracket that Andy has done. Again, don't really intent to keep this car that long so will try to minimize labors and $ into this car.

I will start on this in a month or so and will post more pics.

007
Modified by miata007 at 3:35 PM 2/12/2008

[maxnix]

I really hope that I don't have to remove the plenum to replace the value cover gasket. I may consider the alternate route by cutting through some metal bracket that Andy has done. Again, don't really intent to keep this car that long so will try to minimize labors and $ into this car.

Well, that is certainly a short term outlook. Why not just sell it as is while there is still some value?