Valve Cover Gasket

[arionp]

Hello,

My valve cover gasket has been leaking and it's getting worse. I have very little money so I wanted to ask how hard this would be to change myself. Have any of you done this? If so, do you have any tips or advice on changing it?

Thanks,

Arion

[trpower7]

It's really easy Pull out the spark plug wiresUnbolt the six bolts that hold the cover onLift it offPull out the old gasket, scrape the surface cleanCoat sealing surfaces with RTV and put a new one downRe-Install cover with six boltsPut spark plug wires back onDone

[arionp]

BTW, I have a 95 S14.

Thanks again!

[arionp]

Trpower, what is RTV and what does the acronym stand for? Also, when you say scrape the surface, do I need to use a detergent of any kind or just a good wipe down with a cloth?

I read an old post about the 91's valve cover that said to be carefull to not overtighten. is this the same on the s14, and on most cars for that matter?

Thanks again.

[JNM240]

RTV is a silicone sealer you can pickup at your autoparts store. To scrape it, i would suggest getting a razor blade and going gently over it, being careful not to score the metal (its alluminum, which is soft and easy to mark up). Same goes for tightening the valve cover bolts back down. I would actually get a screwdriver type attachment for your 10mm bolt and put them down tight with that, not with a socket wrench which might overtighten and strip the thread out.

[stickgoat]

I changed the VCGs on my Probe when I had it, and it wasn't hard. And there was a whole lot more sh*t to remove than there will be on the 240.

You can do it, sailor.

[arionp]

Thanks for all the help everyone!

-Arion

[96_S14_SE]

Yeah its realy easy to do. 96 (me) or 91 - 92 (first car was a 91 and my gf has a 92) same deal no problem. 95 + is actually a little more difficult as the half lobes that cover the camshaft sprocket bolt holes are on the gasket itself.

RTV stands for room tempature vulcanizing sealant btw. Use the red stuff and apply a liberal amount to the half lobes, making sure that you get it in the corners. Install the back half first then set the front in. Reach around to make sure the lobes seated well and tighten her down, but not too tight. It could strip rather easilly.

My gf had a 89 probe and I did it on that too. Wasnt difficult but I hated that car. Everything rubber on it turned into plastic. Gaskets hoses you name it. Took me 2 hrs to curse at the thing then 10 mins to get it done. I hated that breather tube as well as it cracked when doing the replacement. ERRR i hated it hehe

[Former_240_s14]

Hey, if you are a lil' weary on doing it still, go up to your local library and pick up a chilton's manual for your car. I am working on putting a push button ignition for my car right now, and I am borrow the book from my local library.

[neurovish]

anybody got torque numbers for the valve cover handy? I remember it being something ridiculously low...like 5lbs. I need to do this also...my engine is starting to look pretty ugly. Any preferred place/kinds of gasket to use for this, or just go with the discount auto special?

[Former_240_s14]

Do you have any ideas where it would be in the chilton's manual? I can not find it anywhere.

[APEXi240]

Chilton's STINK! Get a factory service manual, or a Hayne's manual (although I'm not sure if they make them for the 240, haven't seen one.)

Chilton's directions for changing the valve cover are probably as follows:Unbolt valve coverRemove gasketInstall new gasket

I had multiple jobs on my old Z in which that manual was completely useless.