valve cover gasket leaking...DIY?

[x_mods]

Nice! Ours is good sized, but the two front corners are pretty sharp and they don't get good clamping pressure from the bolts on either side

My only suggestion to add would be to shop vac/air compressor the whole area where you are going to be working in and around. The last thing you want to do is drop debris down into the oil passages...

[joefrontier2]

First check the bolts.

[2Canoe]

My valve covers started leaking and I just tightened the screws. Screws were really loose. No more leaks!

[BlueElectric]

Originally Posted by 2Canoe

My valve covers started leaking and I just tightened the screws. Screws were really loose. No more leaks!

On my 2004 V6, I was looking underneath for anything loose, and noticed the starter motor and solenoid was oily. I checked and saw a bit of oil weeping around the edges of the valve covers. So I tightened up the passenger side, and likewise I found that the screws were rather loose. I used a screwdriver, and wonder how to judge the amount of torque as given by the shop manual: 9-26 in. lbs. That's a wide range. So hopefully "guten tight" is OK.

I'll have to set some time aside for the driver's side. Maybe a simple tightening with a short screw driver will suffice, so that less disassembly is required, and one can just raise the intake up enough to get a hand underneath. Or is that wishful thinking?

[Gregg the G]

Becareful NOT to overtighten those VC screws, you'll crush the gasket& warp the V-cover and it'll really leak

[x_mods]

I can't say for 1st gens, but 2nd gens use bolts with a shank to keep that from happening

[Hertz]

Originally Posted by BlueElectric

I'll have to set some time aside for the driver's side. Maybe a simple tightening with a short screw driver will suffice, so that less disassembly is required, and one can just raise the intake up enough to get a hand underneath. Or is that wishful thinking?

Wishful thinking. theres a lot less room there than you think, it has to come off. It's not so bad, the hoses on the back are the big *****. Don't forget to get a gasket for the upper IM.

[joefrontier2]

IM was designed by an intern. They did not really think that thing through at all.

[Hertz]

Originally Posted by joefrontier2

IM was designed by an intern. They did not really think that thing through at all.

Hey now, its really easy to put on....









on the factory floor before it goes into the truck.

[cosmopedro]

not to side-jack the thread, but can someone tell me:

1) what the torque specs are on a 01 XE 4-cyl valve cover gasket

2) does the FSM call for sealant along w/the gasket?

I only have online alldatadiy.com manual for reference, doesn't answer either question.

Also, at first glance it doesn't appear I need to remove anything but v/c and plug wires to remove... true? If not, please clarify

Thanks!