Thread: Valve cover gasket replacement question.

Rear is easier than the front

I thought the rear was way hard?

anyway I have to wait a few days to get the elbows because napa,advance,autozone didn't have them. Sorry If I come across like a wimp but I just get bad anxiety when working on my car because I don't want to break anything because my family is tight on money, honestly Id feel comfortable having a shop do it but on a budget its impossible. Meh, I'm sure everything will turn out fine but I still think being 17 and knowing this stuff is awesome, even for a guy going into an IT field. Sorry to derail thread.

Originally Posted by matt5112

Only if you own a 97/98.

Otherwise, front is a thousand times easier than the rear.

in 97/98 you can get the rear cover off without involving coolant.

in 99+, coolant is involved.

Well glad I have a 98 then lol

I've done many 99+ without involving coolant. Just takes a little skill.

Okay, not sure how many people are still with this thread, but I started on the rear tonight got everything off but the valve cover, after wrenching to get a bracket off I started smelling fuel from when seemed to be where a fuel line runs on top of a fuel rail near the firewall, I don't see a leak just smell the vapors. Not sure but I think its normal.

Ahh, just makin sure. I'm taking a break right now because my back is toast. I'm gonna try to get the rear VC gasket replaced then mess with the other stuff tomorrow. I spilt a crap ton of coolant on the floor and my dad was like, "you better clean that coolant up"

My buddies wife's pa did that with the fuel rail and i just put some rubber line and double clamped each end.

GOOD NEWS! Rear cover is on I just have to put the aluminum elbows in and button everything up tomorrow. Any tips for putting in the elbows?

Like lube the o-rings right? I planned on doing that, actually found the elbow replacement thread and it told me everything I needed. Gah so nervous/anxiety, don't want **** to leak anymore I'm tired of smelling coolant burning.

Well gentlemen I has been successful, I tried my best to bleed the cooling system I think their is still more air but its not overheating on idle. I'l have to give it a drive to make sure that it does not burn coolant or oil off the exhaust. Everyone has been very helpful. Surprisingly when oiled, the coolant elbows go in like a breeze. Maybe now I can enjoy life at stop signs and not smell oil or coolant!

I'm also stumped because the top rad hose is like vacuumed closed

You need a new rad cap

I didn't buy one but I might have fixed the problem. When I opened the rad cap after it cooled down it was really low with coolant. I topped it off then let it warm up to when the fans kick on, then I added more. So it should be better now. If not Time for a new rad cap.

what bolt? on the top motor mount/ coil bracket? front cover?

if so you need to take the tentioner off first.