Thread: Valve cover gasket replacement question.

Finally getting around to it Friday because I noticed a much stronger burning oil smell along with seeing fresh oil near the exhaust. I have an 02 GT, I know how to replace them generally speaking I have never done it before and I'm a little nervous. While changing the back one do I have to remove the alt/belt? Could I possibly break one of the coolant elbows (heard this could happen with messing with the alt)? I was looking into ordering the aluminum elbows just to not have to worry about them again (I think they are leaking already along with the LIM because of wetness around the elbows and some wetness on the right side of the TB under it but that's over my head), but I'm already nervous about changing the valve covers and don't want to mess anything up. Is this just straight forward for the coolant elbows and valve covers? I looked around in the "How to" section but the lack of pictures makes me feel blind.

searching is fun.....http://www.grandprixforums.net/valve...val-68066.html

The one thread I overlooked D:, should I just replace the elbows while I'm back their? I found a video and its like 4 bolts and its off.

after the alt is off its 3 bolts to get the alt bracket off to change the elbows. clean all 4 holes real well, make sure they are free of any old broken elbow, and any crud. chances are they will break when you take the bracket off.

lube the new o rings with a dab of oil, and slide them back in the holes.

Would regular engine oil work? I also have WD40

yes engine oil works, vaseline, spit lol

i pull the dip stick out and wipe the stick of on my finger, use that to wipe on the o rings. mess free kinda, cant spill nothing like that either lol

Thanks, I will report back Friday if all goes well or wrong with new VC Gaskets and Aluminum Coolant Elbows. Thanks!

If you run into any problems I could help.

I will post if I run into any problems!

While you have the alternator bracket off, go after the TB. The TB is only held on by 3 10mm nuts. Then you can swing it around clean it and address that other coolant leak while you are there. Likely the leak is the TB gasket.

Thanks bill, did more looking and it appears to be around the TB so I'll jump and replace that gasket as well. Did some snooping around the engine to see what all needs to come off and found this lonely connectors without a home near the rear of the firewall. Don't see were it can plug into so I'm assuming its not used?

I'm pretty sure that's not needed. I think it's for california emissions cars.

I can't get the bolt off the engine mount bracket that's near the injector, I can get a 13mm wrench on but not a ratchet it but I'm struggling to loosen it. Iv been at it for about an hour and haven't gotten far, I'm just going slow to do it right.

did you take the tentioner off first?

No, I'm doing the front one first, so I don't have to yet

Got it off with hammer power.

my bad, your N/A, no tentioner on the coil bracket.

I should have the front all done tonight, I have to mow the lawn then head on over to advanced auto and grab everything. Tomorrow or Friday is the rear and aluminum coolant elbows.

I didnt have a low enough toqure wrench so I got them snug+ alittle so like snug snug.

All is good for the front one for now I'll have to drive on it for a week to see if it leaks. Still nervous about the rear one because more has to come off.