Thread: Valve cover gasket replacement

Nice job David. I can't wait to see everything installed. Be sure to get pics of the tilter hooked up. I have 4 pictures I took tonight, but IMO they are took dark to be useful. However since I said I would..here ya go.

I replaced mine last year, but I had help (Thanks Webracin). Its a common problem for coolant leaks into the engine, so you would probably be doing yourself a favor by replacing it now and you'll get good use out of that torque wrench

Originally Posted by SyntheticShield

I replaced mine last year, but I had help (Thanks Webracin). Its a common problem for coolant leaks into the engine, so you would probably be doing yourself a favor by replacing it now and you'll get good use out of that torque wrench

Hmmm thats a thought since I have almost everything already off. BUT, I dont think mine is leaking. I have a very small amount of leakage around my valve covers. So that will be fixed when I install the new covers. As for the manifold, I think I'll leave that one alone. I think I already bit off more than I can chew. Taking the stuff off wasnt the hard part. Remembering where everything goes is going to be the hard part.

Just take your time, label everything regardless of whether you know where it goes or what it is. Clean everything like you were getting ready to do surgery. Do that and take it slow and easy and you'll have no problems.

When me and Chris did my LIM gaskets last year we repalced those, new injector o-rings, new LIM, modular pulley system, replaced one of my axles and God knows what else. But we took our time and when we got it all back together, we had not ONE extra bolt or nut or anything and the car started on the very first try and had not ONE leak.

Originally Posted by David99GTP

Hmmm thats a thought since I have almost everything already off. BUT, I dont think mine is leaking. I have a very small amount of leakage around my valve covers. So that will be fixed when I install the new covers. As for the manifold, I think I'll leave that one alone. I think I already bit off more than I can chew. Taking the stuff off wasnt the hard part. Remembering where everything goes is going to be the hard part.

For what it is worth, I documented every step...In this way, all I did was to reverse them to ensure that I did not forget anything...Believe it or not, it worked like a charm...Of course, it took a bit longer..

Mike at WBody store indicated that the manifold gasket leak is a common problem with the 3.8 litre motor. I think it is leaking at the front of the engine and not so much the sides. That is where the half round rubber gaskets seal.

Originally Posted by Burgundyman

Nice pictures. Although my tilter arrived, my torque wrench is still in the mail. Can't get started on the other vc yet...Now it looks like the manifold gasket is also leaking...I figure I might as well replace it...I can't imagine where else the oil could be coming from because the front vc is tight and dry.

Anyone replace the manifold gasket?...I see that you can get an aluminum one, which is an improvement over the OEM.

LOL I have to be more careful since it appears I'm getting Burgundyman the OP and David crossed.

Its OK I knew you were confused. Just dont get confused on the advice

Originally Posted by IndeedSS

Manifold Absolute Pressure sensor. If you look at your rear valve cover there is small horsehoe squared off metal bracket that holds the MAP sensor. I believe this may be in the way of you being able to remove the valve cover. The MAP is a black plastic rectangle with an electrical conenctor and a vacuum line that conenct to the underneath. I believe the same bracket holds the evap solenoid.

If it were me I would remove the alternator bracket and replace the coolant elbow while you are doing all of this. Yes it is the 90* black elbow. If installing a new one, be sure to put a little vasoline on the orings so they slide in easily and don't pinch or bind.

I was able to save 1 of 2 elbows. I figured it was a good idea to replace anyway. Probably brittle from being almost 10 yrs old. Went to autozone and they looked at me like a sprouted 8 heads. They had no clue, even the manager had no clue what I needed even though I had parts in hand and pictures on my cell phone.
Went to NAPA, they knew what it was. Said same as the cadi. But they didnt have the part. Advised me to go to a dealer. Its sat almost 5pm looks like Monday
I was able to get a lot of parts off though. I removed the engine lift brackets. Cleared up a ton of room. I think I can easily do the rear cover now.
I'll post up pics soon. I painted the exhaust and crossover pipe with ceramic 1200 degree paint. The bay is looking sharp.

Keep us posted, things are looking good. Id be curious as to how that paint holds up.

With regards to the coolant elbows. Autozone carries them, they are in the 'Help' section. They usually have them, so if you feel up to it, head there again and check it out.

Maybe I'll try another location. perhaps this one didnt have a big selection. I thought maybe pep boys too.

I hope the paint holds up. I cleaned and degreased before I sprayed. Good for 1200 degrees, so i think it'll be ok.

Toasty...I was thinking the same thing about AZ employees not knowing about the elbows in the Help section. I experienced the same thing and had to retrieve them myself and then point it out to the cashier.

I hit pep Boys and found the elbows. Thanks!
As for the breather, I shouldnt use it? What will happen? I bought it from ZZP. They only had one to select from. What should I do then, run it with the stock and throw the ZZP on for shows only?