Changing the valve cover gaskets

Rish · Post by **Rish** » Thu Dec 04, 2003 6:48 am

I took an appointment for Friday at my local 'roo dealer to get the above done. The quote was $143 cdn plus taxes. ($89 in labour, and $26 each

for the gaskets). Any thoughts on the cost? I can honestly say that I do not have the time (daily driver) or the indoor workspace (winter) to do it myself, and with the current cold, they have started leaking rather badly.

Rish

ciper · Post by **ciper** » Thu Dec 04, 2003 7:00 am

Too expensive. From www.subaruparts.com they are 14 canadian, and thats not always the cheapest place!

The job is pretty easy and takes very little time. I suggest doing it yourself. Why do you need indoor space? The replacement of the right side consists of three bolts. The replacement of the left is three + two for the oil filler neck.

entirelyturbo · Post by **entirelyturbo** » Thu Dec 04, 2003 7:22 am

If you don't wanna clean up the covers, since they're obviously covered in oil, it should be about a hour job tops. You'll need to remove the battery and windshield washer reservoir on the left, and maybe the air box on the right. Past that, it's a cinch. Just remember to get new grommets as well as gaskets, chances are your grommets are leaking too.

legacy92ej22t · Post by **legacy92ej22t** » Thu Dec 04, 2003 7:35 am

I too will be tackeling this job soon. Seems like it will be a snap. =)

scottzg · Post by **scottzg** » Thu Dec 04, 2003 7:42 am

me too! one is leaking torrentially onto my subframe, and it stinks if i drive on the freeway, then stop at a light. Very annoying.

Post by **Legacy777** » Thu Dec 04, 2003 5:00 pm

As other's have mentioned, make sure you replace the grommets and the O-ring on the oil filler neck.

More then likely the grommets & oil filler neck are what's leaking. You should be able to get at the valve covers from underneith the car easier, so you shouldn't have to remove the battery or any of that crap.

ciper · Post by **ciper** » Thu Dec 04, 2003 9:21 pm

subyluvr2212: I removed NOTHING except the valve covers themselves when I did mine. I did it in a JC Penney parking lot in about 25 minutes and I even sprayed them down in carb cleaner.

entirelyturbo · Post by **entirelyturbo** » Fri Dec 05, 2003 1:37 am

Yeah, shoulda said "it would be easier..." It certainly is possible, might end up with a few more skinned knuckles, but it's doable...

However, I did learn that Legacies are much easier to do than EA82's. My XT was MUCH harder

Rish · Post by **Rish** » Sat Dec 06, 2003 12:39 am

Thanks for the help and advice

Rish

kingston · Post by **kingston** » Thu Aug 02, 2007 7:09 am

was anybody elses driver side cover tightly squeezed to the frame of the car....cant wedge it out

douglas vincent · Post by **douglas vincent** » Thu Aug 02, 2007 7:30 am

Its a pain in the ass.

Personally, if you have the $143 Canadian, I would do it, but only if you can get a written warrenty against leaks.....

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Thu Aug 02, 2007 7:31 am

HUGE HELPER!!!

Unbolt the engine mounts and jack up the engine by the oil pan (use a piece of 2x4 so you dont dent the pan). 2-3 inches should be enough.

Makes the job 900x easier.

Bheinen74 · Post by **Bheinen74** » Thu Aug 02, 2007 7:56 am

my advice for people who think they have valve covers leaking, is to simply replace the grommets first. Then after driving the car for a week or so, the leaks will most likely be gone.

if.....they are still leaking, then replace the cover gaskets.

But most ALL times, the leaks are at the grommets.

kingston · Post by **kingston** » Thu Aug 02, 2007 8:52 am

got it figured out...it's like tetris! had to take the oil spout off first.

07Evolved · Post by **07Evolved** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 4:12 am

I need to do this now...does anyone have a write-up on this? I couldn't find one.

Does anyone have the part numbers for the gaskets, grommets, o-ring on the oil filler neck, etc so I know I have exactly what I need?

Post by **Legacy777** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 4:23 am

It's pretty straight forward. Remove three bolts, replace the gasket & grommets and that's it.

07Evolved · Post by **07Evolved** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 4:37 am

Thanks Josh...

Any chance you know the part numbers? How about the o-ring...replace that as well?

Post by **Legacy777** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 4:44 am

Not off the top of my head. But you can d/l the parts manual from me, which has all the part #'s in it.

http://bbs.legacycentral.org/viewtopic.php?t=30531

Apex3 · Post by **Apex3** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 6:18 am

Is there a bolt pattern for it? I mean i know it's only 3, but it could still matter...I just remember on my e30 there was a specific patter, there were about 12 bolts though.

Lunatech · Post by **Lunatech** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 8:52 am

Start in the center and work outward.

07Evolved · Post by **07Evolved** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 2:11 pm

Legacy777 wrote:Not off the top of my head. But you can d/l the parts manual from me, which has all the part #'s in it.

http://bbs.legacycentral.org/viewtopic.php?t=30531

Thanks again Josh!

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Changing the valve cover gaskets

Changing the valve cover gaskets