Is this a PITA? (valve cover removal)

[coffeeman885]

It looks like that I am leaking oil from my valve covers. It is just a seep but it is enough that it gets on my headers and smokes. It is just annoying. I am tired of smelling it and getting looks from people because there is smoke coming from my hood. How much of a PITA is it to change the gaskets. I have heard that the heads are bad but surely the valve covers can't be that bad, right? There does seem to be a bit of a clearance issue. I don't think it will be a problem getting the bolts out (unless they are hella long) but getting a torque wrench in there for the reinstall could be an issue. I am sure somebody has done this. If it is a pull the engine kinda thing like the heads then I will just live with it.

[mike-tracy]

Super, super easy. Not sure how many bolts (3-4?) on the SOHC heads, but you unbolt the small bolts on the covers (they are reused), chuck the bolt seals and the big gasket that surrounds the cam covers. Clean the crap, install gaskets & bolt seals and done!

[Jessekrs123]

It'll take you 20-30 minutes tops.

It's as easy as changing out spark plugs and wires.

[Florin1]

Oh and don't use a torque wrench on the valve cover bolts. Lol. I'd use a 1/4" ratchet, and just snug them up mild to moderate. They take very little torque.

[evolutionmovement]

They will almost seem like you aren't tightening the bolts enough. I think the spec is in the 5-8 ft/lbs. range.

[kimokalihi]

Oh and don't use a torque wrench on the valve cover bolts. Lol. I'd use a 1/4" ratchet, and just snug them up mild to moderate. They take very little torque.

You beat me to it! My general rule of thumb is don't use toque wrench on anything that's not internal or lug nuts. If you can't feel the proper amount of torque by hand on most bolts you either haven't had much experience or you shouldn't be working on cars.

It's a super easy job. But make sure you get the bolt gaskets or you'll be wasting your time because those are what usually leak. Happy wrenching. Wear gloves, oil is toxic.

[coffeeman885]

Good info. I might get this done this weekend.

Wear gloves, oil is toxic.

I have just recently become a fan of nitrile gloves. They are so much better than mechanix gloves since you can just throw them away. I wish I had taken a picture of the pile of gloves that I went through last week working on my car. It was almost comical.

Thanks for the quick responses.

[Apex3]

It's cake, and it's usually the bolt seals that leak, not the gasket, so make sure you replace those, I did both.

[kimokalihi]

I just said that...

Nitrile gloves are nice for oily stuff or when it's hot out but during the winter/spring around here I use nice warm mechanic type gloves that I believe are water proof.

[coffeeman885]

Do I need to drain my oil to do this? How much oil is in the covers since they are sideways?

[evolutionmovement]

No and there shouldn't be much at all—barely enough to drip maybe.

[coffeeman885]

OK wasn't sure. The sideways motor thing is still new to me. I didn't think that there would be much oil but I wanted to check before I pulled one off and went "dammit" as oil poured out everywhere.