oil leak - valve cover

[jeffbreeden]

I recently replaced my valve cover gasket which was leaking on a 97 4 cylinder.

The leak has returned ( or it was never fully sealed). I am seeing a oily area on the side of valve adjacent to the coil packs and also on top of the thermostat housing. Does anyone have any additional tips on the best way to seal up this area? I am going to try another gasket but I suspect I need to add some additional liquid gasket in this area to fully seal it up.

Any tips would be appreciated.

[ghettosled]

you will need from RTV to help seal the 'problem' areas - use it at any point where the mating surface isnt perfectly straight or flat. do make sure you torque the nuts on the plug tubes to the proper torque amount.

[bcsbadboys]

I'm having the same problem as well. I put a new gasket on, but I don't think I cleaned the mating surfaces enough. And I didn't apply any RTV silicone to the trouble spots listed in the Haynes. The guys at Car Quest said I wouldn't need to with a rubber gasket. I guess they were wrong.

[Venom_5]

i just replaced mine after a huge problem ... it should be cut and dry

remove the valve cover, put the new gasket in - clean the surface that the gasket will touch .... place the cover [with the gasket already in] back on .... torque the big spark plug nuts down enough and VOILA!

[MIC0417]

It shoudn't be that hard, just thoroughly clean the mating surfaces so they can have a proper seal

[ghettosled]

it wouldnt hurt to add some rtv to the problem areas. use brake cleaner to throughly clean the mating surfaces. then use some rtv where the gasket turns 90 degrees by the cam shaft and distributor. make sure the half moon plug is firmly in place and use some rtv there where the valve cover gasket mates.

[bcsbadboys]

I have to go back and clean the mating surfaces again because of a small leak. Do I also need to clean the gasket of oil residue before putting that back on? If so, is brake cleaner safe to use with a rag to wipe off the gasket?