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Author Topic: Valve cover gasket leaking  (Read 989 times)

luckyd20

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Valve cover gasket leaking
« on: October 03, 2012, 07:27:00 PM »
So I replaced valve cover gasket after replacing the grommets and they are leaking. Do they require gasket sealer? I believe I've torqued them correctly. What are you torquing the valve covers at?
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Offline Bob_Roller

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Re: Valve cover gasket leaking
« Reply #1 on: October 03, 2012, 07:31:42 PM »
No one seems to be able to find a torque value for the three nuts that hold the valve cover on .

I wouldn't put sealant on them, as you have to remove the valve covers and check / adjust the valve clearances regularly .
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Offline nhmaf

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Re: Valve cover gasket leaking
« Reply #2 on: October 03, 2012, 11:01:02 PM »
Don't put alot of torque on the outer end nuts, and DEFINITELY don't put alot of torque on the center "acorn" nut or you will find that stud coming out with the nut next time.

Make sure that the mating surfaces are CLEAN.  You could put a bit of sealant on ONE side of the gasket - usually the valve cover side - so the gasket will stick to it but still be easily removable from the head.  Usually one can get away with this method for a few years before the gasket requires replacing - they do harden and shrink a bit with age.

Another option is to get the thicker, squishier silicone gaskets from realgaskets.com.   If the head or valve cover surfaces are just slightly warped, the thicker squishier gaskets can take up the slack.  Just be aware that they are thicker and squishier so don't overtorque the nuts putting them on.
« Last Edit: October 03, 2012, 11:01:54 PM by nhmaf »
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luckyd20

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Re: Valve cover gasket leaking
« Reply #3 on: October 04, 2012, 01:08:40 AM »
Quote
Don't put alot of torque on the outer end nuts, and DEFINITELY don't put alot of torque on the center "acorn" nut or you will find that stud coming out with the nut next time.

Make sure that the mating surfaces are CLEAN.  You could put a bit of sealant on ONE side of the gasket - usually the valve cover side - so the gasket will stick to it but still be easily removable from the head.  Usually one can get away with this method for a few years before the gasket requires replacing - they do harden and shrink a bit with age.

Another option is to get the thicker, squishier silicone gaskets from realgaskets.com.   If the head or valve cover surfaces are just slightly warped, the thicker squishier gaskets can take up the slack.  Just be aware that they are thicker and squishier so don't overtorque the nuts putting them on.

Thanks I'll give it a shot.
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