Valve Cover Gasket

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Valve Cover Gasket
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The valve cover gasket(VCG) creates a seal between the valve cover and the cylinder head preventing oil from escaping the cylinder head. It breaks down over time due to the oil attacking it and the high temperatures in the engine compartment. When the gasket fails, oil will leak out onto the cylinder head and the engine block soaking the engine in oil. This situation creates many problems including oil leaking on your driveway or garage, a dangerous situation because oil on the exhaust could start a fire, and if you have another engine oil leak, it will be impossible to find due to the oil from the leaky valve cover soaking everything. For these reasons, it is crucial to fix a leaky cover. Replacing the (VCG) is not only cheap, but quick and simple to do as well.

To replace our valve cover gasket(VCG), follow the simple steps below:

1. Open the hood and prop it.

2. Remove the spark plug wires by pulling them from the base of the wire. You can use 45 degree needle nose pliers or spark plug wires to help you remove the wires. If you don't pull at the base of the spark plug wires you could damage them. Make sure to use a piece of masking tape on every wire indicating which cylinder it goes to. This will ensure that you don't cross wires and cause a misfire.

3. Remove the PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) tube and any vacuum lines attached to the cover.

4. Loosen the (VCG) bolts with a ratchet and remove the valve cover.

5. Remove the old gasket and replace with the new one.

6. Clean the cylinder head with fine sand paper so that the valve cover gasket has a clean, smooth surface to adhere to.

7. Place the (VCG) on the cylinder head and tighten the bolts. Torque them to about 15 ft. lbs. tightening the bolts more than that will cause the aluminum or plastic cover to crack.

8. Re-attach the vacuum lines and PCV tube.

9. Install the spark plug wires.

That's all there is to it. It is rather straightforward and is one of the easier do it yourself repairs to do on your vehicle. Before working on the engine be sure to allow the motor to cool down so that you don't burn yourself. And as always, wear eye protection to prevent personal injury.

Max Rossi writes for AutoBlock http://www.autoblock.com/ - Free online high-definition automotive videos, high-quality car photography, user community, forums and galleries.

Sponsored byFCPgroton http://www.fcpgroton.com/ your online resource for quality foreign car parts.

Preventing Lubricant Leak by Using Mazda Valve Cover Gasket

Automobile engines are almost like self-contained machineries that smoothly operate with the help of lubricants. To prevent overheating of moving parts due to friction, lubricants must be prevented from being spilled from the engine system. Lubricants allow moving parts to slide smoothly with minimal resistance. When there is no enough lubricants, the moving parts such as the valves will slow down and begin to heat up. The heat will cause the moving parts to expand or become deformed. Consequently, when this happens the moving parts will cease to function. On the other hand, even though the lubricant may be sufficient, the moving parts may still malfunction because of contaminants. Contaminants such as moisture, rust, dust and debris cab increase the abrasive action of the moving parts. Valves are particularly susceptible to solid contaminants. The contaminants can lead to clogging and deterioration of the moving parts. Energy will be wasted in counteracting the resistance caused by contaminants. To prevent lubricants from being spilled or contaminated, valve cover gaskets such as the Mazda valve cover gasket are integrated with valve covers.

Valve cover gaskets such as the Mazda valve cover gasket seals the valve covers with the valve trains, preventing lubricants from being spilled. Lubricants circulate the engine parts as long as the engine is running. The reasons behind this operation are both mechanical and logical. In mechanical terms, the oil lubricant circulates the engine block because of the oil pump. The oil pump drives the oil to circulate. However, the oil pump is powered by the camshaft. N turn, the camshaft is powered by the crankshaft, which is ultimately connected and driven by the pistons. Consequently, when the engine is not running, the oil pump will also be unable to function. Hence, the oil lubricant will be unable to circulate. On the other hand, logically speaking, there would be no need for the oil lubricant to circulate the engine block when the engine is not running because there would be no moving parts that require lubrication. Lubricants are only needed by moving parts to minimize friction and heat. Moving parts such as valves only need lubricants when they are operational.

When the engine is running, the lubricants automatically circulate the engine block. However, if the valve cover gasket or other gaskets are not tightly sealed, the lubricants will be spilled. Typically, the lubricants must be allowed to be collected in the oil pan. This will not be possible if the engine is a leaking contraption. Some amount of lubricants will evaporate while some amount will leak, drenching other parts that do not require lubrication. A valve cover gasket such as the Mazda valve cover gasket. A valve cover gasket is typically constructed out of metal, ceramic or composite material such as carbon fiber. Since the engine produces extreme thermal energy, ordinary rubber or plastic cannot be used because these gaskets will only melt. Valve cover gaskets are highly resistant to heat. These gaskets do not easily expand or contract even when under extreme temperature. Consequently, the gasket will not easily be loosened. The oil lubricant will not be spilled from the valve train of the engine.

About the Author

George Wiggins is a business man and also a part-time bartender. He is a car enthusiast and been exploring different kinds of car modifications for the past years.

Do you have to change the valve cover gasket and the head gasket at the same time?

I bought the valve cover gasket and plan on changing it today. Next week I plan on changing the head gasket. Should it be done at the same time? I heard everytime that you take the valve cover off you have to change the valve cover gasket. Is this true?

Its a 1996 toyota corolla 1.8L if that matters

What is wrong with your head gasket??? Is the engine overheating or blowing smoke of some kind?? Is this just an oil leak, here??? The valve cover gasket is done to stop external oil leaks, usually. Sometimes, you can just tighten the bolts and nuts down a little.

1989 Dodge Dakota review from North America
What things have gone wrong with the car? Valve cover gasket was first replaced at 34,000, than again at 91,000. I just changed it again at 180,000. The starter was replaced at 139,000. the radiator at 167,000.

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