Self-development 

How to change the valve gasket. How to change the valve cover gasket? Errors after replacing the gasket

You can combat engine oil leaks by increasing the sealing of the system. In many cases one of effective methods is to replace the valve cover gasket.

This problem should not be left to for a long time without a solution, since a decrease in oil level can lead to disastrous consequences. Also, the cylinder block will end up with streaks due to poor sealing, which will lead to a sloppy appearance.

Before you change the valve cover gasket, you need to purchase a high-quality replacement for the worn part. You should not save in such a situation and purchase a cheap fake or make a purchase of low quality in a dubious place.

All installation/dismantling work may turn out to be useless, and it will need to be carried out again literally after a couple of thousand kilometers. This will require another engine wash and maintenance costs.

In the engine compartment, even a novice driver will be able to notice the valve covers, since some automakers install them painted bright colors. This element ensures the closure of the gas distribution mechanism. There is a gasket between the cover and the body.

Rubberized material long time retains its properties when working with significant temperature changes and aggressive chemical environments. Over the entire surface, the valve cover gasket is bolted to the body through the cover itself.

Need for replacement

Depending on operating conditions, after 10-15 thousand kilometers it loses its elastic properties and needs to be replaced. The procedure is simple and rarely takes more than an hour for an experienced driver.

If you identify indirect or direct signs, you should stop by the nearest auto store and stock up on a new gasket. These signs include:

  • presence of oil traces on the outside of the lid;
  • mandatory during major or routine engine repairs;
  • during timing belt repair, and sometimes when changing engine oil;
  • at diagnostic work with a motor.

Garage conditions and a repair kit are suitable for replacement. You will also need wrenches and a screwdriver. Better adherence to the surface is ensured using a sealant. It is also necessary to use a solvent to degrease the mating surfaces.

Replacement procedure

To replace the valve cover gasket, you will need to dismantle the air cleaner and unscrew all the bolts around the perimeter. It is advisable to do this in a checkerboard pattern so as not to create additional stress on the remaining fasteners.

After removing the old gasket, sometimes you need to clean the surface from any remaining stuck material. This must be done carefully so as not to damage the body part.

You need to know that even a good-looking gasket should not be reused, as it loses its elasticity and will not provide high-quality isolation of the working area from the external environment.

Step 1. Remove the cover Step 2. Install the gasket

Before installing a new gasket, the contacting surfaces are cleaned and degreased. A sufficient amount of sealant is applied to both clean, dry sides. The assembly of the structure is carried out in the reverse order of disassembly. Tightening the bolts is also done first in a checkerboard pattern, and then brought to maximum force.

Not in all cases, motorists are able to carry out the procedure without problems. Sometimes an oil leak forms almost immediately after several kilometers of driving. There may be several most popular reasons for this:

  • use of low-quality gaskets;
  • insufficient amount of sealant used, careless application of it to the surface;
  • misalignment of the cover caused by improper tightening of the fasteners.

You need to know that for cars there are diagrams for tightening the bolts on the covers, which can be found in the car’s operating instructions.

The replacement must be carried out when the engine has cooled down so that thermal expansion does not negatively affect the performance result.

To work with fasteners, you usually need a 10mm wrench. After unscrewing all the bolts, you must thoroughly rinse the parts to remove any remaining grease or old sealant.

Application of sealant

It is advisable to tighten the bolts using a torque wrench. If there is no scheme according to which the operation is carried out, then it can be found on the official website of the manufacturer. In any case, the fasteners are tightened from the middle to the edges.

The preliminary force on the torque wrench should be about 5 Nm, and during final tightening it doubles to 10 Nm. Only after this can you add engine oil.

Torque wrench

The gasket is not placed on the entire surface at the same time, but first one side is leaned against, and then the middle is lowered, the second side is placed last so that the sealant is evenly distributed over the surface. Its layer should be about 2-3 mm on each side.

You need to know that leftover pieces from the old gasket are not allowed on the body, as they will reduce the tightness of the structure.

The approximate time for complete hardening of the sealant is about 10-12 hours. After this, the car can be used as usual.

Oil leakage from under the valve cover is a fairly common failure in many engine models. In most cases, the valve cover gasket needs to be replaced. The procedure is simple, but there are several nuances that should be studied before starting the repair.

When to change?

The frequency of replacement depends on the specific car model and operating mode. For example, the Chevrolet Lacetti has this chronic disease. The factory valve cover gasket lasts from 40 to 100 thousand kilometers, but after the first replacement you will have to repair this unit more often. For many car owners, this becomes a forced annual ritual.

On some engines, the valve cover gasket may leak very little oil ("sweat"), and this can continue for years. It is better not to touch this option. If the leak becomes noticeable (drips on the engine, oil stains under the car), then do not delay replacement.

A 100% sign that the gasket needs to be replaced is when oil begins to completely fill the spark plug wells, which leads to unstable engine operation. You can, of course, soak up the oil with a rag, but you will quickly get tired of this procedure, and it is not at all useful for the operation of the engine.

In cases where the engine or gas distribution mechanism has been repaired, replacing the valve cover gasket is mandatory. Even if the old one didn't leak.

Can I change it myself?

If desired, every driver can handle the replacement procedure. The valve cover gasket is fairly easy to remove. It is enough to disconnect all the pipes that fit the lid. Then unscrew all the mounting bolts. This will give you access to the gasket, which needs to be removed and discarded. Before starting work, it is recommended to disconnect the negative terminal of the battery to avoid accidental short circuits.

The reverse order is a little more complicated. It is necessary to thoroughly clean the “seat” of old sealant and dirt. The cover also needs to be cleaned and degreased (in areas of contact with the gasket). Now you can install a new spare part. To ensure that the valve cover gasket does not get damaged during assembly, you will need information on the correct torque pattern. The quickest way to find this out is in the user manual.

The tightening torque is important, which must be adjusted with a torque wrench. But since such a tool is not always possible to find, many trust their own feelings. The main thing is without fanaticism.

Possible complications

If after replacing the gasket the problem of oil leakage remains, there may be several reasons. The most common is the use of low-quality gaskets. Good gaskets are made from special staff, which is resistant to temperature changes and the effects of oil and gasoline. The valve cover gasket for a VAZ is inexpensive, but for foreign cars the situation is completely different. Therefore, many car owners purchase gaskets of dubious origin in an attempt to save money. Most often this leads to reverse effect. As a result, you have to repeat the repair procedure and buy a better quality spare part.

Sometimes replacing the gasket does not help due to deformation of the valve cover. Replacing it will cost significantly more. Although the repair procedure and procedure are no different. On some engine models (for example, 1.8 and 2.0 liters in the Peugeot 407), the gasket is not supplied separately. It comes complete with a valve cover and only the original one, which is quite expensive (using various sealants does not help). This feature is useful to know before purchasing.

One of the most basic mistakes when replacing a gasket is neglecting the pattern and tightening force of the bolts. In this case, a misalignment occurs, which leads to leakage and deformation of the valve cover.

Bottom line

Replacement is not difficult, but before starting work, you should arm yourself with knowledge and a torque wrench. The main points that you need to know: the degree and pattern of tightening, whether it is necessary to use sealant (and what type), whether additional rubber rings are needed for the bolts. There may be some hiccups the first time, but the second time the procedure will take no more than an hour. Happy renovation!

The engine valve cover is the first element that the eye falls on when opening the car hood. Many motorists like to paint the valve covers along with the air cleaner body in contrasting bright colors, thus emphasizing the individuality of the engine compartment of their car. The purpose of the valve cover is obvious and quite simple - it protects the gas distribution mechanism and is equipped with a neck for filling engine oil. The cover is attached to the valve head with several bolts or nuts, and there must be a gasket under the cover.

Sometimes it happens that such a seemingly durable element located on the surface requires replacement. Sometimes, due to the fact that the tightening torques of the bolts were not observed correctly, or the cover moved due to the impact high temperatures on low-quality materials from which it was made. Of course, there can be no talk of any tightness, and the lid urgently needs to be changed.

Purpose of the valve cover

To determine the purpose of the valve block cover, it is necessary to clearly understand its location in the engine. Logically and based on the name, this element is located close to the engine valves, which are designed to intake and inlet air into the combustion chamber and exhaust exhaust gases from it. The camshaft, which is a steel axis with cams mounted on it, is responsible for ensuring that the valves open in a timely manner. The camshaft drives the power unit. At the moments of its rotation, the camshaft acts on the valves with cams, opening them. All this mechanism is called a gas distribution valve, and it is closed by a valve cover.

To ensure that all rotating mechanisms are in the process of uninterrupted stable operation, they are lubricated with engine oil. On early car models, the valve cover did not exist as an engine element. What happened? The entire engine compartment was covered in splattered motor oil. Lubricant was wasted excessively. But an even bigger problem with the lack of a valve cover was that dust could get into the system, subsequently contaminating this precise mechanism. Reliability was at an extremely low level.

To summarize, we can say that the valve cover does two things important functions: prevents dust and dirt from entering the valve mechanism of the power unit, and also prevents engine oil from escaping. Therefore, the valve cover helps keep the engine clean, both inside and out. A well-maintained car is a significant factor that determines the good reputation of its owner.

What is needed to replace the valve cover?

Having acquired a set simple tools and the desire to service your car, you can very quickly carry out the procedure of replacing the engine valve cover yourself. Consumables you will need:

- new valve cover;

Good high temperature engine sealant;

Degreaser or solvent: gasoline, anti-silicone or other;

Torque wrench.

Features of replacing the valve cover

The valve covers are very easy to replace. To do this, remove the air-cleaning housing and unscrew the fastening bolts around the perimeter. If there are additional devices (any attachments) on the cover, they should also be removed. Check the gasket: if it is also damaged during engine operation, then you will have to replace it too. The contact area between the main cylinder block and the cover should be cleaned of old sealant and degreased. Lubricate the gasket on both sides (if you are changing it too), put it in place and cover with a new lid. Reassemble in exactly the reverse order.

You should never order car parts just by searching on the Internet. Always ask questions and look for other sources. Compare and weigh the pros and cons before placing an order. The best option will go to the store and consult with the seller. Then you will protect yourself from liability for the wrong choice of valve cover, which will fall on the auto shop employee. His direct responsibilities include selection using the vehicle identification number (VIN).

Common mistakes when replacing a valve cover

It would seem, at first glance, that the simple procedure of replacing the valve cover still causes difficulties for some motorists. After installing a new cap, oil may begin to leak, which was not there before. Errors may vary. The most common of them are the following:

1. Using a low-quality lid or a not quite suitable model;

2. Incorrect application of sealant or use of one that has expired;

3. Distortion of the cover itself as a result of uneven tightening of nuts or bolts.

Before repairing your car, be sure to study the valve cover tightening diagram in your manual. Just act on it. At the same time, control the tightening force with a torque wrench.

Very often you see an oily engine under the hood of a VAZ 2109-2108, and the most common reason for this is a leak from under the valve cover. To eliminate it, it is necessary to replace the gasket, which is the cause of the leaks. To do this we need the following tool:

  • socket head 10
  • ratchet handle
  • extension
  • Phillips screwdriver

First of all, we unscrew the hose clamps that fit the valve cover both from the front and the back, and then disconnect the hoses:

Then unscrew and remove the bracket for fastening the accelerator drive cable and move the cable to the side. Now all that remains is to unscrew the two nuts securing the cover to the cylinder head, as is clearly demonstrated in the photo below:

Remove the washers with sealing rubber bands on both sides:

And after that, you can easily remove the valve cover, since nothing else holds it:

Now we pry the old gasket with our fingers and carefully remove it from its seat in the lid:

We carefully clean the grooves and the recess for the gasket with a dry cloth, you can also degrease the whole thing so that there is not a single trace of oil:

Next, you can install a new gasket and put the cover in its place. As for the rubber seals that are located in the holes for the studs on the lid, they can also be replaced if oil leaks from under them! The price of a new gasket is no more than 100 rubles, so you don’t have to spend much!

How to remove the valve cover?


The valve cover is a part that often has to be removed, especially if we're talking about about a car from the domestic auto industry. So, for example, if we talk about the VAZ-2106, the valve cover is removed when adjusting the valves, and when checking the timing belt tension, and when dismantling the engine, and when replacing gaskets, and for many other tasks.

Of course, everyone should be able to perform this procedure independently. Fortunately, it’s quite simple to do and takes about half an hour, so it’s not even advisable to go to the salon to have it done. Let's figure out how to remove the valve cover to replace this or that part, using the VAZ-2106 as an example.

Preparation

Before you start work, you need to prepare a number of tools that will make the work as easy and quick as possible:

  • heads for 8 and 10;
  • extension;
  • ratchet;
  • pliers.

Removing the cover

In order to work with the valve cover without interference, the first step is to remove the air filter.

Removing the filter

  1. We unscrew the three nuts securing the filter cover and remove it, as well as the filter itself.
  2. Unscrew the four nuts securing the filter housing to the carburetor.
  3. Disconnect the hose from the air intake breather and remove the filter housing.
  4. Disconnect the carburetor damper drive rod (if there is a retaining ring, you must first remove it).
  5. Disconnect the choke cable by slightly loosening the nut securing it.

Now we can safely work on the lid.

Removing the cover

  1. We unscrew the eight nuts securing the cover - it is most convenient to do this using a ratchet with an extension and a 10mm socket.
  2. We rock the lid a little and begin to remove it. The lid comes out at a certain angle and you need to catch it. If you feel that the cover does not stretch at any angle, check that you have unscrewed all the nuts. Remember, you must apply force when removing the cover, but do not pull it.

Once the valve cover is removed, you can begin the necessary repair procedures. If you have to change the gasket, be sure to thoroughly clean any traces of the old one before attaching the new one; you can even use special means. Also, remember to place the new gasket on a dry housing.

To reinstall the valve cover, reverse the removal procedures.