Valve Cover Gasket Replacement

[chris belyea]

So I have a pretty stupid question. My valve cover gaskets are leaking on a fairly new rebuild. I have a friend that offered to let me use his lift. Should the gaskets be replaced on a stone cold engine or can I do it on a hot or warm engine? I'm not adjusting the valves, just replacing the gaskets.

Chris

[edmayo]

Engine temp doesn't matter, other than burning your hands, just jack up car from the side to tilt oil away from side you're doing.

[chris belyea]

Thanks Ed.

[dho]

Chris, while you have the covers off, check to make sure the are flat. I recently had an issue with an oil leak-turned out the valve cover had warped to the extent it had to be replaced.

dho

[rgupta250]

Use the silicone gaskets…better seal and reusable.

[chris belyea]

So I went to remove the bottom valve covers and the previous person used a sealant. How do I get the cover off? There is nothing to grab that I can see without damaging the cover.

[rgupta250]

Try using a plastic chisel-style tool to pry the valve cover off.

[Richy]

Silicone gaskets , no sealant required !

[cbpiii]

I am using the gaskets with the additional silicone bead traced onto them. People tend to over tighten these valve covers. I torque to 10nm with these gaskets and zero leaks.
There should be no sealant used on these. Some one at some point may have driven a screwdriver in there gouging the cam tower/valve cover, which will make getting them leak free a challenge.
On a rebuilt engine this should not be an issue as any reputable builder would address any cam tower damage before putting them back into service.

[Haasman]

and always a good starting place is to slightly machine the valve covers for correct "flatness"