99custom

I just did my front brakes and changed the oil last week, and now both my valve covers are leaking. Do you guys prefer the factory gaskets or Fel-pro? I've done some research and seen some people saying the Fel-pro's are different and don't leak as much. here's a list of things I think I'll need for the job, plase advise me on what else I need and should change at the same time.

1. Valve cover gasket set
2. New PCV valve
3. PCV Valve grommet
4. New spark plugs
5. RTV sealant

Please let me know what else I may be missing or will need. Thanks guys....

LeX2K

You also need a plenum gasket. I won't comment on gasket brands because people love to argue endlessly about what is best. On the RH aka firewall side bank I run a small bead of RTV around the entire gasket, some may not agree with this practice but I find it makes sure there is a permanent seal. Downside is it sucks if the valve cover ever needs to be removed more cleanup work.

wmj259

I have done this aswell, it helps seal in the corners around the camshaft.

99custom

Thanks for the advice about the sealant guys. Am I going to need coolant or no?

Oro

As L2K mentioned, being too generous with the RTV is a pain later. What I do is use Permatex Aviation #3 as a dressing and only dab the RTV in the sharp bends. This works well. A good idea is to let the gaskets set overnight and re-torque again before stitching it all up. This will account for the initial gasket set and give a longer life. If you can then get the engine hot, let it cool, and re-torque a 3rd time before closing it up, it will be even better. This 3-step torquing process is what professional builders do and it makes a difference.

Be sure to get iridium plugs so they last as long as the gaskets. I went with Autolite last time as they were insanely cheap with a rebate vs NGK or Denso, and I was willing to gamble and replace them if necessary. They have worked well.

A tool I found very helpful on this project was a 1/4" stubby ratchet; it really helped getting off some of the blind nuts and fasteners with little clearance along the firewall. But this was an 02 and 99 may be slightly different.

99custom

Thanks for the tip on the tool. I ordered the Denso long life plugs for it. Do you have a preference on what gaskets to use? I'm thinking of getting the fel-pro's since I've used them on several cars with no issues. Also do you know if I'm going to need to drain any coolant in order to do this job. In some old threads people say yes, and then some others are saying no.

LeX2K

You don't have to drain coolant, if you don't you will lose a small amount. A bit will come out anyway. When I do the job I drain a couple liters from the rad.

99custom

So I pulled off the plastic cover today to get a better look and right away I noticed 4 of the bolts on the front valve cover were loose as could be. I was getting a bunch of leakage on the sides of the front as well. I don't think I can check all the rears without pulling off the intake though. It's crazy how loose those bolts were.

LeX2K

You can get to the rear fasteners with some creative reaching and using a 1/4" drive socket. The design is known to loosen over time or more specifically the rubber shrinks.

99custom

Thanks man, I'm going to give it a shot. I noticed my rears look like they had double washers installed in them as well.

LeX2K

Be careful the bolts are fragile.

99custom

I can't get to the center bolts when the plenum on. My hands are too big to get in there. I tightened all the ones I could, I just have a feeling one of those other bolts is still loose as well though.

speedkar9

Are you sure it wasn't leaking before the oil change? The only way that could happen is if you switched to synthetic oil, after using conventional for a while.

You can follow my DIY for the valve cover gaskets here:


For the ES300/ES330 with the plastic plenum, you can follow my spark plug video for the plenum removal here:

99custom

Thanks man....I will use those videos for sure. It may have been leaking a little before (my wife usually drives this car). I just noticed it hitting the exhaust and dropping on the ground after the oil change.

99custom

Is it OK to re-use the valve cover bolts?