Saturn SL2 Valve Cover Gasket Replacement (DOHC)
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- Опубліковано 14 жов 2012
- This is a long one, Sorry, but it pretty much goes through the step by step and shows some of my mistakes so you don't make them.
Also, verify that the gasket fits. If you have the time then I would suggest bringing the valve cover in with you(assuming you bought it from a local parts store) and make sure it fits before leaving. I must have gotten one from a bad batch because the first one was too big. You will see that in the video. The second try was the right(ish) one. apparently it is a known problem that the molding process is incorrect for these gaskets but luckily they are rubber so you can just remold it to fit.
Also a word of caution: at some point you may see me use carburetor cleaner on the plastic valve cover. DO NOT use carburetor cleaner on the plastic. The main ingredient is Acetone(which I also use to clean) and it has the ability to melt the plastic. Use another solvent that is friendly to plastics like mineral spirits.
Good Luck and Hope this helps you save some money. Spent about $60 total doing this in tools and parts.
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Note: I am not a mechanic, these videos are meant to be for informational purposes only. Should you follow the steps shown you do so at your own risk. - Авто та транспорт
Nice clean careful job. Showing where the silicone goes, and the correct torque amount, and sequence. Ty
I really loved how thorough you are because in the shop they tend to rush things. Thanks for the video!
This guy is amazing because he explains things very well and he is intent on doing a great job. This guy will be good at whatever he does. He would make a great surgeon because of his attention to detail. Thank you very much, you made this job very easy for me. Much appreciated.
Very useful video. You are methodical and meticulous. I know what to expect with my wife’s Saturn. Valve cover is leaking like crazy. Thanks!
Hey man, great video! They told me it'd be like 250 to 300 to do this at the shop... cost me 35 and three hours to do it on my own! Thanks so much for the video. It's one of the best how to step by step videos out there. Very much appreciated sir!
Happy to help! Thanks for watching!
WARNING: MANY PLASTIC VALVE COVERS ARE WARPED AND WILL LEAK!
When removed, place cover on a flat surface/table. If it doesn't lay flat, then go to your saturn forum and see your options like replacing with a salvage yard earlier aluminum cover and what is involved.
Use RTV form a gasket sealant and apply inside all the 4 spark plug holes after cover install with the wires removed, around the sealing area seam/crack, to keep oil from leaking down spark plug holes.
Be sure to assemble just after the rtv starts to skin, but not harden around the timing chain ends.
Good video thanks
Go to salvage yard and see how much gasket maker all the others used, I've seen half inch thick goop on some covers to fill in the gaps.
so that the exact problem I'm having right now it is too big but you are a genius for bringing the cover in the store thank you for this video
Thank you so much for publishing this, this is so helpful for me. :)
This is a helpful and well done video. Thanks for creating it.
Thank you this was the best instruction video I have seen
Thank you so very much for the time you spent on this video, it was very informative.
Thank You.
very helpful thanks!!
you could be the next Chris fix with some video editing and a cheerful greeting at the beginning of every video! :)
+Cesar M. Gonzalez Thanks! Been working in the background these last couple months trying to rethink my video editing and flow. Have some already filmed just need to prepare them. Hope to begin posting more very soon. Thanks for watching!
So glad I found this I gotta change the gasket in my 96 sl2 dohc along with its break pads lol. Now if I could just figure out the A/C problem
+Captain Wagz with you on the AC issues. Mine suddenly started clicking really loudly and no longer pumps the refrigerant(if there was any even left). Look for a video on that soon. Have to order a new compressor...just haven't gotten around to it yet. Need it though since the front window defrost relies on it to work affectively.
thks bro this was very helpful and I like how meticulous you are
Very well done. I see you found the same use for your shirts that I have. I however used my Citrus Bowl Band Shirt. I will use others in the future.
There is a constant flood of old clothing and it makes great rags.
thanks man making video I've gotta do mine tomorrow it's leaking too pretty bad so but i glad watchedto see what all really needed for it i work on cars my self but I didn't think about having to have cv silicone for it
Great video. Will be doing this tomorrow.
Good job, helped a lot. Has been years since I've had an engine that was easy enough for ME to work on. 2001 kia sephia .... haven't had such a basic engine since my '72 3-on-the-tree pick up truck. :) Reminded me about needed a torque wrench, but for as much mechanics I do, I have a couple people I can borrow one from I hope. Just got this kia and am impressed on how basic it is to work on. *thumbs up*
Good video, a little long, but informative.
Thanks a lot for this man! Followed this video and everything went perfectly
This video in very helpful and understandable. Thank you
Your video is very helpful. God bless for sharing your knowledge.
Excellent video!
Thanks, this is very helpful!
you might have a warped valve cover. If you are talking about using RTV anywhere else other than in the areas indicated then it could cause a problem. retorquing the recently installed gasket is not an issue. as long as it is still flexible then the gasket should be fine.
Huge help - thanks!
yep my stepdad snapped one when we did it on my old saturn. we got a tap and luckily we go it out. we almost didnt.
Can I re-torque a valve cover 4 weeks after I installed a new gasket with ultra grey permatex RTV? There is a very small leak in one area even after thoroughly cleaning the mating surface with acetone. Thanks.
Very helpful!
got to do this on a 94 Saturn DOHC, probably very similar, thanks for the vid.
was it the exact same thing? I gotta do it on my 95
+Iziah Chavez I paid buckys garage to do it since they only charged me like $65.
great information thank you for sharing
Really helpfull video. Thanks.
I just did onr today. Felpro gasket was too long! I didnt take it back cause i had to order it in. They didnt have any in stock, so that would be a pain, and might be too long also. I just cut it with a razor blade nice and clean. I used silicone gasket maker where the 2 ends butted together. It seems just fine. I'm not saying i wouldn't rather have gasket that fit, but i had it all apart and needed to get it done. I'll post back if it fails. I made the cut on the front side, along a straight section. Easy to observe if it's leaking or not. Thank you.
Michael Hammer I am doing one now and it’s to long but not able to take it back
Nicely detailed. I have the same grabber tool lol! Greetz from belgium
Love This Video. Thanks
thanks ...and thanks for the heads-up.........GOOD J.O.B.
I know this might seem like a dumb question but I just replaced the gasket. And it still leaks over by the timing chain side. Where i didnt put RTV would that be why its leaking . and it only leaks after i turn the engine off .
Is it better to use acetone or brake cleaner for the final wipe out of the contact surfaces, where the gaskets go? And can and should you clean a bit inside of the cylinder head, like that chain and everything where you can reach with the shop towel sprayed with the brake cleaner? And is it better to use rags or blue shop paper towel, which one may cause more possible small pieces (though obviously you'll try your best to go without any pieces)? What is exact name of that mini pick up tool you used to remove some piece from the engine?
Does it matter where which of those black bolts that hold the valve cover goes? From 11 on the valve cover lid I had 7 with the cap on one end (exactly same as I see in you film) and 4 with both ends open. I removed all of them to clean everything properly and possibly change the boots they are sitting on, but didn't take a picture being sure that it doesn't matter which one goes where, I even thought that whoever worked on this lid before just lost 4 proper bolts with the heads and substituted them for the
ones with open ends. But now when I've learned and saw in the Haynes book the Valve Cover bolt tightening sequence (p. 2A-6) I'm in doubt. So does it matter where you place those open ends 4 bolts or not? Or all of those 11 bolts are the same on your Valve Cover? My car has exactly same Valve Cover, it is 2001 Saturn SL2. Thank you for the informative film.
Thanks great job
Yes really nice wish I had found this before I did the valve cover gasket .......... I reinstalled mine with no rtv and yup leaking like right from that spot can I reuse the gasket when I take this all apart again or am I going to have to get a new gasket .......
This happened on my daily driver. My 94sl2. However, three plug holes where filled with oil and would come out the top of the boot.
Thanks for your response. Why is using RTV anywhere else other than indicated cause a problem? I was thinking a thin bead of Ultra grey sealant all around along with a new gasket would definitely stop any potential leaks around the valve cover.
Do you have to take the omugs out? Thanks
Good Job
For those about to do this job. The gasket will always appear too big as it is intended to be compressed. When installing start with the corners and press in towards the middles, the gasket will compress into place. It may take a few tries to get it right.
i had the same problem with the same car gaskets were too long my car has been leaking oil like crazy.. i bought the felpro gaskets what where the gaskets that fitted right?
Hi. Before taking the cover off, do you need to prepare the car in any way before starting work on it? Is there any need to drain any existing oil before taking the cover off?
Thanks for the video ! Can you tell me what part number was the correct one please ?
@blackdeathmessenger warping tends to happen with these plastic covers. what I've found is people are actually replacing the plastic covers with the aluminum covers they find at the salvage yard. gonna be hard to find one since they are usually the first to go. so far for me oil consumption is back to normal after this fix, about a quart every 1500 miles. it was a quart every week before I did this.
Omg, I totally need a mini grabber tool, and maybe a grabber tool!
that's the thing about the first gasket, it was never stretched. pulled it straight out of the box and it wouldn't fit. it was almost as if the surfaces were reversed. It would line up with the head mating side facing the cover groove but not the other way. If I buy something and spend good money on it, the gasket better fit. Didn't want to void the warranty either just in case.
Great video. Quick question, do I have to add oil after this job? If so, how much? Thanks!
+eRS Photography if you don't drain the oil out of the pan, then no. Let your car sit until cold then you can start, gives the oil a chance to drain to the oil pan. I planned this repair in conjunction with an oil change so I had to add oil. 4 is quarts is the typical capacity for Saturn S series. Good luck!
My SC2 has oil in the 2 spark plugs on the right side. I'm not leaking oil, however, I'm burning it. I figure since I have oil where my spark plugs are I need to change the gasket anyway, but is there some other problem that I can't quite see? Or have I caught the problem as early as I possibly could've?
What size torque wrench did you use...3/8, 1/4"? Thanks!
Thanks dude
It is a 1/4" torque wrench. measured in inch pounds. got mine from harbor freight, made by Pittsburgh.
Thank you sir
Hello my car is leaking oil from the front of the engine any suggestions on what it could be
I bought my 1997 SW2 Wagon with the DOHC engine and the front crank gasket always leaked a very small amount of oil. It would get on the crank pulley and get spun and flung around the areas near the fan belt. The second source of leaks was the oil pan to timing cover joint. Possibly the oil pan screws get oil on them from the crank pulley leak and since the tops are open oil can enter and drip down the threads of the screws eventually causing them to loosen and produce a leak.
Hey I had same problem with oil on spark plug 1st cylinder. When I removed the plastic gasket. Cylinder tube one was full of oil. Do I have to suck the oil out or can I leave it and continue? Thanks for doing this video by the way
+Ryan Purcell Needs to be sucked out, which you can do with a small hose duck taped to a shop-vac or stuff a rag in there. Also it is recommended that you replace the spark plugs and spark plug wires, you don't have to if it isn't misfiring, but if it has been 100K miles or close too you might as well replace them all. You really don't want spark plug ceramic shattering due to old age (plus heat) and falling into the cylinder.
yup. I hope you did before you reassembled it, just soak it up. It'll be in the spark plug boot as well
Aye, I just did this today. Identical engine. First sparkplug cylinder just flooded with oil to the brim. It started as a slow leak and got worse when I tightened the bolts. Just replaced it.
For the bolts, they should pop right out by hand with a small wiggle. No screwdriver needed to pry them out. Also just put grommets on the bolts first, as seen in the video, because they will pop in as you tighten them down. When putting the main gasket on, lay it down perfectly aligned and start at all 4 corners. It wasn't too big, but it will stretch if you start from one end to the other. Absolutely do not rub your finger or it will stretch... just little wiggles once it's all pushed in to make sure it's nice and snug.
agvulpine
good info.
Great video! Did you have any issues with the harbor freight torque wrench when you tighten the bolts
Not really. My only issue is with the lower range torque settings. Have to tighten slowly and feel for the "click." It's very light to the point I've tested it on another bolt prior to using it so I know it will click.
Just replaced my cover gasket today and used a Mahle gasket. Install was a breeze and no fitment issues at all. Thanks for the great video!
thanks bro
Hey good video I wanna know wat king of spray you using for clean that out some can tell me ? Pls
Carb cleaner, but be careful as the acetone on the can may harm the plastic. Mineral spirits and a brush may so a better job and isn't as harmful to plastics
Do you think it will be a good Idea to install a 95 sl metal valve cover in 98 sl engine?A mechanic told the 98 valve cover is made out of plastic, therefore it will warp and thus will not seal properly. The 95 valve cover is made out of metal and is exactly the same. I have replaced the gasket twice already in the 98 valve cover.
+Eric Torres I've heard it was possible to do so. It would be a good idea because the aluminum one won't be as likely to warp. I wanted to do it too but no longer have the Saturn in this video. The gen3 I have now, I don't think the covers would match.
You need to rename this video "Saturn SL valve cover replacement" so other Saturn owners can find it easier.
Done!
No. This is for the SL2 engine code 17. You would confuse people who have a SL1
pro trick : watch series on InstaFlixxer. I've been using it for watching all kinds of movies these days.
@Ernest Angel Yea, I've been using instaflixxer for since december myself =)
Really helpful ,but what will happen if there's a little bit of oil in were the sparkplug z at ??
try to soak up as much as you can with a shop towel. the rest will probably burn off later but its best to try to get as much out as possible. you can also pull the spark plugs and let some drain after you soak a bit up. hit the plug cylinder with carb cleaner. allow the cleaner to flash off before reinserting the plugs. don't want to have too much fluid in the piston cylinder and cause a hydrolock situation. Thanks for watching and good luck!
Thanks for the great video. I have a question, don't we need a gasket sealant?
sealant is only necessary at the two spots where the block mates with the front cover. the gasket alone will not seal at this seam.
Possibility of a blowout. The gasket only rests on the mating surface & has little pressure exerted onto it. What is really creating the seal is the oil inside the valve cover. oil comes into contact with the gasket and the metal surface where it fills in the tiny gaps but because of surface tension do not flow. There is now surface tension at that point which is why the first time you remove the gasket you have to break that suction. the RTV would not allow this suction bond to take place.
Not really but it is a good Idea to do this during an oil change. If you use solvents they will drain to the pan and out when you pull the plug. Before I put the cover back on I poured a half a quart all over the cams and moving parts to wash away any debris and residual solvents.
How did you get the oil out of the spark plug well?
Use a tampon and a soft tool to push around the plug.
I think it was still the same Felpro gasket model. I had the store bring a few more from the warehouse and found one that worked. Brought the valve cover with me to prove there was an issue.
When you say bring a few more do you mean different brands or same brand and different gasket? I am currently having the same problem with the gasket not fitting.
Why do you need the silicone on the two spots?
Helps seal the points where the timing chain cover and the block come together so you don't have leaks.
Great video man, I couldn't help but notice your cold air intake. I'm considering doing it to mine. Have you noticed any difference once you installed it?
Is this what needs to be done if you are told your vehicle
Sweats oil from valve cover?
Most likely, yes.
Hope you don't mind, I am downloading the video to put it on my phone so I can follow along as I do this to my SC2 this weekend. Did you ever do a video about flushing the radiator?
Don't mind as long as It is not re uploaded and used as your own. Flushing the radiator will be next and probably a shifter cable replacement on my 2002 SL2. Just broke on me today. No longer have the 98 in this video. Was wrecked almost a year ago.
I won't. I'll maintain my mediocre content :-P. The winter was extra hard on my SC2, being in the middle of that Arctic Vortex.
what if we dont have torque wrench
I was a bad person and let it drain into the cylinder. you can use a suction device or poke a rag down into the spark plug well to remove the majority of the oil then cleaned up after removing the spark plug by spraying a little bit of carb cleaner into the well to clean off the threads. oil in the cylinder is not really going to hurt the car but try to avoid it if you can.
is felpro a good quality brand? it more than a year now is it still sealing good?
Felpro is a good brand. I wish I could tell you it lasted a year but I wrecked the car about 8 months after this video was created. The people on the forums I frequent recommended either the eom or felpro gaskets.
jungleking007 Sorry to hear you wrecked it. But did it at least stop leaking oil after you replaced the gasket?
CrazyWedz Absolutely! I was very pleased with the Felpro gasket. The leak stopped completely. If it were to have started leaking after install, I would have suspected a warped valve cover.
jungleking007
Thanks for the quick reply. I'm actually switching out my valve cover with an older aluminum one, so the gasket is different. But at least the cover won't warp like my '98 has.
I like DOHC saturns twin CAM power!
Do you have to drain the oil before removing the cover?
It would be a good idea to do this while doing an oil change. since there will be chemicals and debris all over the place from the cleaning process you will want to flush the top end so that you don't gouge any bearings or cam shaft surfaces. I poured about a half quart of oil all over everything on the top end and let it drain out the pan.
Persoanlly, I would change the oil a few days after changing the valve cover gasket. Why? Because all that loose RTV, dirt, grit, you loosen and drop into the head will get flushed into the filter by running the engine. Why have it in a brand new filter for another few thousand miles when you can just remove it once it collects in the old filter?
I'm sorry to say I do not have any expertise on the subject. possibly suggestions though: If you have a bit of the bolt visible then you might be able to use some penetrating oil and grab it with some channel locks and twist it out but that is risky. May have to drill and tap new holes. I would also check the cover and make sure it is not warped. could cause some issues down the road, or could be the present issue. There may be somebody out there that had this issue that could help.
Be very careful when tightening then. you go too tight and risk breaking a bolt. best advise is to buy one or see if the local parts store has a tool lending program. Good Luck!
should I remove oil from well before starting if there is oil? if so how?
If it's completely filled the sparkplug well, recommended you try to pull as much out as possible. some sort of evacuator or maybe a small turkey baster to get the majority, maybe stuff a shop towel down in the well and let is sit for a few minutes to soak up the oil. If it's a small amount, leveling out around the hex on the sparkplug. you should be okay without needing to clear it. the oil will fall into the cylinder once the plug is removed, but it should not be enough to hydrolock. Good Luck! Thanks for watching!
people always forget the easy trick of buying a 1$ spray bottle (or use an old one) remove the nozzle and attached hose and squirt the excess fluid into an empty bottle.
Can you list each item you will need to complete this process? That'd be super helpful.
torx bit T40, in-lb torque wrench (89 in-lbs needed for bolts), gasket scraper, rtv and a new gasket set
oh and brake fluid cleaner to clean off the valve cover and engine block where the old gaskets were.
Don't use brake cleaner - just wipe with a cloth and if you want use a mild degreaser like Simple Green. You don't need to remove ever trace of oil.
is there a water jacket in these covers? Mine is leaking water out of the valve cover.
No water jacket.Where is the water coming out of? the PCV valve maybe?
If you have water coming out of you PCV valve, you have a serious problem. Instead look for a bypass hose nearby. Valve covers contain (and leak) oil, not water.
Have you ever tried carb cleaner instead of acetone?
i know im late to comment but, carb cleaner has acetone in it.
SvddenDeth Don't I feel stupid now. Never even read the back of one of those cans to realize they are both relatively the same thing(carb cleaner has a few more ingredients)! Thanks for the enlightenment.
Is this the same process on a 2000 SL2?
Same process, i believe valve cover design was changed slightly so the gasket is a different part number.
does that make your car smoke
If oil leaks onto the exhaust manifold, then yes it will smoke if the leak is big enough.
I put a engine out of a 1996-1998 but my car is a 1999 the valve covers are a little bigger "like you had" and the 96-98 are a little smaller. That's what I've found out.
A majority of the information was correct except for 2 areas. There is a tightening sequence you should follow as well as you DO NOT use a torque wrench for the valve cover bolts! I broke a bolt because I torqued the bolt to 22 flbs!. You use a regular ratchet with a 10 mm socket and tighten, but don't force the bolt down by over tightening.
If you listen at around 20:45 and it's even shown in the book at 21:20, I mention torquing the bolts the 89 Inch Pounds( NOT Foot Pounds). This is the recommended torque specification for this vehicle for the valve cover bolts. The sequence is followed as also recommended by the book. Did you watch the full video?
+April Andrews
Glad I read that before I tightened the screws, thanks bro!
Yes, you should use a torque wrench and torque the bolts to 89 INCH POUNDS, not foot pounds. This is the factory spec. The torque wrench used is a 1/4" drive version, much much smaller than the 1/2" version you would use on wheel lug nuts.
Surprised you went to the full torque on the first pass. With an inch-pound torque wrench, you could easily break down the torquing to two, or even three steps.
New gaskets always seem big....they are to be pressed in straight down, do not run your finger along the length of the gasket or you'll stretch it out and it won't fit right.
i did this and now im haven to rebuy another gasket cause when i did this the same way it leaked again
any idea where it leaked from? I don't like that he used RTV on the corner spots (rtv + rubber gasket is usually not a good idea).
It was leaking from back of the cover and one of the sides was leaking but I bought a new gasket and put a different sealant and no more leaks at all its fixed I'm glad because I was having to add oil about every week or 2 after that she like bran new
Christian Leatherman what sealant and at what spots? Also what brand gasket please?
It's regular blue gasket from AutoZone and the sealer was GM white gasket stuff and u put it on 2 spots on the block right in front of the timing chain and the rear of block behind timing chain on the block you'll see a crack or sorta like that and that's where u put it at then snug them down I didn't go by the torque specs he said the video because I don't think it seemed to be tight enough for it .
all the gasket brands i'm looking at now have a lip on each end of the gasket on the timing chain side (unlike the gasket in this video) and it looks to negate the need for sealant. yours wasn't like this? shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/felpro-valve-cover-gasket-set-vs-50549-r/15780880-P?searchTerm=valve+cover+gasket
I can't remember which plug wire goes on what plug?? Help please
Remember 4-1-2-3. This is the terminal sequence on the coil pack going from left to right. Cylinders are numbered passenger side to driver side 1-2-3-4.
dont mean to discredit anyone its always great to see folks doing things themselves, but lets take caution. acetone eats away at and weakens some plastics so I would advise not to use it!!!
You are absolutely correct! At the time I created this video I was unaware of this bit of information. I got lucky, but I do need to figure out how to note this in an already posted video. I would now recommend using mineral spirits on the plastic components. May also want to be aware that carburetor cleaner also contains Acetone so don't use it on plastic components as well. Another viewer pointed this out to me.
jungleking007
Acetone would rarely affect modern automotive plastics. I have used it for years (professional mechanic (professional mechanic +25 yrs), without incident. Same with carb cleaner.
SOLUTION: I installed the same Felpro VS50454R Valve Cover Gasket Set and it was too long... then I came across a post on the Saturnfans forum and I modified that advice a bit. Set the gasket on the grove of the valve cover and start pushing it in at the four corners and you will see the size is a perfect fit. www.saturnfans.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2226939#post2226939
+Paul C I thought it was odd the gasket left so much slack. I never stretched the original at all. Luckily was able to return to the parts store with valve cover in hand to check the others in stock. Sure enough there was a noticeable difference in the one that ultimately fit and the few others they had on the shelf with the same lineup issue.
When I first installed the gasket I started at the curved end and by the time I got to the square end the gasket was so over sized I knew there was no way it could be correct but when I removed it and set in on the cover it fit perfectly and I was really surprised.
Do not put your trust in torque wrenches and if you do use one make damn well sure it's working accurately. Found out the hard way when I snapped a bolt on the valve cover.
True, I usually test on another bolt with a higher torque value to know what "click" I need to feel for. Especially in light torque specs.
UA-cam has now eaten my comment 3 times, so I'll keep it short: read and follow the red install notice in the package and it'll fit fine.
There was not notice or any instructions except generic info on the outside of the box but once I searched online and watched this video I corrected my install and the gasket went from way to long to just right.
Wasnt to big u stretched it to much, same thing happened to me
No, You do not.