Installing a leak free valve cover, without the gasket
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- Опубліковано 19 чер 2013
- UPDATE: 10,000 miles and no leaks! 6/2015
Here I install my Saturn s-series aluminum valve cover using only RTV instead of a preformed gasket. I have used felpro gaskets in the past with reasonable success but this time around I am trying the RTV-only method which sounds like it will seal better.
This is the valve cover that I painted in this video:
• Spray painting a valve... - Навчання та стиль
Using your video as a reference i did the same thing to my daughter's 96 Saturn SL2 and 18 months later still no leaks and it runs like a champ. Thanks for doing the video.
1996 Saturn master tech grad here. The factory used an extruded grey rubber gasket on initial assembly and that same replacement gasket was supplied to dealers back in the 90s on a big flat sheet of clear plastic. You'd peel it off the packaging and stick it to the metal valve cover channel with a very thin coat of factory grey RTV between the cover and the gasket to keep it in place.
when i did mine, i snugged them all and then tightened with a normal socket wrench until it felt reasonably tight, and no problems so far
Hows she holdn up? I need to do a oil cooler line housing soon.
What's the torque spec for the timing chain cover?
Man he literally said "caked frosted" . This is the problem with youtube and this extra friendly no dislikes... Don't do this to you car!!! It will drive like a "frosted cake".
I read a tip that in something like the valve cover that is meant to be removed occassionally you can apply a thin film of oil to one of the mating surfaces to the RTV will act like a traditional gasket during removal not not need to be scrapped off. The valve cover might be the best choice for that.
+Paul C, I replaced my valve cover gasket a few months ago. Thankfully it all went great. I believe the best option is to duplicate what the manufacturer did by just placing a little sealant around the tight corners.
That is exactly what I did and not leaks.
Good luck taking the valve cover in the future when service is needed! I have done that shit, never again!
Foreal, is not worth it.
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)?
At 0:42 there are 11 bolts in the white bin (next to the Valve Cover). 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 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 in your bin are the same? My car it a bit different, it is 2001 Saturn SL2. Thank you for the informative film.
where you get the torque pattern? can i get for all motors?
i personoly don't like suving rags in my motors because iv heard it acts like wick for condersation but iv also readthat a coldoil pan will get condensation in it to so I don't know
Just bought an alumimum valve cover. Mine has some...rubbery stiff all around where the dude it putting the rtv. I'm trying to just FelPro it. And dont wanna mess it up. Is that rubber stuff supposed to be there?
Do not use that much, especially on a valve cover with fluid channels. They get blocked and stop oil feeding the head properly
Way too much silicone!. Its gonna break off inside and mess the motor up.
+Marek Sumguy Tell him about it again.
True. Too much RTV.
The dealer tech did this and caused a crank seal leak and oil pump loss of pressure which show's up years later as pieces break off...too much sealant can cause issues...lucky to fix it with no obvious damage.
Use a Fel-Pro gasket without the RTV and you wont have a problem and it will be finished in 1/4 the time. The mistake many amatures make is using RTV on a rubber gasket. This causes the gasket to slip out when tightened. Install the rubber gasket dry so it has some gripping power.
In some situation it could be "dressed" with thin non hardening gasket maker like shellac or aviation gasket maker or Hi-Tack but I agree it is probably best just to go with a new gasket that's what I did on my 1997 SW2 with 160K and no leaks.
I changed out my cars valve cover gasket and didn't use RTV. That was like 3-4 months ago, hasn't leaked at least yet.
If it leaks i'm just changing out the gasket again.
i got my fel-pro rubber gasket and it says 'very important' dont use any sealant at all, just use the rubber gasket and tighten down the valve cover. So, how is your valve cover repair holding up? thanks in advance.
I am in the process of installing aluminum valve cover to replace the warped composite cover. How did you clean the inside of the valve cover? I've tried using brake clean and acetone with toothbrush but can't get it cleaned like yours. Also, did you clean the inside of the baffle? Thanks in advance.
Don't clean the inside cover it will just get dirty again quickly. I use the plastic cover and it seals perfect on my '97 SW2.
Awesome videos!!! Keep it up:)
How long to let the rtv cure?
Won't the RTV seep into the parts were the motor oil goes and clunk up the filter or cause problems? I want to use Indian Head Gasket injunction with a gasket for my transmission oil pan but am very scared that the Indian Head Shellac will get into my tranny. Any thoughts?
+Michael Nelson email or ring up Permatex and tell them your concerns... they should be able to advise the right product.
He used way too much silicone... like you said.
You have to be careful with Indian Head or any non-hardening gasket material. It can run - it happened to me when I applied it to a vacuum diaphragm on a carburetor - it streaked down the sides. If you dress a gasket use the bare minimum applied paper thin. It is best applied to a paper gasket or worn out cracked rubber gasket. You are probably better off with a gasket material like RTV that will harden / dry.
You're supposed to let the Shellac get thicker by by leaving it out to dry after application. Then it won't run and will be nice and tacky.
Gasket without rtv is the best way to go. The rtv will work but its a pain in the ass to get out of the grooves. No material is going to make a permanent seal. Rtv will harden and crack as will a gasket. But a gasket is easier to remove.
Yeah, it was annoying to remove the RTV from my cars cylinder head. Thankfully there wasn't much, only a little dab on each corner next to the cams.
clean job nice job.
hi. what happens if silicone fall in the engine? forry for my bad english. can it fall in the engine?
instead of acetone how about brake cleaner
My '98 SC2 (1.9) gives me problems both times I've had to replace the valve cover gasket! Can I use a bit of Black RTV along with the standard gasket to help in making a good seal??
Yes, it could be "dressed" with thin non hardening gasket maker like shellac like "Indian Head" or aviation gasket maker.
If I'm using a rubber gasket there's never a need for RTV, if its all placed properly you only need to let the gasket do it's job.
The clamping force of the valve cover bolts is all it takes to seal the valve cover.
Only if your valve cover isn't warped.
I wish I could get a translucent valve cover.
you can you dipshit. $$$€€€
You don't know the year, make or model of my car, but thanks anyway DIPSHIT!
$$$$$ €€€€€
The oil would quickly stain it 'carbon black'.
wrong i have seen transparent coolant system,engine pars, covers, spark leads etc...
RTV Is way better than gasket for these saturn covers. did mine and dry as a bone -
Adventures of the Obsessive-Compulsive Mechanic, lol.
... although, I can't really say that, because, despite your attention to detail when it comes to fasteners and fastidiously cleaning with acetone, you still choose to use an imprecise, antiquated beam type torque wrench.
Either way, hope you don't take all this personally, mad respect for turning your own wrenches, even if it is for a Saturn station wagon 🙂
why not just put a gasket
Those are step bolts. Movement is limited by the step.
bruh..... you ATLEAST goto let dry 45min before bolting down....
Dumbe idea! RTV should rarely if ever be used.
Not to mention you used 10 times what you needed
You Americans make me laugh when you pronounce aluminium....! Sincerely....an Englishman.
You're and idiot...its not al-a-min-e-um. It's aluminum.
wiki aluminium....besides I was only having a laugh...cultural differences and what not, relax kid, it's Christmas.
Marcus Sparticus for someone like me that lives in the US, and English is my second language.... I completely understand!!! Americans just pronounce things as they want...
Marcus, I hope you take some ribbing regarding Lucas Electric jokes...no?
Although I won't condescend you as Snoopy did, Aluminum was it's original name... Changing in 1886 to Aluminium because it had a more "classy" ring to it. America did not receive a widely known notice of this until 1925 and thus stuck with Aluminum, as did Canada... I would ask that you do a little research on it's etymology prior to telling other to wiki search something you clearly haven't.