Date:         Tue, 25 May 2004 23:17:20 -0500
Reply-To:     "Warren.K.Lail-1" <wlail@OU.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Warren.K.Lail-1" <wlail@OU.EDU>
Subject:      valve cover gasket replacement
Comments: cc: vanagonman@EARTHLINK.NET
Content-type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252

>>From:    Shannon Mitchell <vanagonman@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: valve cover gasket replacement

I have a leaking valve cover gasket.. got the new one from Bus Depot today..
anything I should know about this job?  Any don’t do’s?

It looks like an easy task..

Thanks
Shannon
91 Vanagon<<

Hi Shannon,

Take it from a rookie, valve cover gasket replacement is a breeze.  Reach up from the underside with a screwdriver and pop the retaining clip, remove the old gasket, clean off both surfaces very well (sometimes people use silicone or other gasket sealant, and it will have to be cleaned off), then lightly oil your new gaskets and put them on (WHAT! Oil them, you say!  Yep, a light coating of oil will help them seal, or at least that's my experience - same's true for pushrod tube seals - use oil).  Over the course of about 2 months, I pulled my valve covers and reused my gaskets about a dozen times.  Since then I've driven about 3500 miles with no leaks whatever.  Part of this probably has to do with how much pressure your retaining clips create on the gasket.  Mine must be very tight.  Best of luck!

Warren Lail
88 Westy "Billy Bones" (fifteen men on a dead man's chest, drink and the devil had done for the rest! Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!  Bring me rum, ye hear?  It's rum and food for the likes of me.  Rum I say!)
87 GL "Long John"