Replacing Valve Cover Gaskets,questions?

[Fiat88]

Can you guys give me some advice on how to replace the valve cover gaskets. I ordered a complete engine Head Gasket Set from IAP. The valve cover gaskets look saturated and looks to be leaking. I get some oil filling up the spark plug nearest to the timing belt cover. It pools a lot around those two bolts in front of that spark plug.

I also want to paint the valve covers while I have them off. So, how do you remove them? What torque should I use when tightening and what size socket fits in the 4 cover bolts? Thanks.

[mdrburchette]

Are you just talking about the cam covers and not the boxes? If you are noticing oil in the front plug holes, it's possible you have an oil cap leak. I would go ahead and replace the gasket in the oil cap or replace the cap. It should fit very snug. As for the cam covers, I usually turn the screws or cam cover knobs to finger tight, then go 1/2 a turn more with an allen wrench. You don't want to tighten them too much since they are prone to warp or crack.

[mbouse]

my bet is that it is the cam covers that are loose. very common. if i am correct, no new gasket is needed, except maybe the cam cover nut gasket (fits under that funny looking round nut with the hex shaped hole). and, if that is the case, merely tightening the nut as Denise suggests may be the ticket.

if you dunn have a hex wrench the proper size, here is how you can make one that will work just fine:
http://flumichigan.italiancarclub.com/T ... wrench.pdf

[Fiat88]

Hi Denise, I'm just talking about the top covers. I guess it's possible I could have an oil cap leak, when I open the cap I notice their is a coat of oil on the lip of the filler cap hole. Where do you get a new oil cap seal or should I just buy a new cap?

Thanks Mike for the Allen wrench tip. If I can't find one, I try to make one. Thanks a lot!

[amsiegel]

Fiat88

I had the same problem you did and it was a leaky oil cap. I replaced the whole cap I got from Vicks or IAP. I was afraid I would rip the new seal if i tried just replacing it. After I replaced it no more oil pooling in the spark plug holes.

[mbouse]

i'm betting that a local parts store could come up with a seal for that cap... and if you wanna keep the original cap, just bend the tangs a little for a tighter fit.

[mdrburchette]

Any of our regular Fiat vendors will have the cap and may even just sell the seal if you can't find it locally. Too bad they didn't include a seal for it in the gasket kit. They do include the orings or gaskets for the cam cover knobs.

[Fiat88]

I ordered a new cap from IAP.

[Fiat88]

Denise, the gasket set I got didn't include the cam cover knob gaskets.

[mdrburchette]

They weren't in a whole engine gasket set? I thought for sure mine came with them. I know I had to order the fuel pump gaskets separate.

[Fiat88]

Actually it was a Head Gasket Set, not a complete engine set.http://www.international-auto.com/index ... sid=863219