valve cover gasket?

[mikemrq]

Have a 96 contour GL, 4 cyl. Thought my oil filter was leaking, the garage said the leak was coming from above the filter. Took the car home and opened the hood. The black plastic cover on the top side of the engine on the passenger side was wet with oil. Can it be the valve cover gasket? If it is the valve cover gasket, is there instructions here on how to replace it?

[CnlK]

My 96 4cyl valve cover gasket also had a leak. However the valve cover was aluminum in my car. I noticed when I attempted to change plugs, the wells in cyl head where the plugs are mounted were full of oil. changing gasket isn't hard. Be careful during cleanup to prevent debris from falling into valve train components, also torque according to specs. Pull the plastic timing belt cover off first, that might be what you are referring to. If leak is originating from under that cover camshaft seals might be leaking, a much more involved job.

[mikemrq]

I replaced the valve cover gasket. I still have l leak. I now believe it is the cam shaft seals. Is there any good instructions on how to replace them?

[RicartParts.com]

BASIC R and R INFO:

(1) Remove camshaft timing belt and camshaft sprockets

(2) remove camshaft front oil seal from the camshaft journal thrust caps

(3) Lubricate camshaft front oil seals

(4) install camshaft front oil seals into camshaft journal thrust caps.

(5) Install camshaft sprockets and camshaft timing belt

[mikemrq]

Is it hard to remove the timing cover? Would I mess up the timing doing it that way? Don't I have to mark anything for the timing?

[old_master]

The front motor mount needs to be removed, then all of the belts and the rocker arm cover. You might as well replace the water pump and the timing belt while you're in there. You'll need the special tool kit for aligning the camshafts and crankshaft, http://www.usatoolwarehouse.com/usat.../OTC-6486.html If you've never done the job, it'll take about 3 hours. Not difficult, just time consuming.