Our Community is 940,000 Strong. Join Us.


99 Odyssey valve cover gasket & torque


tcooke77@cox.net
01-16-2011, 10:15 PM
Need to replace valve cover gaskets on both sides....Bought new gasket set but it came with no directions and torque requirements. Does anyone know the right amount when torqueing it down? This ought to be fun...I've had the intake off before (twice) to clean the intake port and EGR lines....this just will be deeper down. 1999 Odyssey EX 3.5 L V-6. Thx

BullShifter
01-17-2011, 05:10 PM
I don't know the torque off hand but the valve covers aren't too bad once the intake is off and that's not even that hard. It would be a great time to do a valve adjustment while the covers are off.

tcooke77@cox.net
01-19-2011, 10:20 PM
Repair went well...just took time. Here are a few hints:
While intake is off, clean intake EGR port with Qtips and solvent, also remove EGR valve and do the same. Start process with front valve cover (to learn), pull out 3 plug wire snaps, 2 bolts, push 3-plug harness to the side, remove 3 coils and 5 grommet bolts (some will not come all the way out. To remove stuck on cover, tap with block of wood from various directions (it will come off once you hear a different clunk sound. Once you remove cover, go ahead and replace all 3 spark plugs. One suggestion from another forum reply was to do a valve adjustment while in there (I didn't do, though) Removing old brittle gaskets are the whole trick. First take 5 grommet bolts out of cover (you may have to pull real hard for them to break free). Pull away silver metal sleeve and cut old grommet with exacto blade (careful not to slip and cut yourself)and remove from bolt & clean. Repeat with all 5 first then put bolt and ground and push on new grommets. Next remove spark plug gaskets from valve cover (this was the most difficult part). You need to take a small PLASTIC screw driver and pry underneath each of the 3 spark plug gaskets. You may need to go round and round to work it out slowly. Each of these are pressed in so they are very difficult to get out. Next take out main gasket, pulling slowly and using plastic blade to help it out. On engine block, remove any stuck gasket, carefully scraping with plastic knife (or razor blade caring not to scratch or gouge surface) Use solvent on Qtip to loosen any residual gasket. Next lightly sand all surfaces with extremely fine auto paper to smooth and clean grooves and surfaces. Next, in your lap, push in new spark plug gaskets as far as you can making sure they are in evenly & straight. Once you have all 3 in, take a small piece of wood (and hammer) and tap each one down so they end up flush with the SP cover hole. In your hands, coat RTV to the main gasket (both sides) and then place inside groove. Go round and round the rim, pressing hard to seat throroughly. Place cover back on engine block and replace bolts with new grommets. Make certain that you do not pinch anything in between like I started to do on the back valve cover. I caught myself pinching small vacuum line under new gasket...dumb a$$. Rear cover wasn't as bad as I thought, but still slightly harder to do since you had to lean over more. Rear gaskets were more brittle and stuck on harder and much more difficult to remove & clean..so be prepared for a harder time. Back cover sees more heat, thus more degradation (and crap inside cover). I only use synthetic oil , front cover pristine, back cover pretty dark and some deposits, so don't be too surprised. After all said and done, no oil leaks, car runs smoother (170K) and EGR check engine light went off on its own..LOL. Good luck on your valve cover replacement if you dare...it's not hard just time and difficulty getting off old spark plug gaskets.

Add your comment to this topic!