gasket replacement basics

I just paid the dealer $120 bucks to tell me what is wrong with my 93 1.9l escort, and I thought I could handle some of these things myself, including:

valve cover gasket replacement

This seems pretty simple since it is accessible and no special tools are required that I can see. Any tips like:

* best brand of replacement gasket(s)?
* proper way to clean sealing surfaces?
* proper amount of torque and order in which to torque the bolts?

I didn't see anything in the Chilton's manual about this. What else would be good to check when doing this? It is basically seeping oil at the seal and making things messy and smelly. No major oil consumption, yet.

Spatzen

P.S. I was told that I needed a new mass air flow sensor to the tune of $350. I replaced a dirty air filter myself and the racing at idle has disappeared! Basic maintenance _is_ important:)

I would recommend a Fel-Pro replacement gasket. Autozone carries them.

All you do to prep the surfaces is to clean all the old oil off the cover and the head -- DO NOT use RTV sealant.

I'm not sure of the torque of the bolts (I think there are only three and they are in the middle of the valve cover), just make sure you get them tight with a 1/4 in. ratchet, but don't try to really clamp 'em down.

This is an easy job, and you shouldn't have any trouble.

Also, if it turns out you DO need a MAF sensor, get one from the junk yard. It's located in the tube that runs from the air filter to the engine, and used it should only cost around 40 bucks. Good luck!

I asked the dealer about getting a new valve cover gasket and they said it was built in to the valve cover and is reuseible.
If it was mine, I would just remove the valve cover, clean up both surfaces and reinstall, snug it down good, but those bolts will break if you get too carried away.
MAF's usally should'nt wear out, but they can go bad from time to time. Junk yards around here charge about $20-30 for one. $350 is crazy.

It does fit into the valve cover, but it is replacable separately. Sometimes they get cut or nicked if the cover has been off before, and therefore it leaks. FIRST, check to make sure the bolts are tight, and if they are, the take the cover off, and as long as you have it off, you may as well replace the gasket. Its not really a gasket, but rather a big rubber seal.