88 Cherokee Valve Cover Gasket Replacement

[greenjeep4]

Hi. My 88 Cherokee is leaking oil from the valve cover and I'm planning on replacing it on my own. I've never done this before, so I'm in search of some instructions on exactly how to do this sort of thing. Like, what all materials do I need and what is step one, step two, step three, etc....

So far, all I have is the brand new gasket. Should I get a valve cover from a junkyard or brand new? What kind of gasket sealant do I need? Etc., etc...

Thanks,
GreenJeep(Girl)4

[juggalo33438]

Originally Posted by greenjeep4

Hi. My 88 Cherokee is leaking oil from the valve cover and I'm planning on replacing it on my own. I've never done this before, so I'm in search of some instructions on exactly how to do this sort of thing. Like, what all materials do I need and what is step one, step two, step three, etc....

So far, all I have is the brand new gasket. Should I get a valve cover from a junkyard or brand new? What kind of gasket sealant do I need? Etc., etc...

Thanks,
GreenJeep(Girl)4

I actually just did this yesterday(cracked valve cover) To be honest if your valve cover is decent keep it. I'm guessing you have the l6 4.0? If so the bolt in the very back can be pretty hard to brake lose and get out. I'm no mechanic but this is what I did. I removed my hoses from the thermostat housing. Moved them out of the way. And started to brake all the bolts loose. Grab yourself a nice can of deep creep from the auto store it helps out alot.

After you remove all/most of the bolts you will notice a few that will need a deep well they have the spark plug platic routing things on them. Remove them and put to the side. Make sure not to lose anything.

Now you will be able to wiggle your valve cover loose. Pull it out and inspect the inside. From here I took of the plastic breather's and soaked in gas to get rid of the build up.(94 with lots and lots of sludge) Inside you will see your rockers, probly alot of sludge. Now from what I was told(Keep in mind I'm not a mechanic so do this at your own risk) is if you want to clean it out to get some gas and brake all that sludge loose and work it down into the oil pan. DO NOT START YOUR JEEP AFTER YOU DO THIS. YOU WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE OIL/FILTER AND FLUSH IT OUT A LITTLE WITH 1qt OF OIL! Make sure to clean all the gas out of it. Now remove off the debris from were the gasket will be sitting. Clean up your valve cover in the gas well. If you would like this is also your chance to paint the top.

If you do this. Use high heat paint. Make sure to primer. I did 4 coats of primer and 3 of blue paint. Just to liven up the engine bay.

After its all cleaned/painted if you choose, the head is cleaned up for the gasket use some permatex just take your finger and put a light coat on the valve cover. Place the gasket on. Then put a light layer on the gasket and put it on. I don't think you have to torque it up. I didn't, I just tightened it up fairly nice. Put your breathers back on, new filter in and add the drain plug and make sure to put all your hoses on right. Fill with oil as normally and enjoy

I've put about 300 miles on it between the other day and today with no problems. A nice tune up would help also if you haven't in awhile. My jeep is running great after this. I did have big chuncks of sludge dried up all threw there. So it did help a lot.

As I've stated this is what I've done, I'm not a mechanic nor am I responsible for any damage this can cause I'm just saying what I've done. Be ready to put a day or two into all of this. Talk to a local mechanic for any help you will/would need.

What I used.

Standard cork gasket
7 quarts of penziol(sp)
Fram oil filter
Newish valve cover from a 1996 grand cherokee l6 4.0
Dupli-Color Engine Enamel(Primer gray p/n-de1612 and ford blue p/n-de1601)
6 gallons of gas
Engine brite
Some new hoses to install this weekend.