2000 V8 coils and Valve cover gasket

[buzaggie]

Hello:
Can anybody email me the pdf from the manual on how to replace the coils and vavle cover gasket for my 2000 LS V8? [email protected] Thanks!

[jerryls]

Originally Posted by buzaggie

Hello:
Can anybody email me the pdf from the manual on how to replace the coils and vavle cover gasket for my 2000 LS V8? [email protected] Thanks!

I have the same car. The gaskets leak and foul the coil plugs. It's a bear of a job. I dont have a manual, but basically you just have to keep removing things to get at them. i replaced the coil plugs, but gave up on the gaskets and paid the service shop.

[Nic_Canada]

Hi,
I just changed my valve cover gaskets. Shorod has sent me the procedures so I can forward them to you.
This job is not easy, here are my advices:
- Buy the full gasket kit (with the plug gaskets as well)
- Be very careful not to drop anything in the engine, especially when removing the cover, ie a plug gasket could fall.
- Obtain a special tool for removing the fuel line on top of the LH cover (spring loaded fitting)
- While there, change the spark plugs as well.

Also, for the LH, I had to unplug the brake lines from the master cylinder to make working space, but I suggest avoiding that because you must bleed the brake lines afterwards.

[buzaggie]

Thanks Nic
I'm asking for this documentation as a preemptive measure. I had a coil problem that was replaced last week under a used car warranty. I am worried however, that this problem could happen again based on the posts by others.

[shorod]

Did the shop that replaced the coil under warranty mention if there was evidence of oil leaking into the spark plug well? If so, then you should get the valve cover and plug well gaskets replaced if they are covered under the warranty.

If there was no evidence of oil in the plug wells, then the coil may have just failed due to age/heat.

You may want to make friends with someone with a high end scan tool that can display the factory "monitor" tests which will show you which cylinder(s) is/are misfiring. This will narrow down your search for the suspect coil(s).

-Rod

[buzaggie]

Hi Rod:
THe shop didn't mention anything about any oil escaping the gasket. Is it hard to check this on my own? I have 12,000 1 year warranty. Thanks!
By the way, the car is running smooth as can be and I LOVE it.

Buzzy

[shorod]

About the only way you could check it would be to remove all 8 of the coils and inspect them and the plug well for signs of oil. Not a trivial task, but not all that difficult on a cold engine with the right tools.

-Rod

[OldJoe]

Originally Posted by shorod

Did the shop that replaced the coil under warranty mention if there was evidence of oil leaking into the spark plug well? If so, then you should get the valve cover and plug well gaskets replaced if they are covered under the warranty.

If there was no evidence of oil in the plug wells, then the coil may have just failed due to age/heat.

You may want to make friends with someone with a high end scan tool that can display the factory "monitor" tests which will show you which cylinder(s) is/are misfiring. This will narrow down your search for the suspect coil(s).

-Rod

I'm new to this forum (or any forum for that matter), so I hope I'm doing things properly. I bought a 2000 LS new and have had a lot of problems with this valve cover gasket / coil thing. I had purchased an extended warranty, under which I had the valve cover gasket on one bank replaced (the dealer would not replace the other bank because he claimed it was not leaking). They also replaced 2 misfiring coils on that bank. This was about 1,000 miles ago (92,000 now on the vehicle), my extended warranty is up and I am experiencing similar problems on the bank with the original valve cover gasket. I went to an auto parts store for a diagnostic and determined that #7 was misfiring. I priced the coils at the store at $50 each. They did not carry the gasket. Do you know if the the new gasket material is different from the old gasket material, and where I can buy them? I would really appreciate it if you could email me a copy of the proceedure for replacing the gasket and coils.

Thanks in advance,
Joe

[Joe_theboob]

Joe, - Here's some advice I learned the hard way (especially if you're an old timer). .... Get the firing order and cylinder configuration before you go after number 7. I assumed the standard alternating cylinder map of older engines.
These V8's are 1,2,3,4 straight back on the passenger side and 5,6,7,8 on the drivers side, putting #7 as the third plug back on the drivers side. You may have already knew - but just thought I'd mention it...

[OldJoe]

Originally Posted by Joe_theboob

Joe, - Here's some advice I learned the hard way (especially if you're an old timer). .... Get the firing order and cylinder configuration before you go after number 7. I assumed the standard alternating cylinder map of older engines.
These V8's are 1,2,3,4 straight back on the passenger side and 5,6,7,8 on the drivers side, putting #7 as the third plug back on the drivers side. You may have already knew - but just thought I'd mention it...

Joe

Yes, I did already know that, but it took me a long time searching the web to find it. I wish I had registered on the forum and asked that question before begining that time consuming search. I really do appreciate your thoughtful response. I think I'm going to like this forum thing.

Joe

[2005LSdude]

So what years of LS's have bad valve cover gaskets? I have '05 , Did they start making the gaskets better in later years? thanx opcorn:

[Quik_LS]

yes - the problem is with the 2000-2002 models. the gaskets were re-designed in late 02 (so most of the 02 models and even some early 03 could have the problem). The newer gaskets are 'black' in color verses a 'grey' color for the problem ones.

Remember - you only need to replace the gaskets if you find oil in the spark plug well - (or you are leaking out the top). A mis-fire may be due to just a bad coil or fouled plug.

Another tools you will need is a 7mm gear wrench - I found it a Lowes. the coil cover bolt on the lower firewall Driver side is blocked by the brake booster. Most of the other bolts are 7mm or 10mm sockets.

[jerryls]

Joe,
I had the same problems with my 2000 LS. The plug coils foul because of the oil leak. Replacing the plug/coils isn't too hard, but the gaskets are difficult. I gave in and had them done for about $500. I had them done at 95Kmiles and now have 128K miles and I hav'nt had the problem, so I assume they redesigned the gaskets.