Valve cover

[zgermans]

hello...im going to get my valve cover re-coated but, i have to clean the old coat before i take it in...does anyone know how to take off the old coat? do i need some kind of solution, etc.?
thanks...

[Mannyb18b]

paint thinner

[integralover]

[LSfrankinside]

Pressure wash it with boiling acid, just dont get any on yourself that wont be pleasant. make sure u have eye protection, and PLEASE, for the LOVE OF GOD, dont spray the acid anywhere near your mags it will react VIOLENTLY. keep the mags away.

[integralover]

do not use acid. paint thinner is just fine. just soak it for alittle bit. and scrape away.

[integralover]

and here is a link to a site that will give you a good idea on some polishing. its not for an integra but the pronciple is the same.
http://johnmonnin.netfirms.com/PolishingValve.html

[zgermans]

thanks for your replies...i think ill stick with the paint thinner...thanks for the link integralover...

[zgermans]

my engine has been making this ticking noise...since im going to have the cover off does anyone know where the problem might be?...also when i do have the cover off, what should i cover the engine with?...trash bag?

[integralover]

the valves automatically make a ticking noise. now it should not be loud. just slighty and the fuel injectors will make that noise too. sometimes though the valve spring height needs to be adjusted like on the lifters. but the noise you should hear should be very quiet ticking noise. if that. hopefully your valves are not hitting the pistons. but you will be able to notice that.
as far as covering the engine. a trash bag will do just fine.

[zgermans]

thanks again...i just thought of one more thing...my car has 150k miles on it...should i replace the timming belt?...how hard is it to replace?...

[gsr916]

Has your timing belt ever been replaced? You sure as hell dont want ur timing belt to break or slip teeth... I replaced mine at 80K to be safe, they should last a little longer though probably around 100K. Find out if (and when) it was last replaced and use ur own judgement, or if u feel like taking off that cover you can inspect it for tooth wear, etc.

[zgermans]

thanks for the reply...the car has 150k...i dont know if it has ever had the timing belt replaced...how would i go about checking each teeth?...what does a bad belt look like?...thanks again...

[boosted k20]

1st off that ticking noise u hear is most likely due to u needing a valve lash adjustment. the cams r hitting the rocker arms hard so it's making that ticking noise. get a valve adjustment done and u should be good to go.

if ur gonna remove the paint, go to auto zone and get this can of paint remover called "Aircraft Paint remover" or something along that line. its in the paint section. it's a spray and melts away the old paint. thats what i used on my valve cover when i painted it. works 100 times better than paint thinner. i made a thread about this, lemme see if i can find it

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...ed+valve+cover
when u remove the valvecover, u can cover it with a bag or just close ur hood!

and if u dont know if the timing belt has been replaced then definately replace ur timing belt along with the water pump! i wouldnt recommend u do n this by urself. u need to know what ur doing. iots not like change n a powersteering belt or AC belt

[gsr916]

possibly, but like mentioned earlier, a little ticking is normal. just no way for anyone to tell how loud it is over the forums.

[zgermans]

boosted k20...that valve cover looks really sharp...is it still pretty clean?...

this will be my next project...clean and paint the cover, adjust the valves, and get help on this timing belt...

thanks to everyone for their input...this car was wrecked and isn't running to hot...i've done a lot of work to bring it back to the street...ill put a before and after picture when im complete...thanks again for your help...later...zg