valve cover repair

[sickcallawayc12]

Okay my valve cover has been cracked since october and once this valve cover and gasket finally comes in i can get this bad boy satty fixed but i was thinking if i could fix the crack? it isn't big at all; probably no more than a centimeter wide. Could i weld it together (or should i say the mechanic weld it) or will there still be a chance for leaks to develop? It is on the right side facing the car and i don't know if it gets really hot there in which it would melt the adhesive. I'd rather use this one than the one i'm waiting for (not a saturn oem valve cover, don't wanna pay $200 for one).

[sierrap615]

aluminum or composite valve cover?

[zamp]

you could probably get a new valve cover from a junkyard for a lot less than $200, that would be your easiest bet since it is a simple bolt on part. you CAN weld it if it is aluminum, but it would probably be cheaper to get a used one and replace it yourself.

There are high-temp adhesives, like the ones you use for repairing exhoust that would easaly be able to stand the tems the valve cover experiences.

[sickcallawayc12]

I have the black plastsic composite cover. there is one junkyard in my small town i live in and i'm pretty sure they don't know what a saturn is nor can i drive to one since i can't drive long distance till this is fixed. I just thought it would be easier to repair it since it is plastic. I would do it myself but there are about 12 other things that need to be done to this thing besides the cover (radiator, oil pump, tires, wing, spark plugs, etc.) so i will just let the mechanic play with it.

[sierrap615]

if you really want, try JB Weld.

[sickcallawayc12]

okay i actually took it to a shop yesterday to see what they could do. they didn't have a plastic welder or anything but some really strong glue and it is now fixed as i'm writing this reply. He thinks my oil pressure problem is more likely the bearings; he saw the same case on another saturn a while back but would look at the pump too to make sure. Gonna put on the radiator as well but i may be out of cash after that so the headers, wing, grille, tires, and gauges will have to wait another week or so. Also, i will put on the new brass ECT sensor myself once i get the car back. Is there anything i need to know when doing this? Where is it located exactly and do i need a special wrench to take it out? Should it be tight or finger tight? (etc. etc.)

[sickcallawayc12]

okay i just read wolfmans instruction for installing the new ect so i may not need a response to this; it looks pretty covered but if anyone knows something not listed in there like personal experience or something i should know, well, lemme know so i can do this right.

[travelair]

Wait a minute. Um, I would hold off any work until the oil pressure issue is addressed. You do realize your mechanic was refering to the main bearings in the engine? As in the crankshaft bearings? If he's right, it means a tear down and rebuild. Do it sooner rather than later because the next symptom will be a loud banging noise coupled with a loss of power and engine stoppage. Some like to call it throwing a rod....

[sierrap615]

Originally Posted by travelair

Wait a minute. Um, I would hold off any work until the oil pressure issue is addressed. You do realize your mechanic was refering to the main bearings in the engine? As in the crankshaft bearings? If he's right, it means a tear down and rebuild. Do it sooner rather than later because the next symptom will be a loud banging noise coupled with a loss of power and engine stoppage. Some like to call it throwing a rod....

yes he knows, he has been driving like that for a while, no offence Sick but with your dumb luck that the engine hasn't blown yet, i'm praying its just the pressure sender.

if its not to late, while he has the oil pump out, i HIGHLY advise replacing the timing chain, guides, tenstoner, and gears($200 worth of parts, mine is also giving me a oiling problem.

[sickcallawayc12]

I wasn't gonna get my car back til the oil pressure problem was addressed and i would have done the ect stuff when i got it back but forget that; i got some interesting info from my mechanic today. apparently there is no oil pressure problem after all. after they fixed the valve cover they checked for oil pressure and it was fine. I cannot remember the idle pressure but the other number was 85 psi so i just the cracked cover and no gasket for it was the only issue. I guess the engine would have already blown if there was a problem. Nice. now i can put on the headers and ect on monday, see how much more fun this car will be to drive. I'll be cautious for the first few hundred miles though.

Originally Posted by sierrap615

, i HIGHLY advise replacing the timing chain, guides, tenstoner, and gears($200 worth of parts, mine is also giving me a oiling problem.

I don't plan to get a new belt or chain till next month when i get new very much needed shoes and pads. I'm assuming the gears you said is oil pump gear which i have but what are the guides you are referring too? I'll add that to the list as well.

[sierrap615]

not the oil pump gears, the cam and crank thing sprockets.

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