How to change valve cover gasket

[brikat68]

I changed my spark plugs the other day and, after I pulled off the boot, I put the socket down the hole. It came back out covered with oil. The plug furthest to the right was drenched in oil. The one furthest to the left was just fine. The other two were oily, but not as bad.

I called the dealer, and they said that I needed to have the valve cover gasket replaced. They estimated it would cost around $200.

Is this something I can do? The most I've ever done on a car was change the water pump on my 1990 Jeep. I'm not totally inept, but I'm no mechanic.

Does anyone know where I can find some step-by-step instructions?

Thanks!
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2000 Plymouth Neon

[Austin8214]

Originally Posted by brikat68

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Does anyone know where I can find some step-by-step instructions?


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2000 Plymouth Neon

Go to your local parts store and buy a Hanes or Chiltons manule for your car you should find good instructions in one of those books.

[ScrafFD]

wah $200 is too much for a gasket...
I paid 8 dollars for mine at CT.
Its very simple to change a valve cover gasket. You simply remove the cover by removing the nuts that keep it in place. Remove all traces of the old gasket, try not to damage the surface on the cylinder head! After that is all done, wipe clean all of the old junk left behind, and don't get it into the engine either. Depends on what gasket it is, but you may think of buying some gasket sealant as well to tack the new gasket in place so it will be easier to put the valve cover back on again.

But, before you start hacking away at that, neons also have seals at the bottom of the tubes where the spark plugs are located. They prevent the oil from leaking into where the spark plugs are. This might be the culprit, and you may need to change that instead. You may have to get the valve cover off first, which would require a new gasket.
Anyhow, believe me, doing this yourself will save you a lot of money, especially when the guy is going to rape you of your cash.

I agree with Austin though, you may want to pick up a Hanes manual, because I don't know myself how to remove the tubes in order to change the seals. If anyone else knows, please post.

[skatendestroy]

its not the valve cover gasket its the spark plug boots and still there dirt cheap to buy and easy to install