Any techniques for getting a valve cover off?

[Irk]

I'm having a hard time trying to get the valve cover off on a 97 metro 3cyl. I removed the 4 nuts on the top and the PCV valve pipe from the back and gave it some wacks with a rubber hammer to break the seal according to the haynes manual, but it doesn't budge a bit.

I got a flat blade screw driver inbetween the valve cover and the cylinder head and pryed it a little making sure to not damage the aluminum surface.

It broke the seal but I still couldn't get it to lift off the 4 bolts. Anything I'm missing or any techniques on getting it off.

[frets14]

The four nuts have a rubber sealing grommet under them. Using a sharp awl, poke into the surface of each rubber grommet and unscrew it off the threaded stud. The valve cover will lift off easily then.

[99Metro]

Don't pry between the valve cover and the head! There should be plenty of places to do a little prying. Tapping a bit with a rubber mallet and then rocking out should work too. It can be a bit tough, but like ^^^ said, the rubber grommets can hold it down. Make sure you get the 4 of them out first before removing the valve cover - those little buggers tend to fly everywhere when the cover pops off!

[Irk]

I removed the rubber grommets and the cover came off alot easier, thanks alot guys.