Valve Cover: Service and Repair
NOTE: The valve covers have integral (built-in) valve cover gaskets which should last the life of the vehicle. Follow the steps provided should removal become necessary.
Removal
1. Disconnect battery ground cable.
2. Disconnect ignition wires from spark plugs.
3. Remove ignition wire/separator assembly from valve cover retaining studs and move out of the way.
4. If LH valve cover is being removed perform the following:
- Disconnect crankcase ventilation tube.
- Remove oil filler cap (if replacing valve cover).
- Remove fuel charging wiring harness stand-offs from inboard valve cover studs. Move fuel charging wiring out of the way.
5. If RH valve cover is being removed, perform the following:
- Remove throttle.
- Loosen lower EGR valve to exhaust manifold tube retaining nut and rotateEGR valve to exhaust manifold tube out of the way.
- Remove positive crankcase ventilation valve (PCV valve) (if replacing valve cover).
- Remove fuel charging wiring stand-offs from inboard valve cover studs.
- Move fuel charging wiring out of the way.
6. Loosen valve cover retaining bolts and studs and then carefully slide a sharp, thin bladed knife between cylinder head and valve cover gasket at the rail step where the intake manifold mates to the cylinder head (two places each side). Cut only the RTV sealer and not the integral valve cover gasket, then remove valve cover making sure the RTV sealer does not pull the integral valve cover gasket from the valve cover.
7. Remove integral valve cover gasket by pulling from valve cover gasket channel. Note bolt/stud locations before removing valve cover gasket as fasteners are secured by valve cover gasket.
Installation
Unleaded Gasoline Shown, FF Similar:
1. Clean valve cover gasket channel with soft cloth to remove all dirt.
2. Using a suitable solvent, clean off any remaining RTV sealant.
CAUTION: Check valve cover gasket for correct installation. New valve cover gasket will lay flat to the valve cover in both the channel and fastener areas. If the valve cover gasket is installed incorrectly, oil leakage will occur.
3. Aligning fastener holes, lay new valve cover gasket onto channel.
4. Install valve cover gasket to each fastener by securing fastener head with a nut driver or socket. Seat fastener against valve cover and, at the same time, roll valve cover gasket around fastener collar. If installed correctly, all fasteners will be secured by valve cover gasket and will not fall out.
NOTE: Using solvent, clean cylinder head and valve cover sealing surfaces to remove all silicone sealer and dirt. Lightly oil all bolt and stud threads before installation.
5. Apply bead of Silicone Gasket and Sealant F1AZ-1 9562-A (WSE-M4G320-A2) or equivalent at cylinder head to intake manifold rail step (two places per rail) as shown.
CAUTION: Use a straight down approach when installing valve cover. Any adjustment after RTV sealer contact can roll valve cover gasket from valve cover channel resulting in leaks.
6. Position valve cover on the cylinder head and hand tighten retaining bolts and studs. Then, tighten in sequence to 10-14 Nm (8-10 lb-ft).
7. If LH valve cover is being installed, perform the following:
- Install oil filler cap (if removed).
- Connect crankcase ventilation tube to nipple.
- Install fuel charging wiring stand-offs to the appropriate inboard valve cover studs (two required).
8. For non-flexible fuel (FF) vehicles only, if RH valve cover is being installed, perform the following:
- Install fuel charging wiring stand-offs to the appropriate inboard valve cover studs (two required).
- Install throttle body.
- Install positive crankcase ventilation valve and connect crankcase ventilation tube.
- Connect EGR valve to exhaust manifold tube to EGR valve (EGR valve). Tighten both retaining nuts to 35-65 Nm (28-46 lbft).