I couldn't find much info on valve cover gaskets, so I'll post what I learned.
Mine were leaking slightly causing a burning oil smell. Not using any oil really. I didn't worry about it until I had to change the starter and then I was pretty deep so I changed them.
Lessons:
1) if they are leaking, you need to change the gaskets. Don't just tighten the bolts. They are supposed to be torqued to a very low torque. Like 5-10 lbs. I guess because the block is aluminum and you don't want to warp or strip anything.
2) they are pretty easy to change. You don't need to wait until you have to take the intake manifold off. Passenger side is very easy. Drivers side has more stuff in the way and a spot where can rip the new gasket. See below.
3) You don't need to get the whole kit that includes the spark plug tube seals and the bolt washers. To replace the spark plug seals it looks like to have to drill out the rivets on the inside of the valve cover. Didn't look worth it to me. The bolt washers don't come off of the bolts very easy, also didn't seem worth it.
4) on the drivers side, at the front of the engine, you will have to remove a bracket holding an AC hose that covers an edge of the valve cover. Once you get the new gasket on, make sure you don't push on the valve cover to get it back past this bracket. On the valves themselves, there's a bolt that sticks up higher than the others. (2nd bolt back on the bottom, once you're looking for it you'll see it.) Once you get the valve cover resting on this bolt, don't push on it but just pull the AC hose out of the way until the cover slips past the hose and bolt on its own. If you push on the cover, the bolt will rip the gasket and it'll leak like the Exxon Valdez.
5) would be nice if you had a low end torque wrench. Mine started at 20 lbs and that seemed too heavy from what I had read. I just tightened them by feel and tried to stop just after there was a little resistance.
All together about $40 for gaskets (if you don't rip one) and about 3 hrs. Not too bad.
Started and ran good with no leaks so far. I haven't road tested it yet but if something doesn't work out I'll update this post.
Ready for 240k more miles! Good luck!
Mine were leaking slightly causing a burning oil smell. Not using any oil really. I didn't worry about it until I had to change the starter and then I was pretty deep so I changed them.
Lessons:
1) if they are leaking, you need to change the gaskets. Don't just tighten the bolts. They are supposed to be torqued to a very low torque. Like 5-10 lbs. I guess because the block is aluminum and you don't want to warp or strip anything.
2) they are pretty easy to change. You don't need to wait until you have to take the intake manifold off. Passenger side is very easy. Drivers side has more stuff in the way and a spot where can rip the new gasket. See below.
3) You don't need to get the whole kit that includes the spark plug tube seals and the bolt washers. To replace the spark plug seals it looks like to have to drill out the rivets on the inside of the valve cover. Didn't look worth it to me. The bolt washers don't come off of the bolts very easy, also didn't seem worth it.
4) on the drivers side, at the front of the engine, you will have to remove a bracket holding an AC hose that covers an edge of the valve cover. Once you get the new gasket on, make sure you don't push on the valve cover to get it back past this bracket. On the valves themselves, there's a bolt that sticks up higher than the others. (2nd bolt back on the bottom, once you're looking for it you'll see it.) Once you get the valve cover resting on this bolt, don't push on it but just pull the AC hose out of the way until the cover slips past the hose and bolt on its own. If you push on the cover, the bolt will rip the gasket and it'll leak like the Exxon Valdez.
5) would be nice if you had a low end torque wrench. Mine started at 20 lbs and that seemed too heavy from what I had read. I just tightened them by feel and tried to stop just after there was a little resistance.
All together about $40 for gaskets (if you don't rip one) and about 3 hrs. Not too bad.
Started and ran good with no leaks so far. I haven't road tested it yet but if something doesn't work out I'll update this post.
Ready for 240k more miles! Good luck!