Intake Plenum is off, should I do the Valve Cover?

[MDarius]

How big a deal is a leaky Valve Cover Gasket? I have the intake plenum off along with the throttle body, should I just do it? It's leaking along the passenger side.

To be honest I am an oil changin' alternator replacin' fool but when it gets much more complicated than that, I tend to break things. I didn't break the knock sensor when I changed the PHH though!

Also, since I'm here, do I need to replace the plenum gaskets even though they don't look worn, just because I took the plenum off?

Sorry for stupid questions, I'm kind of a compared to most of you when it comes to this.

 

[ElJefe]

Now that you have the intake plenum off, the valve cover gasket is cake... if yours is leaking I would definitely change it. Should be a 20 minute job. Be sure to replace the spark plug tube seals as well.

***This may be a bit outside your comfort range, but having the valve cover off is a great time to check the valve clearances also. It is pretty simple, spinning the engine by hand and using just a feeler gauge to check clearances... not too much there to break! There is a good writeup if you search or have the FSM. If you pull all the spark plugs, you will be able to spin the engine by hand without tools to check valve clearances, and you put new plugs in at the same time.

I would also recommend changing the gaskets as well. Even they don't look worn, the new ones come with a ridge stamped into the steel which aids sealing, the old ones come out pretty close to flat. For the 10 bucks new gaskets will cost, having to do this again due to a vacuum leak would be a bummer.

 

[Romer]

The spark plug grommets should be changes at the same time as well. That may be what Chris was refering to as gaskets.

 

[cruiserdan]

11213-66021 x1
11193-15010 x6

Do a PCV valve and grommet too:

12204-35040 x1
90480-18001 x1

 

[ElJefe]

He had asked about the intake gaskets. I was referring to the 2 metal gaskets between the upper and lower intake, and the gasket between the plenum and TB. I have reused similar gaskets in the past in a crunch, but have also heard of people having sealing problems reusing after they have been smashed. Cheap insurance to replace them.

 

[MDarius]

Thanks everybody. I took the EGR valve off also, so I guess I'll need a new gasket there as well. I'll go for the valve clearances. Thanks again.

-Matt

 

[Rookie2]

So how does one spin the engine to check valve clearances... wrench on crank shaft bolt? Turn it clockwise if looking at the bolt from the front?

 

[RavenTai]

So how does one spin the engine to check valve clearances... wrench on crank shaft bolt? Turn it clockwise if looking at the bolt from the front?

yes 30MM IIRC, much easier with plugs removed
and I think that is the direction I went.


to you have both intake parts off? if so do the PHH and the fuyel filter, starter contacts might be easier now also.

 

[semlin]

30mm and clockwise is correct. you want a shorty 30mm socket not a hub socket style. also, i think you just turn the cam clockwise with a crescent wrench to do this?

i second replacing the spark plug hole grommet seals as well.

also, while you are there also have a look at the timing chain slipper (the guide the timing chain rides on) to see if it is broken.

 

[MDarius]

Does anybody have a picture or better description of where the crank shaft bolt is that I'm supposed to wrench in order to turn the engine? I assume it is the shaft coming from the engine and the fan is attached to it?

 

[RavenTai]

Does anybody have a picture or better description of where the crank shaft bolt is that I'm supposed to wrench in order to turn the engine? I assume it is the shaft coming from the engine and the fan is attached to it?

what you are describing is the water pump.

about 10" down from the fan, it is the big pulley where all the belts meet,

see post # 30 in this thread

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=94281

it is the big pulley under the white arrow, you can just barely see the hex of the bolt you need to turn head at the front