Valve cover gasket replacement questions

[nis350]

I am planning to replace the VC gasket and have a couple of questions.

1. There are 2 pieces of gasket for each head, one for the VC and another smaller one for the TB (front part of the engine). I think they overlap each other near the TB sprocket. My question is which gasket goes on the cylinder head first?

2. Do I put gasket bond on the whole gasket or just the corners?

Any other tips would be appreciated.

Thanks....

 

[NSX-Files]

I am planning to replace the VC gasket and have a couple of questions.

1. There are 2 pieces of gasket for each head, one for the VC and another smaller one for the TB (front part of the engine). I think they overlap each other near the TB sprocket. My question is which gasket goes on the cylinder head first?

2. Do I put gasket bond on the whole gasket or just the corners?

Any other tips would be appreciated.

Thanks....

I'm planning to do this too. I've had the gaskets for a year but haven't got around to it as my VC leak isn't very severe. In fact, when I drive it every day I don't even notice a drip. If I don't drive for a couple days or more, when I start it up I can smell some slight oil dripping on the exhaust header.

As for installation, I would imagine the two gaskets you refer to don't overlap each other, they may butt up against each other, in which case it won't matter which one you stick in first. When the valve cover is torqued down the rubber gaskets will squish together tightly completing the seal.

 

[goldNSX]

1. They don't overlap. The valve cover gasket is against oil leaks while the TB gasket just prevents water and dust going into the TB housing. I usually don't replace the later one.

2. ...only on the corners. Remove the old stuff and use only a little bit of Hondabond as it doesn't take much to seal and you don't want silicon worms clog the oil snout.

 

[Larry Bastanza]

The smaller TB cover seal goes on first. The large corner tabs on the VC Gasket overlap the edge of the TB Cover seal. On the back end of the cover(cam plug end) Hondabond is used on the four corners where the square edge meets the head, and at the cam end it goes in the same cooresponding locations.

Get a service manual, it is all clear.

Regards,
LarryB

 

[nis350]

Thank you all for the information....:wink:

 

[Racerxjling]

don't want to double post so will start a new thread.

 

[Daedalus]

Thread bump

The smaller TB cover seal goes on first. The large corner tabs on the VC Gasket overlap the edge of the TB Cover seal. On the back end of the cover(cam plug end) Hondabond is used on the four corners where the square edge meets the head, and at the cam end it goes in the same cooresponding locations.

I have spent the last 2 hours reading up on posts as far back as 2003 on oil leaks, valve cover gaskets, plug gaskets, cam seals, VTEC seals, where to use Hondabond, etc. Some themes have emerged, and even seemingly changed over the years. It's not entirely clear to me that some of the info I gathered didn't conflict, so I'd like to get the most current thoughts from Larry B. and anyone else that cares to chime in.

1) Do you apply Hondabond HT to the entire valve cover gasket? Per the manual, we're supposed to, but I think I've read that the cars didn't come from the factory that way. I know it's not used on the oil pan gasket.

2) At one point, someone (Drew I think, or maybe DanO) pointed out that the Hondabond used on the "square corner" of the valve covers seemed to actually be, per the FSM, between the cam holders and the head. What are the thoughts on this? Should we indeed be placing sealant on the square corners--and only the square corners--of the cover?

3) Any updated thoughts on replacing cam plugs without removing the timing belt? There was a good thread on this, but I want to know if there are any more recent nuggets of wisdom that have emerged. Also, what are the thoughts on rotating the crank 60* from TDC and not touching the valve adjusters to do this job? I'm thinking (not certain though) a 60* rotation would keep all cylinders out of harm's way. I would tie-strap the belt to the cams, but is there any chance the cams might pitch toward the crank enough that the belt would jump time on the crank sprocket?

4) The usual suspects for oil leaks are valve cover gasket, VTEC solenoid, and cam plugs. Any others?

Of course, the reason I'm asking is that I have an oil leak. It occurred about the same time that I did my timing belt, and I'm tweaked that I didn't replace the cam plugs when I did the belt. I think it's from the rear valve cover gasket but I'm not entirely certain. I have the car down for other reasons, so I want to take care of this now, but not being able to start the car makes finding the leak difficult. I'm already in it for new valve cover gaskets and seals, and thinking I should do the plugs too to be safe (and take a risk in not doing the cam seals, which aren't currently leaking). Not entirely comfortable with the thought of doing the plugs though. I don't want to touch the belt or the front timing covers. If I do, I might as well do the cam seals as well. Which seals would you replace?

I was actually able to remove the rear valve cover without tilting the engine or removing the mounts. It took a few minutes of rubix cubing the cover into just the right place and orientation to get it out. But of course I doubt I can get it back in without knocking the gasket out of place and probably gouging the mating surface .

 

[Larry Bastanza]

1. No, the manual suggests using it between the valve cover and the gasket, which I actually do not do. I use Permatex "Hi-Tack" Cement to hold the gasket to the valve cover, and I use it in only a few places along the two long edges, and to hold the three "Spark Plug Seals".

2. I do put a small amount of HondaBond HT in these areas. There are 4 corners at each end of the cylinder head.

3. No need to remove the TB for Cam Plugs.

4. Cam Plugs do not leak very often, usually it is a VC Gasket, or the Spool Valve Gasket. When you replace the VC Gaskets ALWAYS get the VC Gasket Set 12030-PR7-010. This set is applicable for all years, dispite what the part catalog states. This kit has (1)VC Gasket, (3)Spark Plug Gaskets, (6) Head Washers. If these seems expensive to you, and you cut corners, enjoy your new premature leak.


BTW, you will not knock the gasket out of place if you are careful and follow #1 above.

Regards,
LarryB

 

[Daedalus]

Thanks a lot Larry. I was already planning on replacing the VC gasket set you mentioned, and was wondering about using the Hi-Tack. My dilemma was with the plugs and cam seals due to the extra labor. But I'm risk averse, and don't want to do this again before the next TB, so I've decided to go for it, remove the TB, and do it all. I *hate* oil leaks. All parts were bought months ago; I'm just now making time in the garage.