Page Thirteen
Page 1: Modification List
Page 2: Exterior
Page 3: Interior
Page 4: Engine
Page 5: Keyhole Illumination Repair
Page 6: Cattman Catback
Page 7: Progress RSB
Page 8: Cattman Header Install
Page 9: Custom Paint
Page 10: Plugs & Colis
Page 11: Escort 8500 x50 Smartcord Hardwire Write-up
Page 12: Molded Dash Kit & Guage Upgrade
Page 13: Valve Cover & Gasket Replacement
Page 14: G2 Caliper Paint
I have included a little write-up for changing out your valve cover gasket and valve cover on a VQ35DE. There isn't that much more involved once you pull off the IM, but this can be used for reference purposes or for the first-timers, which was myself.
There are several write-ups for pulling off the IM, so I will obviously begin after that point.
The pictures below show most of what you need to disconnect, minus the rear bolts that hold the valve cover on.
Yellow Triangles - 10mm Coil Pack bolts (3), remove coil packs at any time prior to removing the valve cover.
White Arrow - PCV Valve rubber pipe, remove and attach to new valve cover
Green Arrow - Simply slide off and leave in place
Red Circles - Electrical Plug Clips
Blue Squares/Arrow - 10mm Valve Cover Bolts (10), the rest you can't see are in the rear of the valve cover, easily identifiable.
This is a view from the front of the engine bay, on the right side of the rear valve cover.
Once you remove the PCV valve, you need to place it on the new valve cover.
Of course, you need to clean off the surface where the old gasket sat, and remove any hardened silicone. Below is a pic of the cleaned surface with the valve cover removed.
I used some RTV blue silicone gasket sealer I picked up at Autozone. I applied the silicone to the block and inserted the new gasket into the crevice in the new valve cover and then seated the new assembly onto the block. Apparently, there are two specific places identified within the service manual that specify the need for gasket sealer. The two elevation corners on the left side, I believe, as this is where I found the deposit of silicone when I removed my cover. I used sealer all around.
Finally, attach vaccum hoses and the like and then re-torque and assemble the valve cover bolts in the following manner. It is important to remember that the bolts do not need alot of pressure applied. I have heard they can easily be snapped. When you take the valve cover off, you will be able to tell how the bolts aren't put on with alot of force. Also, you do not want to squueze out all of your silicone.
Lastly, re-assemble the IM and hopefully, your oil woes are vanquished. I was going through a decent amount of oil before this and the rear of my block by the valve cover gasket was wet and leaking oil. This was something that definately needed to be done. The front bank of plugs/valve cover still has no leakage.
Page 1: Modification List
Page 2: Exterior
Page 3: Interior
Page 4: Engine
Page 5: Keyhole Illumination Repair
Page 6: Cattman Catback
Page 7: Progress RSB
Page 8: Cattman Header Install
Page 9: Custom Paint
Page 10: Plugs & Colis
Page 11: Escort 8500 x50 Smartcord Hardwire Write-up
Page 12: Molded Dash Kit & Guage Upgrade
Page 13: Valve Cover & Gasket Replacement
Page 14: G2 Caliper Paint
