88 Wrangler - 4.2L with leaking valve cover
 

I have an 88 wrangler 4.2L with a leaking valve cover. The trouble I
am having is that I can not find a replacement gasket for the valve
cover. Is there a replacement gasket available, and if not can I just
use RTV or equivalent?

Word of note, I am new to the jeep scene and am not a real seasoned
mechanic but this looks easy enough to handle given a little direction.

Thanks

Re: 88 Wrangler - 4.2L with leaking valve cover
 

I have better luck with the blue Permatex silicone, then a new
gasket, it's the only thing that works on these cheap warped, plastic
valve covers. Clean the suffices with a solvent that will not leave a
residue, I use denatured alcohol, not gasoline. Then I lay a bead of
silicone about the size of a 1/4" rope in the middle of the gasket area
and smear just enough around each of the bolt holes. Remember too much
could break loose and clog your oil pump. Then ease it down exactly onto
the right position, first time, no sliding, or you've wasted your time.
God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

"new2jeep-usenet@yahoo.com" wrote:
>
> I have an 88 wrangler 4.2L with a leaking valve cover. The trouble I
> am having is that I can not find a replacement gasket for the valve
> cover. Is there a replacement gasket available, and if not can I just
> use RTV or equivalent?
>
> Word of note, I am new to the jeep scene and am not a real seasoned
> mechanic but this looks easy enough to handle given a little direction.
>
> Thanks

Re: 88 Wrangler - 4.2L with leaking valve cover
 

I have better luck with the blue Permatex silicone, then a new
gasket, it's the only thing that works on these cheap warped, plastic
valve covers. Clean the suffices with a solvent that will not leave a
residue, I use denatured alcohol, not gasoline. Then I lay a bead of
silicone about the size of a 1/4" rope in the middle of the gasket area
and smear just enough around each of the bolt holes. Remember too much
could break loose and clog your oil pump. Then ease it down exactly onto
the right position, first time, no sliding, or you've wasted your time.
God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

"new2jeep-usenet@yahoo.com" wrote:
>
> I have an 88 wrangler 4.2L with a leaking valve cover. The trouble I
> am having is that I can not find a replacement gasket for the valve
> cover. Is there a replacement gasket available, and if not can I just
> use RTV or equivalent?
>
> Word of note, I am new to the jeep scene and am not a real seasoned
> mechanic but this looks easy enough to handle given a little direction.
>
> Thanks

Re: 88 Wrangler - 4.2L with leaking valve cover
 

I have better luck with the blue Permatex silicone, then a new
gasket, it's the only thing that works on these cheap warped, plastic
valve covers. Clean the suffices with a solvent that will not leave a
residue, I use denatured alcohol, not gasoline. Then I lay a bead of
silicone about the size of a 1/4" rope in the middle of the gasket area
and smear just enough around each of the bolt holes. Remember too much
could break loose and clog your oil pump. Then ease it down exactly onto
the right position, first time, no sliding, or you've wasted your time.
God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

"new2jeep-usenet@yahoo.com" wrote:
>
> I have an 88 wrangler 4.2L with a leaking valve cover. The trouble I
> am having is that I can not find a replacement gasket for the valve
> cover. Is there a replacement gasket available, and if not can I just
> use RTV or equivalent?
>
> Word of note, I am new to the jeep scene and am not a real seasoned
> mechanic but this looks easy enough to handle given a little direction.
>
> Thanks

Re: 88 Wrangler - 4.2L with leaking valve cover
 

Standard problem. There is a certain amount of disagreement over the
best fix. Here's mine:

Clean the cover and head completely. Toss the cover in a 5 gallon bucket
of very hot water and a cup of Tide or other laundry detergent. Scrub
well and dry. scrape the head, wipe it down with solvent, spray it with
carb cleaner to get the last bits of grease and oil off. Be especially
carefull on the very back of the head next to the firewall. (Hard to get
at, usual source of leaks)

Don't use a gasket. Use Permatex **BLACK** RTV (oil resistant) Squirt
an even 5/16" bead around the whole cover. (use the whole tube) Open
time (time it remains sticky on the surface) is only 5 to 10 minutes so
work quickly. Set the cover down on the head, insert bolts, tighten
lightly. Let it sit 24 hours (!!), torque bolts to spec.

Cheers

new2jeep-usenet@yahoo.com wrote:

> I have an 88 wrangler 4.2L with a leaking valve cover. The trouble I
> am having is that I can not find a replacement gasket for the valve
> cover. Is there a replacement gasket available, and if not can I just
> use RTV or equivalent?
>
> Word of note, I am new to the jeep scene and am not a real seasoned
> mechanic but this looks easy enough to handle given a little direction.
>
> Thanks
>

Re: 88 Wrangler - 4.2L with leaking valve cover
 

Standard problem. There is a certain amount of disagreement over the
best fix. Here's mine:

Clean the cover and head completely. Toss the cover in a 5 gallon bucket
of very hot water and a cup of Tide or other laundry detergent. Scrub
well and dry. scrape the head, wipe it down with solvent, spray it with
carb cleaner to get the last bits of grease and oil off. Be especially
carefull on the very back of the head next to the firewall. (Hard to get
at, usual source of leaks)

Don't use a gasket. Use Permatex **BLACK** RTV (oil resistant) Squirt
an even 5/16" bead around the whole cover. (use the whole tube) Open
time (time it remains sticky on the surface) is only 5 to 10 minutes so
work quickly. Set the cover down on the head, insert bolts, tighten
lightly. Let it sit 24 hours (!!), torque bolts to spec.

Cheers

new2jeep-usenet@yahoo.com wrote:

> I have an 88 wrangler 4.2L with a leaking valve cover. The trouble I
> am having is that I can not find a replacement gasket for the valve
> cover. Is there a replacement gasket available, and if not can I just
> use RTV or equivalent?
>
> Word of note, I am new to the jeep scene and am not a real seasoned
> mechanic but this looks easy enough to handle given a little direction.
>
> Thanks
>

Re: 88 Wrangler - 4.2L with leaking valve cover
 

Standard problem. There is a certain amount of disagreement over the
best fix. Here's mine:

Clean the cover and head completely. Toss the cover in a 5 gallon bucket
of very hot water and a cup of Tide or other laundry detergent. Scrub
well and dry. scrape the head, wipe it down with solvent, spray it with
carb cleaner to get the last bits of grease and oil off. Be especially
carefull on the very back of the head next to the firewall. (Hard to get
at, usual source of leaks)

Don't use a gasket. Use Permatex **BLACK** RTV (oil resistant) Squirt
an even 5/16" bead around the whole cover. (use the whole tube) Open
time (time it remains sticky on the surface) is only 5 to 10 minutes so
work quickly. Set the cover down on the head, insert bolts, tighten
lightly. Let it sit 24 hours (!!), torque bolts to spec.

Cheers

new2jeep-usenet@yahoo.com wrote:

> I have an 88 wrangler 4.2L with a leaking valve cover. The trouble I
> am having is that I can not find a replacement gasket for the valve
> cover. Is there a replacement gasket available, and if not can I just
> use RTV or equivalent?
>
> Word of note, I am new to the jeep scene and am not a real seasoned
> mechanic but this looks easy enough to handle given a little direction.
>
> Thanks
>

Re: 88 Wrangler - 4.2L with leaking valve cover
 

Yup, we all do them a bit different.

They can't be too clean. Even one fingerprint on the mating surfaces
will cause a leak.

I haven't had any issues finding new gaskets. They make the cork ones
and a total rip off expensive rubber one that just plain don't work. I
think my last cork one was a 'fel pro' or something like that.

Once everything is super clean, I coat the engine head surface lightly
with Black RTV and put a light coat in the valve cover ridge, then
sandwich the cork in and tighten down to specs.

I then don't even breath on the sucker for 24 hours to let the RTV cure
like the directions say.

I never re-torque anything that uses RTV after it cures because in my
mind, this will break the nice seal I just spent the day making....

You also need to get the proper 'sensor safe' RTV. Normal RTV or
silicone fumes in the air will instantly kill your O2 sensor.

My last gasket replacement was in 2001 I believe and it is still holding
strong.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Aug./05 http://www.imagestation.com/album/in...?id=2120343242
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

"new2jeep-usenet@yahoo.com" wrote:
>
> I have an 88 wrangler 4.2L with a leaking valve cover. The trouble I
> am having is that I can not find a replacement gasket for the valve
> cover. Is there a replacement gasket available, and if not can I just
> use RTV or equivalent?
>
> Word of note, I am new to the jeep scene and am not a real seasoned
> mechanic but this looks easy enough to handle given a little direction.
>
> Thanks

Re: 88 Wrangler - 4.2L with leaking valve cover
 

Yup, we all do them a bit different.

They can't be too clean. Even one fingerprint on the mating surfaces
will cause a leak.

I haven't had any issues finding new gaskets. They make the cork ones
and a total rip off expensive rubber one that just plain don't work. I
think my last cork one was a 'fel pro' or something like that.

Once everything is super clean, I coat the engine head surface lightly
with Black RTV and put a light coat in the valve cover ridge, then
sandwich the cork in and tighten down to specs.

I then don't even breath on the sucker for 24 hours to let the RTV cure
like the directions say.

I never re-torque anything that uses RTV after it cures because in my
mind, this will break the nice seal I just spent the day making....

You also need to get the proper 'sensor safe' RTV. Normal RTV or
silicone fumes in the air will instantly kill your O2 sensor.

My last gasket replacement was in 2001 I believe and it is still holding
strong.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Aug./05 http://www.imagestation.com/album/in...?id=2120343242
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

"new2jeep-usenet@yahoo.com" wrote:
>
> I have an 88 wrangler 4.2L with a leaking valve cover. The trouble I
> am having is that I can not find a replacement gasket for the valve
> cover. Is there a replacement gasket available, and if not can I just
> use RTV or equivalent?
>
> Word of note, I am new to the jeep scene and am not a real seasoned
> mechanic but this looks easy enough to handle given a little direction.
>
> Thanks

Re: 88 Wrangler - 4.2L with leaking valve cover
 

Yup, we all do them a bit different.

They can't be too clean. Even one fingerprint on the mating surfaces
will cause a leak.

I haven't had any issues finding new gaskets. They make the cork ones
and a total rip off expensive rubber one that just plain don't work. I
think my last cork one was a 'fel pro' or something like that.

Once everything is super clean, I coat the engine head surface lightly
with Black RTV and put a light coat in the valve cover ridge, then
sandwich the cork in and tighten down to specs.

I then don't even breath on the sucker for 24 hours to let the RTV cure
like the directions say.

I never re-torque anything that uses RTV after it cures because in my
mind, this will break the nice seal I just spent the day making....

You also need to get the proper 'sensor safe' RTV. Normal RTV or
silicone fumes in the air will instantly kill your O2 sensor.

My last gasket replacement was in 2001 I believe and it is still holding
strong.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Aug./05 http://www.imagestation.com/album/in...?id=2120343242
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

"new2jeep-usenet@yahoo.com" wrote:
>
> I have an 88 wrangler 4.2L with a leaking valve cover. The trouble I
> am having is that I can not find a replacement gasket for the valve
> cover. Is there a replacement gasket available, and if not can I just
> use RTV or equivalent?
>
> Word of note, I am new to the jeep scene and am not a real seasoned
> mechanic but this looks easy enough to handle given a little direction.
>
> Thanks