Cracked Valve Cover!

[lsbit]

I am in a bit of a jam here. I had some time off this week so I decided to finally tackle on the driver's side gasket kit. I finally get the valve cover off and when I go to take one of the seals off, I notice some damage. By luck, my wife's car decided to break down yesterday too, so now we have no family car, just my '95 Mustang. There is no telling when my wife's car will be ready. It is a re-occuring problem that they have worked on a couple of times now.

The correct answer to my question is probably replace it, but nobody locally will have it until Wednesday of next week or so. Does anyone think I can get by with this damaged cover? Cost for a new one is $110 at my local dealer.

..and here is what it looks like with the seal on.

That plug did have some fresh oil on it, so it has been leaking. It had the gray seals though.

OH AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

[2k2ls]

me personally I wouldnt do it. between the wasted time of re-installing and removing again later, plus the wasted money for a gasket, and dont forget the possibility of a nasty oil leak that'll probably blow a coil...just hang tight til wednesday. i know it sucks.

 

[kleetus]

It's either that or JB weld... I've fixed some pretty amazing things with that stuff, a scored cylinder in a diesel backhoe! yes it runs...

The best would be to wait and get the new cover, but it's not exactly a super critical part either...heck, silicone RTV would work... it's a valve cover for God's sake! All we're trying to do is keep oil out. It works for conventional engines, intakes and pan gaskets, why wouldn't it here? By the way, do you have the chunk that's missing or, is it somewhere in the oil pan?

Kleetus

'00 LS V8 Sport

 

[lsbit]

It's either that or JB weld... I've fixed some pretty amazing things with that stuff, a scored cylinder in a diesel backhoe! yes it runs...

The best would be to wait and get the new cover, but it's not exactly a super critical part either...heck, silicone RTV would work... it's a valve cover for God's sake! All we're trying to do is keep oil out. It works for conventional engines, intakes and pan gaskets, why wouldn't it here? By the way, do you have the chunk that's missing or, is it somewhere in the oil pan?

It's plastic (some kind of composite) so I wouldn't trust a type of JB or glue on it, even though it might work. The plastic I found was a few small pieces, so not too useable. I think the seal was holding it together. Also, these cars had problems with sealing the plug areas. They had to re-design the seal because of this. I was worried that the rubber would flex too much in that area and cause it to leak. I just was not interested in spending the several hours repeating the procedure. I know what you mean though. If it was my 302 Mustang, I would have not worried about spending the extra 30 minutes doing it again, AND the worst that would happen on that car is some oil leaking on the exhaust. No coil packs to damage.

Grand scheme of things, the extra $110 I have to spend is not bad considering I got a good deal on the car, it appears. I am trying to look on the bright side (if you couldn't tell).

 

[kleetus]

I can't argue with you there... good thing you found the missing pieces, that would kinda suck if they wound up someplace they don't belong and narfed something up.

 

[eL eS]

replace it just for the peace of mind. Do you know if the valve covers come with the gasket? I think the gasket kits are about 130 ea. +/- a few bucks.

My 00 V6 is in the shop and the RH valve cover needs to be worked on. Is yours a V6 by any chance? I am looking for a little mentoring on the project. I don't know if I should have them do it or tackle it myself. The RH valve cover requires a significant amout of disassembly.

I also have a leaky oil pan which they are doing the work on.

 

[Joeychgo]

I agree- hang on til tomorrow and replace it. Less aggravation and peace of mind in the long run

 

[lsbit]

I doubt the cover comes with the gaskets, but I will let you know when it comes in. I bought the gasket kit for about $35.00. Mine is the v8, so I can't help you there. I do plan on building a page on how to do both sides.

My wife got her car back from the dealer, so the pressure is off me a little. I did decide to wait.

 

[eL eS]

Glad to hear she got her car back and that you waited. I am giving strong consideration to doing mine as well. My with is a technical doc writter so I am trying to enlist her assistance in the recording process. This should keep me from getting the camera and notepad all greasy.

I really don't mind figuring out how to crack the egg and I might as well document it for the next guy that has to do it. Hey where did you get the gasket kit for 36 bux is it OEM or aftermarket?

 

[lsbit]

I bought my gasket kit from my local dealer. They are getting used to seeing me, so they gave me a discount.

I picked up the valve cover about an hour ago. You were right. It has all the bolts, gaskets, and seals. I already opened my gasket kit but haven't used them. I wonder if I can return it. With the bolts and everything, the valve cover price is not quite as bad. It is more like $75.00.

If anyone from Knoxville wants the gasket set, let me know. I know there are a couple of new guys here from Knoxville now as I met one of them at one of the local dealers.

I also got a price from fordpartsonline, but that was for the outside gasket only. I think the v6 was more money.

 

[eL eS]

I bought my gasket kit from my local dealer. They are getting used to seeing me, so they gave me a discount.

I picked up the valve cover about an hour ago. You were right. It has all the bolts, gaskets, and seals. I already opened my gasket kit but haven't used them. I wonder if I can return it. With the bolts and everything, the valve cover price is not quite as bad. It is more like $75.00.

If anyone from Knoxville wants the gasket set, let me know. I know there are a couple of new guys here from Knoxville now as I met one of them at one of the local dealers.

I also got a price from fordpartsonline, but that was for the outside gasket only. I think the v6 was more money.

I hate to say it but hold on to it... you might need it again in a few thousand miles. I hear all to often.


So the valve cover came with everything ehh. I found the same thing when I replaced my AC compressor. I bought a completely assembled compressor for around 425 dollars. All I need was the AC clutch coil but to break it down and replace it would have been very time consuming process. In the end I paid about 75 more for the entire thing plus freon and such