About to embark on an adventure. (Valve cover gasket)

Has anybody replaced their valve cover gasket before? if so how long was the labor and how tediouse was it? do you need any special tools? is reassymbly a bitch? really not looking forward to this but must be done. it is a tiny leak but i HATE leaks.
Thanks

 

is it the 4 or 6 cylinder?

 

6 cyl.

 

If you have the 3.4 liter V6 you will have to remove the intake, throttle body and intake tube as well as removing some of the vacuum lines to get to the top bolts on the valve covers...Not too hard but may be a little time consuming.

 

I'm going to have to do the same myself pretty soon...

 

just ordered the intake manifold gasket to and it was a bit pricy...jeezzz

 

around where you live in the c town? and you got anymore pics or your rig?

 

I live in the North area right off of Dorchester Rd...You?

As far as pics, I don't have any more of mine...It is a work in progress but I keep dumping money into my other hobby, LOL.

 

west ashely

 

A stones throw across the Ashley River...LOL

 

Oh and where did you purchase your intake manifold gaskets? I have not priced them yet but I am sure you can get a set of Fel-Pro from Parks a lot cheaper than the dealer. When I took my throttle body off to clean my Idle Speed Control Valve, both gaskets together ran me close to $4...I know the intake manifold gaskets are larger than the throttle body gaskets but I can't imagine them being over $20...

 

auto parts warehouse..upper manifold gasket kit one is $75 and the other is $101

 

You have got to be kidding me?!?!? I may call Parks in the morning to compare...if it is that much, I may hold off a little longer on the valve cover gasket replacement.
I would also gets some throttle body cleaner and a new throttle body gasket and a Idle Control Air Speed Valve gasket and clean the valve since you will have it off...those two gaskets will run you around $4 for both.
Another thing since you will have the intake manifold off, If you have the funds, I would look at replacing the fuel injectors....they are a bit pricey but you are going to be in that area, cheaper now than later since you will have to remove the intake to get to them.

 

that not a bad idea the injectors but they seem to be fine i say that only because i am still getting good gas milage but being 11 years old it would only benefit

 

Where in west ashley do you live? I am in Avondale right by Genes. Ive never seen you around. I would check with autozone on the manifold gaskets. They are usually pretty fair

 

South windamire

 

Mine is leaking a small bit too.

 

You might as well check your valve adjustment while you are that far in.
I think I paid about $20 for the upper intake gaskets and $35 for the valve cover set. Both were Felpro.

 

how long did this take you

 

About 3 hours or so. Not counting the time it took to take the valve covers to the car wash to clean them off.