cleaning valve cover gaskets

I have to remove the valve covers, and I'm hesitant to spend another $96 for a pair of OEM valve cover gaskets if it's not necessary. I might even have to remove them again after a short time (doing valve shims), so likewise I don't want to spend $194 if not necessary.

Can Permatex Right Stuff be cleaned off of a rubber gasket somehow, either with their expensive cleaner, or something else, without damaging the rubber? I dabbed it in the right spots when I replaced the gaskets a year ago. I assume the rubber will still be soft and usable after only a year.

 

Should be fine to reuse if not damaged.

 

Yeah, but I assume there's going to be some Permatex stuck to it pretty good? Or is it easier to clean off than I'm imagining? I don't remember what it was like when I did it a year ago because I tossed them.

 

What’s the reason you need to remove them now? If it’s not urgent, I would wait tell you do your valve job.

the right stuff has a vary strong adhesion. Don’t know it your get it off. But anything is worth a try. Be careful what solvents you use on it. It may cause more issues.

 

It's better that I don't go into explaining that here. I've already made the decision and it just depends on how it goes. I'm just wondering about the feasibility of reusing the rubber gaskets with the Permatex on them.

 

I've been able to peel it off before after having to redo the valve cover job for some cam plugs. Didn't have an issue afterwards.

 

Did you break the Pcv grommet and it fell in? All I can think of why you would want to just get in there real quick and not deal with the shims now lol

At a year I’d replace the gasket, but it might be overkill.. I did mine 3 months ago and I’m putting new ones on when I replace my heads this month. That was mainly because it was easier to just get a full gasket set though.

 

Let me remember……
Did plugs/wire/valve cover(assembly)/pvc grommet and valve
Then discovered that oil leak much worse T cover gaskets needed
The valve cover had to come off again
I used same valve cover gasket after
2 months time
Zero issues
Zero oil leaks now

 

Is your gasket set an aftermarket brand? Some are really tempting to me for the price when they're legit companies like Beck Arnley, Mahle, or Victor Reinz. The Felpro blue gaskets leaked on me, so I'm avoiding any blue ones.

 

OEM and will be replaced with OEM. I'm really only replacing them because all the full head gasket sets included them, so it was either pay for the included valve gaskets or piece-meal the entire gasket set together which I just didn't want to deal with. I was really close to going with felpro on the new set, glad I didn't after seeing yours leaked..

The peace of mind that I won't have to deal with taking everything apart again to replace them if they leaked would be enough for me though. If you don't replace them this time, I'd replace them when you do the valve shims, or vice versa. I think 3 times R&R-ed is too much to trust them.