2006-08-16 13:54:13 · 15 answers · asked by Jasen M 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
No, you don't. Would be advisable to change the oil after your donw with the job, to get rid of the debris that may have fallen inside the engine itself.
2006-08-16 13:58:27 · answer #1 · answered by Silverstang 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Valve covers sit on the top most part of the engine and, with the engine off, the oil will seek the lowest part of the engine. So... no, you do not need to drain the oil to change the valve cover gasket.
However, look closely at your particular valve cover... if the head is positioned such that the valve cover sits flat in relation to the ground, the oil existing over the head SHOULD drain out and you will have no leakage when you pull the cover off. If we are speaking of a V block, i.e. V8, V6 etc... the head does not sit flat in relation to the ground and oil has the potential of pooling at the edge of the valve cover and will leak or dribble when the cover is removed. Problems with head drainage could also lead to oil spillage when the cover is removed. The head has holes in the bottom to allow for drainage to the oil pan... any blockage of these holes and you have the chance for pooling in the head and could allow oil to sit at the edge of the valve cover.
So, while you have no real concern for dumping large amounts of oil from removing the valve cover, you do have the potential for a mess if you are not prepared. Get a roll of paper towels handy for when you knock the cover free... catch the slight spillage that may exist. Note how much so you can investigate clogged drain holes.
Be sure to clean the gasket surfaces of all oil residue before you install the new valve cover gasket and also add hi-temperature RTV to any 90 degree corners that exist in the pattern. Just a dab will do it but these gaskets have the most chance of leakage at those particular points.
I replace ALL elastomeric (rubber) gaskets on the valve cover when I do such a job and I follow the torque specification to the letter when it goes back on. No leaks to date and I don't plan on any!
Good luck!
2006-08-16 14:07:28 · answer #2 · answered by Les 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely not!!! If you are very careful when you remove the valve cover and scrape the old gasket material off the head and don't get dirt or crud from the cover in the top of the head you will be fine. It is a good time however to look at the valve stem seals and make sure their not dry rotted. When they break up and get into the oil pan over a long time they will tend to suck up into the screen on the oil pump and cause you to lose some oil pressure and eventually can cause you to burn up a good engine. Usually if the engine's gaskets are old enough to need replacing the stem seals need it too. You can buy a fitting to screw into the cylinder in place of the spark plug that an air hose hooks to and blows air into the cylinder to hold the valves up while you take the spring retainers loose and the valve spring off long enough to slide the old seal off and the new one on. Simple, cheap, and worth it. If you haven't heard them called valve stem seals you might have heard them called valve umbrellas. That's kind of what they look like...
2006-08-16 17:32:19 · answer #3 · answered by Craig H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oil Change Valve
2016-11-09 23:03:14 · answer #4 · answered by Erika 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, you don't have to drain your oil. Be sure not to tighten the bolts to much whenyou re-install the valve cover. The bolts only take about 15 to 25 ft/lbs of torque. You should only go about 1/4 of a turn after you start to feel resistance. You can always ask your parts store for specs....thatis what they are there for.
2006-08-16 14:08:14 · answer #5 · answered by cunningly1 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since i am a full service technician and I do work in a shop called Dekalb Tire, I would have to say that you wouldn't have to do what you just asked. But you gotta make sure you are not letting anything drop into your engine or else you'd be in a lot of trouble. But if you feel that dropping the engine oil is desireable, then go ahead and do that and that way your mistake won't be a turn table.
2006-08-16 14:04:20 · answer #6 · answered by iwasjustawanderinman 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its recommended 2 drain d oil but u don't have 2 BUT u will have 2 be very careful doing so!!!
2006-08-16 14:00:51 · answer #7 · answered by Cymbo2001 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no you don't ,,not on any car made that i know of,,and i own a repair shop here in Tennessee and do it all the time,,i guess i have probably put valve cover gaskets on every kind of car made at one time or another,,i hope this helps.
2006-08-16 14:00:56 · answer #8 · answered by dodge man 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No you don't, just unbolt the cover clean off the old gasket really good and install the new one.
2006-08-16 14:03:24 · answer #9 · answered by mister ss 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no u do not just dont let any trash fall into the engine or a bolt other wise ull be changing more than oil
2006-08-16 13:59:53 · answer #10 · answered by blazer 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋