sealingf valve covers?

[SOONverySOON]

I did the valve cover gaskets and when I started it up and took it around the block it was smoking alot so I am assuming they didnt seal. they are at a wierd angle. so how do you seal them? any help would be great. thanks.

[3.4 slow to go]

what yr & engine do you have?

[SOONverySOON]

sorry, 1996 3.8

[3.4 slow to go]

well, mine haven't leaked yet from the engine cranking, but I did make sure all sealing surfaces were clean and that the noodle seal ws seated good in the valve cover before tightening down. yours are tightened down enough, right?

[SOONverySOON]

yes I am pretty sure but tommorow I will tighten them up and try to see what was going on it is just such a pain to do the cover. but it will be easier because I left the engine lift bracket off.

[wantmorepower]

You may have just spilled a little oil when you did the change.... if so it should burn off after a few minutes of running.

[wantmorepower]

Vavle covers can be a major PITA leak if done improperly. You can ensure a leak free seal.

Here is what I have always done in the past with great sucess.

When vavle covers are removed I totally clean the surfaces of both the vavle covers and the heads. I mean spotless. Then I take a rag with alcohol and wipe both surfaces down.

When dry I apply a small bead of Permatex along the valve cover.

I spread this evenly with my finger.

Then I apply the gasket to the vavle cover. (When possible i always choose cork....seems like most people prefer rubber but not me. Cork has nver failed me yet.)

I let this set up for a 5 to 10 minutes.

Next I apply the permatex to the heads. Again don't go overboard just enough so that you can spread it evenly across the surface with your finger.

Then I set the valve covers on the head and tighten the covers down slowly in even steps.

I will let this set for about an hour before firing the engine.

This may or may not be the way vavle covers are done by everyone else but like I said I have yet to ever have vavle covers leak on me yet.

Hope this helps.

[3.4 slow to go]

cork, for the 3800 valve covers?........

On the 2.8~3.4 engines I cain see that. Maybe you just looked at my screen name and...but yeah, for conventional valve cover gaskets you have some good advice.

[SOONverySOON]

yeah thanks for the help. I did them like you said but I didnt use gsket seal I have never had to use it on other engines and I dont like having to take it off. I dont know I hate this car.