is there a trick to putting valve cover gaskets on the 1.6 engines? i have put two on now and they have both slipped well installing. it is a cork gasket, but that is all that was available and i found another one today at a auto parts store. i think my luck on finding local ones are probably up now this is the third one i purchased this week, and there's not alot of cars older then 2000 around in newfoundland because the environment eats them
. i tried using some rtv but that seemed worse then installing it dry. all other cars i have installed gaskets on have had little keys in the pan that the gasket would slid through and hold it in place. so i am stumped i need to get this car on the road pretty soon. any suggestion?
install it dry.. clean the valve cover and head surface..
use a dab of silicone at the corners of the orange seal that goes up over the cam cap..
DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN!! do you have shouldered studs, or straight studs?
i have shoulder studs except for one it striped out so i ran a tap through and am using a bolt.
Upgrade to the later rubber gasket, with allen head set screws for studs.
When using RTV you have to let it tack up first prior to installing. Small bead on the head surface, small bead on the gasket. let it tack up for like 45 seconds then apply them together, let them sit for another 45 or so. Small bead of RTV on the top side of the gasket, small bead on the cam cover same procedure. Tighten down to whatever the manual spec is.
~10-15 ft.lbs or so?