Just for kicks I want to have a look at my tensioners directly.

Can anyone tell me a how to remove the valve covers?

I have the gaskets already. I just want to know if there are any surprises in the removing of the cover I should anticipate.

Thanks in advance

 

Your best bet is to refer to one of any number of the tensioner replacement writeups with pictures. Some of them go to the level of illustrating the first step ... removing the covers.

 

First thing is to remove the 6 9/32 bolts tht hold the coil covers on and set them aside. Then disconnect all the coil plugs and set the wires to the side as well. The remove the 8 coil bolts these too are 9/32s and pull straight out and check for oil on the bottoms if oil is present you will want to clean them both inside and out I like carb cleaner some like brake. If oil is present means that the spark plug hole gaskets are crap and need replacing. So if you do have oil take out all spark plugs you can clean em but id replace with new plugs and clean the holes properly and wipe out with a rag and a long screwdriver. Then you will remove the 2 8mm nuts on the top of the cover tht holds the injector wire bracket once off just slide it upwards and out of the way wont hurt anything. Then you will remove all the 10mm bolts tht surround the valve cover including 2 tht are in the coil valley. Once this is all done simply move the intercooler hoses aside and push the wire connectors out fo the valve cover and take it off. Installation is opposite have fun show us some pics

 

The above post gets the prize

 

Well folks,

Removing the valve covers was actually pretty easy. I recommend having a metric deep socket set handy. I found that there is enough space and as XJR-0220 said, there is enough compliance from the wiring and hoses that you can leave them all connected.

I put on new gaskets and changed my plugs with NGK iridium (had bosch, cough) while I was in there.

But, one problem.....orange plastic tensioners with small crack (too small to see in the close up photo, but there) Poo.

 

Ok then something is not right here from what I know, and thts not everything Im sad to say, but your car being an 02 should not have plastic tensioners. But guess its a darn good thing you looked makes ya wonder if your engine was replaced and you may have an older engine in a newer car. Maybe its nikasil block not lined (if its still running good thats a bonus not a bad thing like some like to think nikasil is better) Id pull the engine number and see what you can find out. Also did you remove the wire loom from the coil wires in the 2nd pic? this too leads me to believe something is amiss, well another project tht you can put in the books lol.

 

The car was made July of 2001, so I think it was the last of the plastic tensioners (lucky me).

I only moved the wire loom over the charge coolers, but left everything plugged in the whole time.

 

I was meaning tht the wires are bare and can be seen mine have a loom covering the wires