Getting ready to replace the gaskets tomorrow evening. I read on another forum that a specific silicon sealant is needed to attach to gaskets? Also said there is a sequence for torquing the bolts back down? Any input? Also read that the throttle body has to come off for the driver's side, will I need to replace the gasket when i put it back on? Just want to make sure I have everything ready. Thanks.

 

What year, what engine.

No specific sealant, I used a top quality gasket sealant and was fine. Cam covers do require a torques sequence and they can be found in the cam chain tensioner write up. It's a jpeg I think. Printed it off for myself a while back.

 

Photo's, write up. timings, special tools, everything in a report please
Mark

 

It's an '02 with 4.0. I will try searching for the cam chain tensioner topic and see if I can find it. Thanks. I hope I'm not getting over my head with this.

 

I hateto keep bugging everybody, but I don't want to screw this up. I haven't been able to find to torquing sequence for the valve covers. Thanks.

 

If you can't locate the PDF via google that has it, ask your dealer to print one of for you. The nice lady at the parts counter has done this for me.

Honestly, I torqued mine per spec but with my other cars I just tighten in a zig zag pattern a bit at a time and I've never had a leak. Don;t let it stop you from finishing the job, it's not CRITICAL to torque it dead on, it's not a cylinder head, you just want the gasket to live and not leak.

 

Got the new gaskets put on this evening. Not sure if a coil was bad after all. No oil in the area and the boots looked fine. There was oil in the spark plug cylinder in the front and rear plugs on the driver's side. The only bad news was that I lost valve cover bolts in the process from the driver's side. Can I use a similar bolt or do I need to get one from a used motor. Any other makes (Ford, Lincoln)that will substitute. Thanks. I would not have even attempted this without info on the forums.

 

Ok I found the pdf in my files at home that details the torque sequence.

enjoy

 

Thanks for the pdf. Now I just need to find two bolts to replace the ones I lost. Anybody got any suggestions that would fit from a different engine, might be easier to find. Thanks.

 

Might just be easier to take one off to the local fastener dealer and have them match it. Unless it's one from the covers that has the threaded extension. tought o match those.

I think their M6x40?

 

FINISHED!!

Ifound the lostbolts in the driveway about 10' from garage door.Bolted everything together replaced gaskets, coils and plugs.All for under $300 and about 5 hours work, best of all it worked.My only suggestionfor anybody elseis to remove the bolts completely from the cover before pulling the cover out of the engine.I was afraid to pull on them tomuch because I thought theywere permanently attached. That would havesaved about an hour searching and hoping they didn't fall into the engine. Thanks for all the help.