I'm having to do the dreaded valve cover gasket job, and I'm stuck at the "remove oil indicator and tube" step. I removed the only nut shown in the manual, and I have not been able to get the tube to budge. I'm concerned at yanking too hard or breaking something.

Does anyone have insight or guidance on this?

Thanks!

 

LEAVE THE DIPSTICK IN THE TUBE. (it will help locate the tube into the hole upon assy.)
I use a slide hammer with a 'hook' to dislodge the tube. Hook onto the metal tab and pull straight up.

 

I did a dirty, and cut a slot in the holding ring enough so it was able to be pulled away enough.

I didn't have Motorcarmans'advise at that time.
Rob

 

I see how cutting a slot and bending the tab will get the tube out of the way enough to clear the fastener.

 

I cut a slot in the fastener as well, the reason being I didn't have confidence in my ability to reseat the oil tube.

In retrospect, I didn't think this job was that bad but it definitely requires a mix of 1/4" drive extensions (both short and long such as 20"), flex joints and U-joints. One thing that helped was wrapping painters tape (not a lot) around a U-joint so that it would still bend but would hold in place when I lined up on a bolt. Have a magnet on hand, I recall going fishing for a dropped bolt.

If you do have difficulty with access against the side of the engine bay, there is one more trick. I don't remember having to do this, but if you undo both engine mount bolts and (carefully) use a well positioned jack (which isn't the factory recommended method, that method raises the engine from above with a support bar), you can raise the engine an inch or two.

Of course with the valve covers off, inspect the tensioners and if your spark plugs are old it's a great time to change them, as valve covers off gives more room.

When you go to put everything back together, use bungee cords to hold wires and cables out of the way. I also used gray RTV to hold the gaskets in place so they would not move on me during the install.

But on the list of design elements that I wish Jaguar engineers had done differently (the biggest being, why thread bolts for the A/C and power steering bracket into the timing cover?), having the oil tube attached to the valve cover bolt is definitely on it.

 

Thanks everyone!