Hello to all, I'm new to this forum I recently purchased a 1996 XJS that looks very clean under the hood. While changing my spark plugs, #3 had oil on the plug. I purchase a set of seals and the cover gasket. Permatex PermaShield Fuel Resistant Gasket Dressing 85420, for the valve cover & Permatex Hight-Temp Red RTV Silicone Gasket Maker 81160 for the boss seals. I noticed that the current seals and gasket had no additional adhesive? The current valve cover gasket looks good and was not leaking and came off still attached to the cover, do I still need to replace it? Should I add some Permatex to it? Reading the forum I noticed that Permatex was used to help seal the gaskets and seals. Any advise and direction will be very helpful. Thanks

I too have a 96 XJS 4L.

I replaced the oil seal as is no goop!
As long as you have the cover open I would replace the gasket.

If it doesn't look or feel too bad (Brittle) You might just put down some sealant (Don't go crazy). Give it time to dry before driving. Lock down the cover screws in a cross hatch pattern starting from front of the engine left to firewall back right, top right bottom left and so forth working towards the middle. Make sure not to over torque, (Check torque Specs)

Softball60/Paul

Thanks for the great advice, I will do as you suggested. and Thanks again

i did some a very long time ago, im pretty sure the gaskets were a molded rubber so no sealant to be used, half moons on the ends would get a little squeeze of rtv in the corners, valve cover gaskets would probably be re usable if there still ok but they are probably dryed out quite a bit by now i would replace them if your already there.

The valve cover was repainted, and the gasket seems to still be in very good shape, maybe I will change it since I have the new one on hand.

Thanks

Thanks for the additional info, that explains why some people use the dressing for their gasket. I hope to put this back together this week.