93, 4 Cyl, YJ Valve Cover Leaking = New Valve Cover?!

**Jim93YJ** · 09-07-2007, 01:11 PM

I am told by the stealership that I must buy a whole new valve cover for my 93, 4 Banger once it starts leaking....Apparently it has a built in gasket that cannot be replaced.

Can I not throw a bead of RTV over the built in gasket and call it done??

Thanks,

Jim

**Big-n-Broke-YJ** · 09-07-2007, 04:28 PM

new rubber gasket, some ultra grey rtv, and proper torque on the bolts and you'll be good to go unless the valve cover is warped or cracked.....

**rustywrangler** · 09-07-2007, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim93YJ

I am told by the stealership that I must buy a whole new valve cover for my 93, 4 Banger once it starts leaking....Apparently it has a built in gasket that cannot be replaced.

Can I not throw a bead of RTV over the built in gasket and call it done??

Thanks,

Jim

You my friend, need to RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN away from that stealership. If they told you for a lousy valve cover,

with bnb btw, what are they gonna tell you for something that is actually a serious problem????

Garrard8 · 09-07-2007, 06:04 PM

I dont know very much about the 2.5,but Felpro dosnt list a valve cover gasket for the 4cyl.Use some Ultra Black RTV and call it quits..

**rustywrangler** · 09-07-2007, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garrard8

I dont know very much about the 2.5,but Felpro dosnt list a valve cover gasket for the 4cyl.Use some Ultra Black RTV and call it quits..

That is because it is not a cork gasket. It is rubber and sets inside the cover before you install it. PITA IMHO

**Big-n-Broke-YJ** · 09-07-2007, 09:15 PM

autozone can get you a cork gasket and they work pretty decent most of the time... but the rubber is a breeeze to install and with that ultra grey rtv it will never leak unless you go and overtorque the bolts causing the gasket to tear and poke out the sides....

**Jim93YJ** · 09-12-2007, 12:51 PM

It sounds like the best bet then is for me to run a bead of RTV black or grey over the current molded rubber gasket??

Or should I take off the old rubber molded gasket and then put the RTV on??

Thanks!

**NEPhillyJeep** · 09-12-2007, 01:50 PM

NO! leave the old gasket on. I had a 2.5" with the famous plastic valve cover too. Mine leaked just like your. The thing is just like all the guys told you is DO NOT over torque the bolts.

Here is a trick with using sealant though and it actually says it right on the tube. Of course clean the two surfaces that you are sealing witl a clean rag and some cleaner to get all the oils and grease off of it. Then put you a good bead of sealant on both surfaces, but don't over do it. Then just finger tighten the bolts on the valve cover and let the sealent cure for about at least 4-5 hours. Last, torque down your bolts and put it all back together. (We do the same with helicopter parts that require selanat) If you do this I promise you that it won't leak unless you have a hair-line crack in your valve cover

**rustywrangler** · 09-12-2007, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VaBchReynolds

NO! leave the old gasket on. I had a 2.5" with the famous plastic valve cover too. Mine leaked just like your. The thing is just like all the guys told you is DO NOT over torque the bolts.

Here is a trick with using sealant though and it actually says it right on the tube. Of course clean the two surfaces that you are sealing witl a clean rag and some cleaner to get all the oils and grease off of it. Then put you a good bead of sealant on both surfaces, but don't over do it. Then just finger tighten the bolts on the valve cover and let the sealent cure for about at least 4-5 hours. Last, torque down your bolts and put it all back together. (We do the same with helicopter parts that require selanat) If you do this I promise you that it won't leak unless you have a hair-line crack in your valve cover

That there is good advice

**Jim93YJ** · 09-12-2007, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rustywrangler

That there is good advice

I could not agree more

Thanks for the great advice.

Jim

**NEPhillyJeep** · 09-12-2007, 03:33 PM

Anytime... Oh as for if you do have a hair-line crack, JCwhitney has the OEM valve covers for cheap. Me, I would get a metal one but I got way too much stuff to do first...

Have a good one...