Simple how-to: Replace Ford Focus rocker (valve) cover gasket, PCV failure #2

Easy DIY how to: replacing the valve/rocker cover gasket on the 2L 16V Zetec engine.
This was caused by a collapsing PCV hose, the replacement of which is the subject of video #1: • Simple how-to: Replace...
You will need:
* Rocker/valve cover gasket, preferably genuine Ford part to match the specific engine
* Sockets (8 mm) and socket wrench, and spanners
* Ideally: torque wrench to set 7 Nm final torque
* Flashlight
* Clean rags, shop towel, microfiber
* Brake clean
* Maybe: screwdriver
* Maybe: small mirror
* Optional: high temperature anti-seize for corrosion-happy external threads and nuts

[@richardmontano2701]

Thanks! I had a terrible leak and saw your video and realized how easy it was to replace the gasket. Super simple.

[@J_A_M_E_92]

Video was very helpful. I had a hole blow out in the same spot as your hose was colapsing on the backside. I watched your other video on the pcv valve replacement. My valve cover is leaking oil and i didnt know that a bad pcv valve can cause that. So thanks for the info it was very informative and you did a great job filming it as well.

[@bobbytompkins4998]

Im going to tackle it....I have to say you Englishmen are as cool as the other side of the pillow...Your Professionalism and Grace are Tip Top...Thank You

[@rjkulman8990]

the British use of certain adjectives make the most mundane auto fixes humorous, job well explained and done ( btw, get a torque wrench....all DIY people need it)

[@oldschoolpaul73]

If only all videos on KZbin were half this good..

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

The stock tubular header is amazing.

[@mgirl30]

Am having a new gasket installed this weekend by the mechanic who sold me the car. Really neat to see for myself the work/procedure that will be done. And also, to now know exactly what the gasket looks like/demystified! Great video/really enjoyed it. Thanks so much!

[@mikemoren532]

Considering I just replaced my PCV valve and hoses today and found the short little elbow piece that connects the valve to the metal tube almost completely plugged with oily crap, and considering that I also have some oil coming out around my valve cover, I think I need to do this too...dang. But, I'm very glad I have this video to follow. Very well done. Excellent video and sound quality as well as narration. Thank you for taking the time to make this video!

[@mariaconcepcionlicardiquir1310]

Mike Moren

[@Luigi13]

Excellent explanation and process of the work done. I also noticed how clean the engine compartment is. Well done.

[@Jeremy16471]

Wow the engine bay looks so clean!

[@CraigsDIY]

Looks can be deceptive

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

Love his detail of using SS bolts with anti-seize.

[@bobbytompkins4998]

Your Videos are so Professional.Thank You for the Great Advice and Help All the way threw repair...I feel in charge...Thanks Again..

[@chk1chk2]

AWESOME and very descriptive video. One of the best I have seen. Thanks!!

[@cq44b]

Thanks for a very useful video. About to tackle the same job tomorrow on my daughters 14yr old focus. We bought the car a week ago but only discovered the leak when I saw oil on the driveway, otherwise the car seems ok for an oldie.

[@fabyrbl8177]

this applies to the 1.8 16v zetec too, these engines look pretty much identical apart from displacement

[@woodythegreat87]

This is really good because I didn't even think about root cause

[@berrrygr]

Just what i was looking for. I need to do this job as well and you were very clear and concise. It will make doing this a breeze.

[@justinraymond6431]

Big thanks!!! I happened to have better luck getting the rear clamp off from underneath the car with it on ramps. It seemed to give me a little more ribbon. Thanks again!

[@justinraymond6431]

Room*

[@justinraymond6431]

Holy crap. This comment was for the other video of replacing the PCV hose

[@icedojo]

amazing explanation! very calm and objetive.

[@MarcelNaberoTavares]

Thank you very much for helping me out here in Brazil.

[@andyostertag]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Very descriptive and thorough. Good day.

[@turbo3492]

There is every chance the new gasket will leak.What you should have done prior to refitting the valve cover and is specified by Ford,is to use RTV sealer to place four blobs of the sealer right at the very front of the gasket line where casting starts for the cam belt pully's.This is a 90 degree rise from the flat area where the gasket fits to the pully housing casting,the new rubber gasket will not seal a 90 degree change in direction very well.Hope this helps you out.

[@Fettoccini]

Awesome video! Not only did this guide me through changing the gasket but helped me identify that the pcv breather hose had collapsed, too! Now I can change it before it busts another gasket

[@DashCamSamVids]

This is perfect for what I needed help with. Thanks so much!

[@remasher]

Thanks for the very high quality video.

[@hootieg7139]

Awesome Descriptive Video! Love that car, Super Clean!

[@JasperBzone]

I need this guy to be my neighbor.

[@thomasknight7734]

JasperBzone same lol

[@TheRooster15]

Awesome Video and very helpfull. Thank you very much!👋👋👋👌

[@1987RaPsCaLLioN]

Very helpful and informative, well narrated too - thank you

[@surfpete31]

I have the 1.8 Zetec version and there was no need to take off the difficult heat shield, just the two nuts securing the small shield and hold the pipe bracket.....lucky me!!! Presumably the 2.0 litre heat shiled are attached together?? Mine is for UK. Hope this helps someone.

[@bristolguy100]

ahhhhh thank you very much a saw a split in that pipe , thank you for uploading.

[@paulwhitby1737]

well explained and easy to understand thanks!

[@MrAvant123]

I notice you used no sealant on the gasket. I agree with this because with clean mating surfaces and a new and rubber gasket - not over tightened you shouldnt need any !

[@horaciomarceloalbornoz9732]

Muchas gracias me sirvió muchísimo tu video

[@scamp-ti8dl]

amazing description did mine a couple of times with new gaskets but still leaked a couple of places following your video detail and hey presto no leaks thank fxck noticed you were careful not to over tighten rocker bolts guess that's the key great video mate thanks a lot....

[@Karin6509]

Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic!!!! This is too good to get for free, but I'll take it. Now I'm off to have fun. :D

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

Fel-Pro is a $21USD excellent way to go.

[@Viridiana1056]

Gracias desde mexico me ayudo mucho ',buen video gracias

[@akthewhomp7123]

So I replaced my pcv hose due to big tear in old one, now my car is won’t even idle before it dies. Would hold idle but rough on old hose with 1” hole. I’m going to change pcv valve now but any other suggestions? Already done upstream/downstream O2 sensors, plugs & wires, air filter cleaned throttle body and gas treatment/fuel additive. 2000 Ford Focus

[@thiago8]

What if I have a leak after doing the job? Should I need to instal a new one or just redo the tighten sequence? It is a very small leak that I can hardly see or feel the oil (in the front edge of the timing belt, right in the side of the bolt). There is no leaking in the spark plug holes. Thanks for this tutorial.

[@CraigsDIY]

No need to replace the gasket if it's new, either try re-doing the tightening and check the torque, otherwise take it off again and give everything a good clean before putting back together. Check the leak area for the reason, scratched head or cracked cover, damaged rubber, dirt or glazing.

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

I use Castrol too, made by British Petroleum😇 In my case full synthetic, high-mileage 5-20.

[@atye04]

Where's first video. Is silly heat shield custom? That's different from American model its a full thing around the header and if you leave it off the plastic valve cover melts down exactly where your heat shield is.

[@iggynub]

Thanks, internet historian.

[@EviaBnB]

I need help please. I have a 2001 1.8 petrol focus, zetec black top. I can't find the egr valve to clean it.

[@digdugbingo]

Question? I replaced pcv valve and collapsed hose, but I'm still having positive pressure in the crankcase. Any advice or suggestions?

[@no_pasaran213]

Awesome video. Thanks.

[@jpryan6594]

you're a legend!

[@frankmontez6853]

I've 2016 Focus SE 2.0L leaking oil. My PCV looks clean no damage. Wouldn't it be plugged up leaking oil this PCV valve? How long it took you ?

[@richardking6066]

Crankcase pressure? Surely there is a breather pipe bringing fresh air from the air cleaner? In which case it would not be possible for any pressure to build-up. I wonder if you tested the old PCV valve? That being stuck closed would certainly tend to cause the collapse of the pipe, I would guess. BTW I also wonder if the insulation on the PCV pipe might be there to try and keep the gasses warm, reducing condensation of water in the pipe? I know on my car, the PVC pipe - which is quite long, is very well insulated along it's whole length.

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

Awfully clean for Jolly Old England. Rain , rust , road grime. How is it so clean ?

[@st170-owner2]

Very helpful

[@dannyrc223]

Good video thank you

[@dannyrc223]

Im allways looking into doing repairs on my car specially when the mechanic i took my car to took the piss wit over pricing the parts and the job.

[@jonathanniccolls1592]

Great video! Could you give the type of heat shield bolt, thread count, or part # for viewer replacement? Thanks!

[@CraigsDIY]

Do you mean the exhaust manifold shield, or the little shield on the cover top. If the former, I don't remember, the easiest thing to do is take the old bolt(s) to a fastener place and just ask for stainless replacements. If the latter it's some bespoke part.

[@jonathanniccolls1592]

Yes, the heat shield bolts. Thank you for your quick response! I'll do just that. They rust out badly! Stay OTT! It keeps the bugger running!!!

[@ABDOMohamed-sr3vh]

good

[@sparkeli4513]

So there is no need for any sealant with the gasket? I watched a video for a different car (specific to the same car that I have) and they use a sealant but from this video it isn't necessary?

[@CraigsDIY]

Not on this engine. Sometimes there is a joint between head and front cover that needs a small blob of sealant to help the gasket. If you don't have the same engine then this video is not specifically useful, you need to find the right workshop procedure from the manufacturer.

[@jacobkarena7598]

hey bro are you from nz looks like a nz rego? where and how much did you get the gasket? i got a price from parts master for $109

[@CraigsDIY]

We bought it genuine from John Andrew Ford. Not cheap as you might expect, you might get it cheaper from the US if you know the part # for sure. I wanted to be able to return it easily. I'm wary of the aftermarket ones, maybe good maybe not, for the sake of a few extra $ can't be bothered risking it.

[@vidyamancer7135]

>Spends extra money on OEM Ford gasket >Doesn't get a torque wrench for $20 Lol. :D

[@CraigsDIY]

Shhh. All I'm saying is it ain't leaking yet!

[@jaimeazevedo33]

hello pobrem my focus 1.8 16 v 2004 help

[@RabeaHussain]

thanks ,, would it fit the 1.6 focus too, they look similar .. my mechanic told me to get plugs gasket too, is there any ? or its just one piece ? whats the part number? thank you

[@CraigsDIY]

I can't tell you the part # for a different engine, look it up using the correct model & year. Plugs gasket is part of the gasket shown in this video, all one piece, but commonly they are separate (but nonetheless will come in the same package, same part #). Have a look at my recent videos for example with the Duratec 2.0 for example.

[@RabeaHussain]

@@CraigsDIY i already bought and installed they are the same

[@zm2y611]

I don't know if you will be able to help me but when I removed the spark plug connectors, they were covered in rust dust, and when I looked inside the holes, there was rust everywhere. Also, when I tried to remove the rocker cover, it was impossible, it didn't moved even when I punched it gently from the bottom with a hammer (and yes, I made sure every screw were out). Could it be that the previous owner removed the cover (maybe to change the timming belt) and put it back without replacing the seal, which caused corrosion ? Also, if you have any tips to remove it, I'll gladly appreciate them (I'm a bit scared of punching it with a hammer, I don't want to brake it)

[@CraigsDIY]

Rust on plugs is not unusual I believe, although if they're really bad you might want to replace them anyway at the same time. Use dielectric grease when replacing the leads so as to guard electrics against corrosion. The cover is plastic obviously and the head is alloy so won't rust, at most a bit of oxidization but the gasket and cover obviously are routinely covered in oil so won't corrode inside. As to removing a stuck cover, try working a flat blade in under one corner, then twist it to lever up the plastic. Be very gentle and careful not to damage the head. Once you crack the gasket seal in one area, it will usually come away. I focused around the oil cap hole as this gives a useful handle to pull on. Alternatively, run a hot air gun around its edge to try to soften it up.

[@zm2y611]

Thanks ! I'll try this ;)

[@d.m.c.2963]

Please may I buy that car from you?

[@selwynkirstenfeldt1043]

Do you have a link for the gasket?

[@yomamasbackhand]

do you need a sealant for the gasket?

[@CraigsDIY]

You shouldn't.

[@yomamasbackhand]

@@CraigsDIY Any suggestions on how to dissolve the sealant without damaging the valve cover? The last mechanic that did mine used a silicone gasket maker and it looks glued shut

[@CraigsDIY]

Mine was sealed as well (that's the red stuff you can see in places). Sometimes 'the last guy' will bodge the job by using sealant to fix a leak rather than replacing the gasket properly. On some heads it seems necessary, e.g. if there is a metal joint that needs sealing to assist the gasket. But on this car the gasket should be enough. It will pull off, you just need to be careful. Use a hot air gun or run the engine a little to warm things up.

[@yomamasbackhand]

@@CraigsDIY You're right I think it was a botched job but at the time I had no idea of what to look for. I got some 3m adhesive from the parts store. the guys said it may work, atleast thats what I'm hoping. There's alot on there.

[@CraigsDIY]

If you mean scrape it off, get a decent plastic scraper. You can use degreaser or brake clean to help get residue off the aluminium but be careful not to get any inside the engine. It will be a monotonous job regardless, sadly.

[@jacobthorpe8985]

I hate it when people call them spark plug connectors. They are ignition coils. Also it doesn't really make any difference whether the gasket is OEM or not. They all do the same thing. The OEM gasket is no different to the others, it's just got a FORD sticker slapped on the packaging and they charge you a premium price. That's literally the ONLY difference.