Installing Spark Plug Tube Seals & Valve Cover Gaskets

[@rickr530]

Finally someone who knows what he's talking about. These are excellent tips and you wouldn't believe how many videos are out there showing the seals being installed upside-down, forgetting the RTV, smearing grease or RTV all over the cover gaskets, not lining up the gasket properly and pushing it in, etc. Here's a guy who knows what he is doing and is telling you the right way to not screw this job up.

[@DerekX]

How refreshing. A straight to the point guide with excellent information. You saved me a ton of stress.

[@patatepouell925]

This was (to me) the most useful video for this type of repair. I'm doing a 07 CR-V right now, and your tricks got my repairs easier. Thank you very much sir. 😎✌

[@milescolten5181]

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[@hunterjamal6970]

@Miles Colten Instablaster :)

[@milescolten5181]

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[@milescolten5181]

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[@hunterjamal6970]

@Miles Colten glad I could help :D

[@AceeTheChosen]

Shops charge you so much for such simple jobs you could learn and do on your own.

[@centralcoastcamper9631]

Thank you for clarifying which way to tap the seal in. My common sense told me the taper goes toward the spark plug sleeve but my trailer building experience told me to install it like in a wheel hub.

[@alfadoctor1]

I like your idea of using the soap to install the seals. I use Sly-Glide from Napa as it is silicone based and has a wide temperature range. I found out the hard way about the tube seals having the correct orientation. Keep the tips coming.

[@LordHolley]

hard part is not replacing the gaskets, the hard part is getting the covers out of the engine bay.....

[@AceSolomon94]

This is helpful for a 3.6L engine on a 2008 Saturn Vue, appreciate it!

[@TheAdventureAuto]

I bought a new valve cover gasket for my 05 Pontiac Vibe, and it came with 2 tube seals when it's a 4 cylinder. Shouldn't there be 4?

[@wattswilliam4500]

Thank you you make this look so simple and easy

[@MrNopehaha]

Yes, thank you! I used your video to prep my first time doing this on my prius. thanks!

[@MSHL007]

Thank you, Mark! Great info and tips! My 2008 Highlander V6 is leaking oil, minor, a drop or 2 on the garage floor. I took to a repair shop, the owner lifted up and visionally inspected and wrote a note to me "Front Valve Cover Gasket & VVT Seals". I am wondering why is front, what about the rear one? What is the reasonable cost to fix it, should I only fix the front or need to fix front and rear? Thank you so much in advance.

[@1984Brandon]

I've got a 2.0 Liter Engine on a 2001 Nissan SE Body Sentra. So I only replaced the valve seals, never tried the dish soap method though.

[@kali_yuga4140]

I got a 1.8L 2001 Nissan GXE Sentra and have to change the valve cover seals somehow..

[@davidaj73]

Would be great to see other cover gasket install where PCV valve is situated. Off memory GM changed the gasket as part of their PCV fix..

[@CTS-V]

Hi Mark. I have a question, I have seen repair guides calling for use of specific spark plug tube seal guide installation tool from Kent-Moore EN46101. I noticed you didn't use it. Did you find this unnecessary in your experience? I have my valve covers of and I'm contemplating getting the tool. What do you think? Thanks.

[@ericalynnposton8661]

The tube seals are pushing back out when I try to secure the valve cover. How do I stop this any tips?

[@TonySmith-H-Town_83.Detailer]

I got the same problem an leaking more then before I changed it

[@ericalynnposton8661]

@TonySmith-H-Town_83.Detailer I watched so many videos and one finally suggested using oil or grease around the fitting to slide it into place and that helped get the seals in..my problem ended up being the o-ring beneath the plug.

[@obamatrump5883]

What about the bottom of the spark plug tube? This shows replacing seals at the top end on cam..... but the lower end is still sticking inside the engine below the rocker arm. Don't these need to be changed to prevent oil in spark plugs/tubes? Thanks in advance.

[@RevelationAV]

The tubes in the 3.6 are factory installed into the head. They have an issue with porous heads and tubes leaking but the only way to fix it is to replace the entire head.

[@Skyrimjunke54]

I'm working on 2010 Sentra. And top of plug tubes are fill up with coolant. On number 1 and number 2 . Any advice

[@hlq2action310]

Hi!, Do you have to wait some time before putting back the valve cover, after you apply the silicone sealant on the 2 sections where timing cover meets the cylinder head? Even if the soap could help to put a gasket, i don't like the idea to have that soap which could pollute the engine oil.

[@rickr530]

No, you put the cover back on immediately. The RTV will bond with the gasket and form a better seal.

[@UberGeekFarmer]

I have a 2011 VW routan with Chrysler 3.6L VVT with a stuck socket, how do you remove a spark plug tube with plug and socket inside without damaging the cylinder head. Yes I was dumb did not know the difference between thin and thick wall 5/8" spark plug sockets and got it stuck. Help

[@tzilacatzin1600]

Can you please tell me what is the proper torque for the screws ?

[@sbinvllc2252]

I wish this vid showed how to remove the valve covers especially with regards to removing power steering reservoir and the bracket so that the cover will come off. Do you have or have you see a video that shows this for the 2009 GMC Acadia? I've been trying for days to get the *@** cover removed.

[@jamesking3248]

Torque specs and order would help can't find anywhere

[@jaycoraldi1639]

I got a 2009 Cadillac cts, what’s the torque and sequence?

[@buckct147]

Hello sir what type of silicone should you use to stop the leak from the timing area! Thanks in advance(Subscribed)

[@rlar27]

Nice Video Mark!!

[@mbroderick1984]

What is the sequence and torque spec (how is it done and how much lbs pressure? ) and is it the same for all cars? I have a hyundai accent 2008. Also. what's that propper drive tool called? What do you mean by support the valve cover? Wouldn't the even surface it's resting on be sufficient? I'm just trying to learn before I attempt the job myself for the first time.

[@recklessclient5304]

The bolt sequence / torque is different for almost every vehicle check the service manual for torque specs etc, You should never need a drive tool imo, Supporting the valve cover when putting in new seals should be very self explanatory, i know this is late but good luck, i hope everything goes/went well for you!

[@TonySmith-H-Town_83.Detailer]

I replace my value cover 3.6 impala still leaking oil an yes put Gaskets ring in backs

[@eamon3002]

Brilliant cheers for that👍

[@tonymartinez2031]

I don't think the seals work the same way they should, being installed wrong side?

[@ll_avail_ll9050]

Oki so why is the oils still going into my spark plugs if the seal is on the flat side

[@joerobideaux8366]

what silicone did you use for this?I have permatex ultra black gasket maker they recommended at Oreilly's I need to know what the correct one is to use

[@recklessclient5304]

Blue rtv!

[@recklessclient5304]

ultra black is mostly used when sealing lower intake manifolds, etc, atleast on most vehicles i have worked on

[@MiguelRuiz-qb5yk]

No fucking way you just hand pushed those seals in

[@thurm101]

Great.

[@MikeSmith-xf5ij]

So I have a plug hole filling up with oil so I'm going to assume that the spark plug seal is shot. My Question is, Do I need to pull the intake to change all of the valve cover gaskets?

[@GarageGurus]

Without knowing the specific vehicle you are working on, we can’t be sure if you will need to remove the intake to service your tube seals. We assume you are working on GM 3.6 (subject of this tip) and you will need to remove the upper intake to replace the seals. We did take a look at the OE service info and it looks like you can leave the lower intake in place to service the seals, in most cases. Hope this helps!

[@MikeSmith-xf5ij]

Garage Gurus I am replacing the Valve cover gaskets and tube seals. The tube seals don't appear to be leaking past the current seals. The number 3 plug has started to seriously miss fire and I noticed that when I replaced the spark plugs a couple of years ago that there was some oil entering that tube. This is the only video I could find that closely even represented my 05 Buick Lacrosse 3.6. Is it possible that oil is entering the bottom of the tube? If so, beings there are no o-rings or seals at the bottom of the tubes, what can I do to stop the oil from getting into the tube?

[@rayvasquez6821]

@@MikeSmith-xf5ij did you ever fix it?

[@MikeSmith-xf5ij]

@@rayvasquez6821 yes I did. Along with replacing the tube seals I also pulled the tubes and put a small amount of black RTV around the bottoms of the tubes as that's where they were leaking.

[@RevelationAV]

@@MikeSmith-xf5ij How did you remove the tubes? Everything that I have read on the 3.6 says that the tubes are factory installed and the whole head needs replaced to fix the lower tube leak.

[@abdireynaga4732]

How much footpounds are they torched in?

[@GarageGurus]

When installing the valve cover you should check the service information for the specific year/make vehicle to obtain the proper torque specifications. We did check a 2012 Impala with a 3.6 to provide this answer. To properly torque these covers you would tighten them to 89 inch pounds. Make sure you start with the center bolts and work your way to the outer bolts. Then make a second check of the bolts, using the same sequence, at 89 inch pounds again.

[@buckct147]

Hello sir what type of silicone should you use to stop the leak from the timing area! Thanks in advance(Subscribed)