Replacing Valve Cover Gaskets & Spark Plug Tube Seals 03-07 Honda Accord V6 (J-Series Engine)

This video is made as a guideline to show you how to change the valve cover gaskets and spark plug tube seals on a 03-07 Honda Accord V6 (J30 Engine - applies to all J-series engines).
I hope it was helpful!
Parts used in this video:
- Valve Cover Gaskets and Spark Plug Tube Seal Kit - APEX AVC156S: www.rockauto.c...
- Castrol Edge 5w-20 High Mileage Oil: www.amazon.com...
- Oil Filter: www.amazon.com...
Tools used in this video:
- 3/8” Deep 6-Point Sockets: www.harborfrei...
- 3/8” Ratchet: www.harborfrei...
- Socket Extensions: www.harborfrei...
- 6mm Allen wrench: www.amazon.com...
- Silicone Paste: www.amazon.com...
- 3/8” Torque Wrench: www.harborfrei...
- ½ Bauer Impact Gun: www.harborfrei...
- 3 Ton Low Profile Jack: www.harborfrei...
- 6 Ton Jack Stands: www.harborfrei...
- Flathead Screwdriver: www.harborfrei...
- Pry Bar Set: www.harborfrei...
- Rubber Mallet: www.harborfrei...
Please note that I am not a professional mechanic, nor am I saying that you must do exactly what I say in this video. Perform these repairs at your own risk! Safety first ;)

[@TheBillNixon]

Just finished replacing the head cover gaskets and spark plug gaskets by watching your video. Thank you! Well done! This is my son’s car. Bought used and we’re holding it together with duct tape and wire ties. 😅 He’s still got oil leaks but at least this part is done. We had a blinking check engine light and the engine was misfiring. Pulled the codes and it was cylinder number one. Started by replacing spark plugs but found oil in the coil of what looks like the 2nd cylinder. The car didn’t seem to be misfiring but the blinking engine light is still there. Hopefully it will reset. Thanks again!

[@AutoFixYT]

Yeah sounds like a lot of issues all at once haha. You got this! The oil in the tubes was definitely an issue but sounds like you fixed that. New spark plugs is also a good idea. The coil could have been damaged from the oil, or maybe it was just its time. The easiest way to find out is to swap a known good coil for a bad coil, and see if the misfire follows. So with a scan tool, monitor the live misfire data. If cyl 2 misfires, take thaf coil and put it on another cylinder that is good. If the misfire follows the coil, you have a bad coil. If the misfire stays, you either have bad wiring to the coil, or it's a spark plug issue, or an injector issue, or a mechanical issue in that cylinder.

[@buddhaprince6773]

how’s the car? did you find out what the problem was? i have this exact problem right now..

[@TheBillNixon]

I ended up swapping all the coils and that fixed the issue. Thanks for the support!

[@johnfleming1476]

Thank you for adding the actual torque values. I replaced my spark plugs and renewed the coil springs and rube seals at the same time. (160,000 miles). four seals actually had tears in them. The two dry ones were intact. This is the best video on this subject I found. Thank-you.

[@AutoFixYT]

Thank you!!

[@longshucksgaming]

the first video that didnt start after the part I was specifically looking for when I searched "how to replace j series head gasket" seriously, every other video started at the gasket application as if I just magically knew how to get to that step

[@AutoFixYT]

Well although this is a not a head gasket replacent but rather a valve cover gasket, I do like to show the process start to finish. Thanks!

[@SamBone80]

Thank you for doing this W/O having to remove the coolant lines.

[@johnniehall3692]

Thanks for the great video as I would have been lost without it. Took me a total of 6 hours. I'm in my 70s.. A lot more complicated than replacing the gaskets on my 327 Chevy back in the day 🤣 Best regards, sir 👍👍👏🙏

[@AutoFixYT]

I'm glad the video helped! And to think that this car was actually easy, I've done way way more difficult valve cover gaskets where so much stuff is in the way, takes 30 minutes just to get the wires and hoses out of the way. Regardless, at least it's fixed now!

[@Maplecook]

Doing this job tomorrow on my friend's Accord. Thanks for this tutorial, brother!

[@lawnchair76]

Awesome video. Been a long time since I've replaced a valve gasket and never on a Honda. Going to be tackling my son's car in a few days when parts arrive.

[@AutoFixYT]

It's easy, don't worry about it. Just make sure it's all sealed up and snugged up and you'll be good to go!

[@juancabriales849]

Thank you , I just did my valve cover gaskets with the guidance of your video😊

[@AutoFixYT]

Awesome!

[@oskahboy25]

I don’t usually comment but this is a fantastic vid very thorough.

[@AutoFixYT]

Thank you!

[@JC-cs2pr]

i be doing this to my wife honda this weekend 👌🏻 did a great job thanks for this video

[@AutoFixYT]

Thank you, good luck!

[@SamBone80]

Thank you so much! I followed your video and got the job done. Now onto the headlights video!

[@AutoFixYT]

Thanks!

[@eliazarjimenezc5546]

Buen trabajo porque nos explica exactamente paso a paso y nos da una buena orientacios para poder hacerlo en nuestro carro nosotros mismos THANK YOU

[@jonathanrivera8598]

Thank you so much! it video is extremely helpfull.

[@brettmccarthy7639]

thanks for this detailed run through, know I can be confident to do this myself. Thank you.

[@AutoFixYT]

Thank you!

[@leroywhitekiller7631]

Awesome video, thanks. I'm going to change my gaskets this weekend. Wish me luck

[@AutoFixYT]

Thanks! And good luck!

[@Texaca]

...to put those seals on the bolt studs, the new Rubber gasket is easier to put back on, when you separate the Rubber from the roumd washer. I learned this the hard way..

[@AutoFixYT]

Yeah it wasn't fun

[@antoniowade3318]

Bro, you did a wonderful job, I really like your attention to detail. I'm thinking about buying a coupe like this one. $2,995/ 187000

[@AutoFixYT]

Thank you! And go for it, they're awesome cars!

[@GustavoLopez-ff3dj]

This is what I'm trying to do this weekend Also good video 👍

[@AutoFixYT]

Good luck!

[@dzachalski]

Very nice video - I wanna do this service myself pretty soon ! Ty for the help

[@alexnutcasio936]

Excellent video BUT that's a LOT of work and struggle just to replace two valve cover gaskets. In the old days, 8-10 bolts and 10 minutes and the job was done. How long did it take you total to do both?? Looks like hours??

[@AutoFixYT]

Off camera I can probably get them both done in 1h30min maybe 2h. It's not the old days anymore haha This is an easy one compared to many modern day engines though. I've seen ones that you would never believe how difficult it can be

[@devonroberts4561]

Thank you for that video

[@AutoFixYT]

You're welcome

[@HisNameIsRobertPaulson01]

I have a 2003 Honda Accord with the v6 and I don't know how to keep my battery from corroding. I've cleaned them, put Vaseline on the post, changed the terminals, replaced the ground wire, replaced the battery and after all that, my battery still corrodes. Other cars I've owned in the past never corroded as bad as my Accord.

[@AutoFixYT]

Well the best you can do is make sure that everything is clean which it seems like you have already done. Next make sure your charging system is working properly. Corrosion is normal, but if it happens often it might be due to overcharging or undercoating of the battery. So if your alternator voltage regulator is giving too much voltage, you may have corrosion on the positive post. If the ground isn't strong or the alternator isn't providing enough voltage, you'll get corrosion on the negative post. So after cleaning, have the system load tested by a professional. If everything checks out... can't really help you there haha sorry! But hopefully this helped

[@DashCamMoments128]

Hi, great video. Is the front and rear gasket the same? Or are they different shape? I’m having trouble confirming this. Thanks!

[@AutoFixYT]

They should follow the same outline but they are a mirror image of each other. So one will not fit their opposite side. But if you were to lay them over each other you should see them follow the same path. Hopefully this didn't confuse you more lol

[@gafurrzogaj1426]

Just what I needed thx 😊

[@AutoFixYT]

Awesome, I'm glad the video helped!

[@danielurrea9091]

Perfect video

[@AutoFixYT]

Thank you!

[@sklay78]

Good video. I'm fixin to do the same job on my car.

[@AutoFixYT]

Thank you! Good luck on your repair!

[@joelplacencia3665]

Thank you for this video it really helped

[@AutoFixYT]

I'm glad the video helped!

[@davedei3955]

Thank you for this great guide! I have an annoying random misfire rumbling during idle, which is why I'm doing this procedure. Any thing else I could try while the engine is open like this?

[@AutoFixYT]

Nothing else internally unless you want to adjust your valves. Just make sure you know what you're doing. Other than that make sure you check your spark plugs and coils, and your IAC valve. Make sure they all work right.

[@synovium]

What was the actual time it took you to do this job? Also, since you prefilled the oil filter, what was the amount of oil you added? Also, did you use Genuine Honda valve cover gasket and tube seals or aftermarket?

[@AutoFixYT]

I think without filming i can have it done in 2 hours

[@lecongtri5113]

You're doing a nice job bro, very much useful, love this model of accord, I've just replace this gasket on my 1992 accord for some months, just subscribe to support your channel

[@AutoFixYT]

Thank you!

[@anwaraantaar5908]

I failed to see a sequence in loosening and tightening of bolts.. I would like to know the sequence plz.. great vid btw..

[@AutoFixYT]

Thanks! There isn't really a sequence for tightening valve covers. I like to start from the middle and work my way towards the outer edges.

[@nelsonjaneiro5543]

God job thank you for the video know i could do mine👍

[@AutoFixYT]

Thank you!

[@manuelquintero6141]

Excellent job body, very helpful keep it up 👍

[@AutoFixYT]

Thank you!

[@ocarrillo2722]

good job....

[@AutoFixYT]

Thanks

[@ONeal397]

Intake is pretty clean for 250k+ miles

[@AutoFixYT]

It is! I was suprosed too but this is a healthy engine that was well taken care of

[@millennialmillennium1187]

THE WORD SNUG! SNUG SNUG ! ROOOOOOOLZZZZ :)))

[@ami2514]

How much time does it take to change the value cover gasket and spark plugs

[@AutoFixYT]

I think without filming i can do it in an hour and half, thats if I am picky and clean everything perfectly. Just a quick job probably an hour or less.

[@mustache2295]

Did this and I think I overtightened the bolts(the ones with the rubber seal on them) for the valve cover. I believe I over estimated how tight snug was :(((

[@AutoFixYT]

Well if you didn't break anything then just loosen them up and re-tighten them, and you should be good to go!

[@raulinazario9462]

💪

[@sa8175-x2g]

Hi Autofix. May I ask the reason for this job? Excessive oil consumption and oil leak through the seals?

[@AutoFixYT]

Yes, oil was leaking everywhere.

[@lawnchair76]

Cylinder misfires for me. I had oil in the spark plugs meaning the seals were bad which needed replaced. Same parts to replace in this video.

[@sa8175-x2g]

@@lawnchair76 thanks

[@sa8175-x2g]

@@AutoFixYT thank you 🙏

[@user-ro3yz3ko1p]

Do you have to do both sides?! Just my front middle spark plug is leaking oil.

[@AutoFixYT]

Yes, do all of them.

[@Coco-qz7fn]

question, sorry for my stupidity, how do you know if you even need to do this?

[@AutoFixYT]

No worries, it's a good question! Knowing when it's time for a new valve cover gasket is actually pretty simple to determine. There are two main areas you want to check. Both will involve oil leaks. First off, you want to check the outside of the valve cover to see if any oil is leaking externally from that valve cover gasket. Inspect the front and the rear valve covers thoroughly. Right where the valve cover meets the rest go the engine you'll see a leak, if it's leaking. The other place you want to inspect is inside the spark plug tubes. Remove the engine cover, remove the ignition coils, and see if there is any oil in the tube where the spark plug sits. There shouldn't be any at all, should be dry and clean. To do this properly, you'd want to inspect every single cylinder, so remove all 6 coils one at a time. If you have a leak anywhere that I mentioned, you need a new valve cover gasket set and you want to replace both side gaskets as well as the spark plug tube seals and all the grommets for the bolts. If you have no leak, you don't need this gasket.

[@Geeniegreenbean]

Just out of curiosity, what happens when spark plug tub seals are put in upside down?

[@AutoFixYT]

They might not seal properly or they could wear prematurely. Also the seal retaining spring that is on the inside of those seals could fall inside the engine which is not good.

[@HAZARDWILL]

Hello 👋🏽 I have a 07 accord 2.4 in trying to replace the manifold gaskets, the one on the bottom seems easy n simple to do but the upper one seems difficult to get to. So my question is do I need to remove the fuel rail n pull forward so did I can get to that gasket? Any suggestions will help thanks 🙏🏼 n god blessed.

[@AutoFixYT]

Honestly I am not sure how those engines are set up, so I can't help you... sorry! But what I would do is just try to see what's in the way. If the fuel rail is in rhe way, then it might need to be moved or even removed. Just keep in mind that removing fuel injector O rings can cause them not to seal up again so you may have fuel leaks. So I suggest new O rings if you need to pull the injectors. But if you unbold the fuel rail that usualu gives you a little bit of movement.

[@HAZARDWILL]

@@AutoFixYT thank you 🙏🏼 will do. You have a blessed day.

[@jakepaoletti8646]

My new gasket doesn’t have those two little notches. Does it matter?

[@AutoFixYT]

If it fits then no. If it doesn't fit then yes it does matter

[@algon6599]

I need to do this to my car,I’m not looking forward to doing the rear one such a tight fit 🙁

[@AutoFixYT]

It's a tight fit but much more room than most cars out there that pack a big engine in a small engine bay. Shouldn't be too too bad of a job.

[@willpage79]

How much you think to replace both valve gasket cover?

[@AutoFixYT]

I have no idea becauese every mechanic has a different labor rate, and I don't know what brand parts they use. So you'll have to call your mechanic for a quote. Usually they can give you a price over the phone.

[@Elmoro12345678910]

Hi do I have to drain the engine oil and do I have to take off the Intake? Thanks

[@AutoFixYT]

You have to do what I did in the video. After replacing valve cover gaskets it is always recommended to change the oil and filter but in the end it's up to you.

[@ami2514]

How much does it cost to replace the value cover gasket

[@AutoFixYT]

Depends on where you buy the parts from. Shop around. I recommend rockauto.com

[@ami2514]

I meant to ask what's the labor cost for the job?

[@AutoFixYT]

@@ami2514 Oh I see. Well it'll depend on the rate that the sjop operates at but I don't think it should be over $200. But like I said, could be more if the shop is expensive.

[@ami2514]

Thank you for responding keep up the great videos

[@JediSawyer]

Should have mentioned that if you disconnected your battrty that you should do the idle reset procedure for the computer which iz described in another youtube video

[@AutoFixYT]

You should have to do an idle reset if you disconnect the battery, unless you have it disconnected for days maybe. All you should lose are your radio presets.

[@leonarddesrochers4390]

the struggle is real. haha

[@AutoFixYT]

Yup... Thanks for watching!

[@paulhetherington2867]

No lower tube seals?

[@AutoFixYT]

No

[@shauntrafter4957]

I have a leak coming from the small plastic piece in front of the dipstick hole. Anyone know what that's called so I can order a part/find torque specs?

[@AutoFixYT]

That's the camshaft position sensor. Usually they have an O ring. Get yourself a new O ring, take the old sensor out, make sure everything is nice and clean, swap the O ring, stick it back in, clean up the gunk that the leak caused, and off you go.

[@jayzee9273]

I have this same leak and everywhere I search for crankshaft position sensor (05 accord v6) shows something different. Do you have link to the o rings?

[@AutoFixYT]

@@jayzee9273 The camshaft and crankshaft position sensors are two different things. The crank sensor is behind the harmonic balancer right in the timing belt area. It takes a reading off of a sprocket on the crank. The camshaft position sensor is up at the valve cover and takes a reading off the camshafts. What you can do is go to your local parts store and buy a universal assortment of O-rings, they surely have boxes of them. One of them will surely fit.

[@jayzee9273]

I believe Shaun’s question is to the PCV valve. I have a similar leak in that location which the valve has 2 O rings. Or replace it for around $40 simple bolt on part.

[@RichyN25]

Every video for this "gonna do the front only because the rear is the same, but also a lot more annoying"

[@AutoFixYT]

But I still show the whole procedure of the rear 😉

[@raulinazario9462]

Hey brother i didn't get the number for the torque you say 2 different numbers

[@AutoFixYT]

Well I said the in-lbs measurement first, then converted it to ft-lbs, and the reason i went from 8.6 ft-lbs to 9 ft-lbs is because my torque wrench doesn't go to 8.6 ft lbs so I rounded up. Hope this helps!

[@raulinazario9462]

@@AutoFixYT thank you brother soon I will do the same 9 Lbs of torque. Thanks💪

[@AutoFixYT]

Good luck!

[@TainoSurfer03]

I did everything, the car started, turn it off and won't start. It cranked first few times, but then didn't cranked after like it had some kind of problem with battery bit I know it's not the battery. Help?

[@AutoFixYT]

Double check all your work. If it doesn't crank it must be a bad battery or a bad starter. Check battery terminal connectors and make sure they're secure properly but also clean of corrosion. Take them off and inspect and clean them if necessary. And make sure you reconnected all wires that you might have disconnected.

[@TainoSurfer03]

@@AutoFixYT thanks, I did checked everything, I'm checking the battery right now I already disconnected I'm trying to boosted with cables to my other car.

[@AutoFixYT]

Ok. If you have a multimeter, check the voltage while the car is off. Should be above 12v. Then try to crank it. Should stay above 9-10v for a healthy battery. If not, your battery is weak (old or not fully charged).

[@TainoSurfer03]

@@AutoFixYT checked the battery. It was fine, now on my way to change the starter.

[@AutoFixYT]

Hmm ok. Let me know how it goes!

[@JC-cs2pr]

how i can contact you i have 2010 gmc terrain 3.0 giving me a code P0017 i replaced all sensors and still the code

[@AutoFixYT]

I can't fix that for you, you'll have to reach out to your local mechanic or do some more research on your own.

[@ceezauto213]

Vlave cover ? 🤨

[@AutoFixYT]

Oopsies, didn't notice that. I'll fix it haha

[@ceezauto213]

@@AutoFixYT 😅