Valve Cover Gasket Replacement 2012-2018 Ford Focus 2.0L

In this video I go over the process I use to replace the valve cover gasket set on the 2012-2018 Ford Focus equipped with the duratec N/A 2.0L. I even go over a few tips and tricks that I've learned over the years of doing these valve cover gasket replacements.
Note: Please use caution when performing this service to your vehicle and use care not to get any foreign materials into the engine in the process. During the process of cleaning the mating surfaces I used a green scouring pad. These pads can shed fibers that can potentially get into the engine.
Note: Use any and all methods shown in the video at your own risk. As noted in the video I used my screw driver incorrectly as a chisel. Also, using a razor blade or a pocket screw driver on mating surfaces could potentially damage the mating surface which could result in leaks. However, if you were to scrape or damage your mating surface RTV could possibly be used in those areas to give you the forgiveness you need.
Note: When using RTV, you only have a short time to get the valve cover on and bolted down securely from the time the RTV is applied. The RTV should still be wet after the valve cover is bolted down securely.
Note: Over tightening the valve cover bolts can cause them to break. Do not over tighten the valve cover bolts.
Brake parts cleaner was used to clean the valve cover it's self.
Also, when ensuring that the valve cover gasket has not been knocked out or scraped out as shown at around the 29:00 mark, be sure not to rake off the RTV that was applied to the cylinder head earlier. If the RTV has been raked off, by your fingers, the valve cover must be removed and RTV reapplied properly.
Warning!! Use care when working around the low pressure and high pressure line at the high pressure fuel pump toward the rear of the valve cover. You will be working very closely to these and it is possible to damage these lines by being too rough around them. BE GENTLE when removing and installing the valve cover.
DISCLAIMER
Barbour's Auto Help is not responsible for any damage or personal injury incurred in the process of performing any auto repairs done by you the viewer. Automotive repair is extremely dangerous. Repair your vehicle at your own risk. It is the viewers responsibility to verify all information and procedures as outlined in YOUR REPAIR MANUAL AND OWNERS MANUAL FOR YOUR VEHICLE. Owning and using a repair manual suited for your vehicle is essential for correctly and safely performing ANY repair to your vehicle. Always wear safety glasses, protective gloves and heed all instructions for use applicable to any piece of equipment you may use. Due to circumstances out of the control of Barbour's Auto Help, Barbour's Auto Help makes no guarantee that by the use of the information given in this video a quality repair will be made. Barbour's Auto Help makes no guarantee that the information provided is totally complete, synchronized and accurate. Verify everything using an appropriate repair manual. Verify everything with your own research.

[@user-li9xw2mr3n]

This guy took 35 mins to explain so nicely... you are a good teacher

[@REVNUMANEWBERN]

I believe this is the BEST repair vidio I have seen on YT concerning DETAILS, SHORT, no nonsense, he is as good as Ford makuloco guy

[@RxMich]

I will make a suggestion to make it easier to remove tho old valve cover gasket without prying and potentially damaging the seam surface. Pull out the bolts from the valve cove first rather than just loosening them up. There is a metal centering shaft surrounding the bolt that is fairly easy to pull out of the old valve cover. If tight, apply a little PB Blaster. Once they have been removed, insert two needle nose pliers into holes One half of the pliers on the outside and the other half on the inside next to and opposite each other bolt holes. You will have more than enough pull to remove the cover from the left side of the engine. It is easier too because you are evenly pulling on the cover so it is not pinching the seal around the solenoids. The video was vary helpful. I torqued in the radial pattern recommended by Ford and final torque was set to 106 inch pounds.

[@normanbuchanan9710]

This man's voice is so calm and reassuring you have no choice but to learn, he's like the Bob Ross or Brady Brandwood from Leon the lobster of mechanics.

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Great complement! Thank you! I have a poster of Bob just above my desk where I do my video editing. "No mistakes. Only happy accidents".

[@bertgrau3934]

Sir, I know this video is a year old. It helped me a bunch. My daughter has a 2015 Focus and the valve cover cracked. ( her husband turned the oil fill cap too much ) your video was of great help. I was having problems getting the old valve cover off. When I finally just grabbed it and yanked on it, I was surprised. The gasket was holding on tight. Just over 100,000 miles on the car. Thank you for a very good video. I understand the disclaimer, I understand I can make a mistake. Trying to help people these days, you really do need to cover yourself. Again, thank you sir. A very interesting, and informative video.

[@johnlevan8879]

Brother! Thank you! I'll be the first to admit that I'm no mechanic but sometimes, you have to do what you gotta do. I had been dealing with oil spraying from the top for two months but couldn't afford a mechanic. Bought the parts you recommended and got it done in about 8x longer than it took you. Lol She's running now and smoother than it has in a long time. Easy tutorial and explanations along the way made this a snap. Again, thank you.

[@REVNUMANEWBERN]

GEE, I was looking for one with the torque specs & sequence in tightening, BUT I gave a 👍 because it's a EXCELLENT production

[@williamschilling]

You have such a nice voice, and explain so clearly. Thanks for posting, really helped me!!!

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Glad it helped!

[@mustangmarty8491]

Great video, sir. The detail was great & informative. I am now a subscriber. Thank you 👍

[@prueensgloria4743]

Many thanks for the series big man

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

My pleasure!

[@victoriagochenauer7037]

Very well done, instructional video. Thank you so much! You rock!!

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Antigov247]

Im following you step by step right now. I'm extremely nervous but im giving it my best shot🧐🥴

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Well.....How did it go?

[@abduljabar9167]

This guy is a superstar👍

[@kyiov4yk]

Really nice explanation! Thank you for your video, helped a lot

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Glad it helped!

[@MrFordguy73]

I watched it for a good 8 minutes before I figured out it's not in the in the vehicle, probably makes it a lot easier. About to tackle it.

[@loganbowdish672]

How did it go? Did having the engine inside complicate it too much? thanks

[@brianclements7533]

Great video, super helpful step-by-step that is making me eager to do this job. What torque do you recommend to tighten those bolts back down?

[@MrEGOMACHINE]

Like the bob ross of mechanics. Zen auto mechanicing.

[@abdulmohsenalabdulkareem3638]

I can’t thank you more for this very detailed video. Thank you so much.

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Your very welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@thomaslevy9985]

Nicely well done 👍 tks for the tutorial

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

No problem 👍

[@careful7951]

Good video.

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Thanks!

[@user-vd1xp4zy7x]

What would be the part number bcs i need the ones from the spark plug gaskets. Oil is getting in to my spark plugs

[@GympiepropertymaintenanceAu]

Any idea where output speed sensor is?

[@AirtimeAerial]

Great vid man..will def follow. Any thoughts to a thing amount of tack bond to hold the gasket firm in the cover while reinstalling? Keep up the good work!

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Never needed it for this job on the 2.0L. The gasket usually hangs on pretty well in the groves.

[@Tunnanios]

Sub'd appreciate the help. I hate Ford for making super cheap cars but needless to say I have the 14 Focus. Transmission has already required service within 1 week of buying off marketplace. Has less than 100k miles. Got home this morning and smelled burnt oil. Sure enough, I see oil build up along the VC. Since I'm near 100k anyway, I'm going to start prepping for this repair. Appreciate the tutorial.

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

No problem at all. let me know if you have questions.

[@maddog9793]

Why does these engines have so many different types of valve cover gaskets?? I have a Ford Focus SE 2.0 Hatchback 2012 shiftstick and I'm trying to buy the gasket, but when I go to eBay's fitment it shows that the item is not compatible with my engine... Can you please share the part number for the gasket you installed. By the way my engine doesn't use the cylinder head temperature sensor

[@lilzue09]

Do you know what the torque specs are for the valve cover bolts

[@maxwright4387]

hey thanks for making this great helpful video... I umm, snapped the bracket off of the exhaust valve timing solenoid. is that thing pressurized with oil and will shoot out of the engine if I run it without the bracket holding it down? a replacement is only $15 but I don't want to have to take the damn valve cover off again to replace it if I don't have to! lol

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

The VCT solenoid must be bolted down. A stitch in time saves 9. Sorry but it’s the best thing to do.

[@maxwright4387]

@@BarboursAutoHelp thanks. I know. I haven't started the car and am waiting for the new solenoid which should be here tomorrow. didn't want to risk oil being blasted all over the engine bay or loss of oil pressure, or the part hitting the cam or whatever. thanks for the reply. if you're at all curious how I broke it I was tapping the new ring gasket on using a socket, which got stuck, and I tried to unstuck the socket with a pipe wrench, thus liberating the whole solenoid with the socket jammed onto it. lol.

[@JedWyse]

Im looking to do this on my focus- My engine is pretty dirty- I sprayed air to get all debris out but the top of my engine is coated in dust- is dust getting in the engine any risk? I have had friends tell me to give the engine a light rinse to get the dust off but I don't know- ive seen other areas say not to do that

[@JedWyse]

My focus has just shy of 100,000 miles and I went to change the spark plugs and noticed the middle two had alot of oil so I know I need to swap out that middle gasket.

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

I wouldn’t wash it. Just blow it off really well with air and don’t get anything in the engine.

[@geriiwamoto]

I'm still wondering how can I remove thebolt that is holding down the cover and the bracket?

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

The bolt that is holding down the cover and bracket?? I'm not sure what bolt you are referring to. Was this not gone over in the video?

[@ChicagOMoBBBN26]

Thank You Tiger 🐯 ....

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

No problem

[@REVNUMANEWBERN]

Is the valve cover PLASTIC??? If it is would you recommend an aluminum one for better durability & sealing?? If so what produce would you recommend?

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

I'd keep it original equipment.

[@RECTALBURRITO]

Great video! Can you show us how to get a regular transmission instead of a CVT?

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

I wasn’t aware that a CVT was an option for this vehicle.

[@RECTALBURRITO]

​@@BarboursAutoHelp Sorry I meant DCT. I am used to altimas I guess.

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

@RECTALBURRITO Oh ok. I’ve never had the opportunity of switching one out. But I’d imagine it’s possible. Probably would require a lot more than just changing out transmissions though. New harness. New PCM or reconfiguring the existing one. New floor console etc. I’m really not sure if there is a solution like that for this vehicle. Sounds like something I can look into. Either way it would probably be very expensive. Maybe even close to the actual value of the vehicle.

[@omarcristobal7551]

I still got a leak ii change the gaskets but one of the 2 circle gaskets leaking oil

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Sorry to hear that. Are the VCT seals new as well?

[@Ivansthename]

Can a valve cover gasket leak cause a Evap leak code ?

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

I've never seen that before. I'd say no.

[@brodymatthews6769]

My vvt gasket ripped trying to do this way

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

During removal or installation?

[@Antigov247]

I don't think I need RTV sealant or a gasket maker. I read it's not necessary

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

I don't recommend not using it....The engine comes from the factory with RTV between the timing cover and the head so....that should be an indication that you need it.

[@Antigov247]

@@BarboursAutoHelp i loosened all screws and it's lifting but it's hard

[@Antigov247]

@@BarboursAutoHelp it's hard to shimmy it 😪 😕

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

It can be a little difficult.

[@Antigov247]

​@@BarboursAutoHelp i finally got it off🤩🙏

[@billcooperpatriot1059]

What the hell? Where is my head temperature sensor? I don't have one!

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Do you have a 2012-2018 Ford Focus equipped with the Duratec 2.0L? Or is your vehicle equipped with a different engine?

[@billcooperpatriot1059]

@@BarboursAutoHelp I reused the vct seals , and no visible leaks, but I can smell crankcase fumes inside the car.

[@Sovek86]

well crap. I think I installed my VVT solenoid seals upside down. I doubt I can remove them without damaging them :/ BTW if you're not removing the fuel line you will want to remove the camshaft position sensors to get the clearance to pull out towards the passneger side.

[@user-li9xw2mr3n]

😂

[@fairfax_fran5109]

This demonstration is on a engine with zero miles 😂

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

What’s significant about that?

[@fairfax_fran5109]

@@BarboursAutoHelp you can’t tell where the actual leak is coming from on a broken in engine

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

So what are you looking for? A video on how to find an oil leak? I don’t understand. I have a video on that if you need it. This video is just for showing how to replace the valve cover gasket.

[@fairfax_fran5109]

@@BarboursAutoHelp just want to see a comparison on the valve cover gasket leaks

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Maybe this will help. Find Oil Leaks Easily With a UV Dye Light kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGSzZoGqpseSprc