FinzWake

'98 accord with about 170k miles. I'm considering changing the valve cover gasket and just called dealer for price: $161...?!!? Checked online: $12

Has anyone performed this change and what did you pay for replacement gasket?

Also, the guy at Honda Parts scared me - I figured this would be an old school gasket job but he started talking about timing chain cover and stuff

I googled but didn't come up with anything very good (yet) for a visual or procedure but mention was made about spark plug sleeves and gaskets as well...?

Does anyone have any tips/tricks on how to perform this gasket replacement?

Thank you

1991EX

Go to advance or autozone and pick up a FEL-PRO valve cover gasket. Make sure to pick up a small tube of "black" gasket sealer.

Remove valve cover

ensure all old gasket is removed from cover and head.

Use a screwdriver to remove spark plug hole gaskets, install new ones with a small dab of gasket sealer on the outside edge

if you have the valve cover bolts that are flared on the bottom (prevents overtightening) perform the following;

remove valve cover bolts from the cover, then cut the old grommets off with a knife, wire cutters etc.

oil the inside of the new grommets and use a socket that will not allow the grommet to pass through but will allow the bolt flared end through. Using a circular motion, push the flared end through the new grommet. Make sure you have the metal washer on the bolt first!

After the spark plug and bolt grommets are done, use a dab of black gasket sealer in the corners where the cam housing is. Put the dab of gasket sealer on the head in 4 places.

Install gasket into cover, install on head and tighten down.

FinzWake

Thank you very much 1991...

I'm going to read thru your response a few more times and give this a shot... Just slight "leakage"" /dampness but it looks easy to replace so why not

I have no idea how to check or do this but since the cover is coming off, would that be a good time to do anything to the valves?

Again the car has 170k miles. - I just want to do what I can so the car can hit the 250k mark

Thanks again

1991EX

if you are not experienced in setting valves, and the car is running good with no real excessive valve noise I would leave it alone. A noisy valve is better than one that is too tight.

FinzWake

Thanks again 1991.. not enough noise to apples that rat's nest

Surfer Dan

I did the Valve Cover Gasket and Spark Plug Tube Seals along with the Valve Cover Grommets on my friend's 1998 Accord LX 4cyl recently. I made a YouTube video showing how I did it. Here's the link: