Help wth a few questions....
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Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 219
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From: Elk Grove, CA, USA
Help wth a few questions....
1) Should I use a new valve cover gasket even though the old gasket is still good?
2) Speaking of gasket, how should I apply the sealer to the valve cover?
a) once on the valve cover, install gasket and then, on the top on engine block?
3) I drained the radiator but did not remove the drain bolt from the engine block. When I removed the water pump, coolant came out and some got on the crankshaft and the timing belt adjusting bolt. Is this okay? Should I clean it before installing the timing belt and the timing belt cover?
Sorry to sound so rookie-ish, but I have never done anything like this before. Checking the oil was about it for me, but I'm glad and proud of myself for doing this job....with all your help.
I will post some pics with more questions later. Thanks, guys n gals
2) Speaking of gasket, how should I apply the sealer to the valve cover?
a) once on the valve cover, install gasket and then, on the top on engine block?
3) I drained the radiator but did not remove the drain bolt from the engine block. When I removed the water pump, coolant came out and some got on the crankshaft and the timing belt adjusting bolt. Is this okay? Should I clean it before installing the timing belt and the timing belt cover?
Sorry to sound so rookie-ish, but I have never done anything like this before. Checking the oil was about it for me, but I'm glad and proud of myself for doing this job....with all your help.
I will post some pics with more questions later. Thanks, guys n gals
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,748
Likes: 1
From: Humboldt, ca, usa
Re: Help wth a few questions.... (braass91)
damn, sorry man I thought you would be better off pulling the engine drain plug but I forgot to mention it. 
on me
yes clean it up and dry everything off as good as you can, you could use a blow dryer or a heat gun if you have one.
I was always told to replace the valve cover gasket. If it is fairly new you can probably get away with reusing it.
Apply RVT to the corner of the "humps" where the cam/cam seals are. also give the spark plug grommets a light coat, #3 at the bottom
unless you are reusing an old gasket then you should RVT arount the whole thing I guess, but just a thin layer.
Modified by grog at 3:11 PM 4/13/2008
on meyes clean it up and dry everything off as good as you can, you could use a blow dryer or a heat gun if you have one.
I was always told to replace the valve cover gasket. If it is fairly new you can probably get away with reusing it.
Apply RVT to the corner of the "humps" where the cam/cam seals are. also give the spark plug grommets a light coat, #3 at the bottom
unless you are reusing an old gasket then you should RVT arount the whole thing I guess, but just a thin layer.
Modified by grog at 3:11 PM 4/13/2008
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 219
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From: Elk Grove, CA, USA
Re: Help wth a few questions.... (grog)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by grog »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">damn, sorry man I thought you would be better off pulling the engine drain plug but I forgot to mention it. on me
yes clean it up and dry everything off as good as you can, you could use a blow dryer or a heat gun if you have one.
I was always told to replace the valve cover gasket. If it is fairly new you can probably get away with reusing it.
Apply RVT to the corner of the "humps" where the cam/cam seals are. also give the spark plug grommets a light coat, #3 at the bottom
unless you are reusing an old gasket then you should RVT arount the whole thing I guess, but just a thin layer.
Modified by grog at 3:11 PM 4/13/2008</TD></TR></TABLE>
What's the best way to remove the drain plug from the engine w/o taking off the header cover and a few other things?
When applying RVT, whether to the corners or the whole thing, do you apply the RVT on the valve cover or the top of the engine block or both? Since my car has 180k on it, I will be using a new valve cover gasket with a thin layer of RVT (sealer?) around the whole valve cover and then, install the gasket. Right?
Yet more questions...
I have already installed the water pump and I did use a gasket sealer (applied a layer in the groove and then the o-ring but I just read somewhere else that I shouldn't have applied any sealer. Is this correct?
When I removed the spark plug housing (wire n tube) and the valve cover, I notice that there's oil inside one of the spark plug. Before I remove the spark plug, what's the best way to get rid of the oil? Is this something I should be worried about or is it just part of valve cover job?
Modified by braass91 at 6:21 AM 4/18/2008
Modified by braass91 at 6:29 AM 4/18/2008
on meyes clean it up and dry everything off as good as you can, you could use a blow dryer or a heat gun if you have one.
I was always told to replace the valve cover gasket. If it is fairly new you can probably get away with reusing it.
Apply RVT to the corner of the "humps" where the cam/cam seals are. also give the spark plug grommets a light coat, #3 at the bottom
unless you are reusing an old gasket then you should RVT arount the whole thing I guess, but just a thin layer.
Modified by grog at 3:11 PM 4/13/2008</TD></TR></TABLE>
What's the best way to remove the drain plug from the engine w/o taking off the header cover and a few other things?
When applying RVT, whether to the corners or the whole thing, do you apply the RVT on the valve cover or the top of the engine block or both? Since my car has 180k on it, I will be using a new valve cover gasket with a thin layer of RVT (sealer?) around the whole valve cover and then, install the gasket. Right?
Yet more questions...
I have already installed the water pump and I did use a gasket sealer (applied a layer in the groove and then the o-ring but I just read somewhere else that I shouldn't have applied any sealer. Is this correct?
When I removed the spark plug housing (wire n tube) and the valve cover, I notice that there's oil inside one of the spark plug. Before I remove the spark plug, what's the best way to get rid of the oil? Is this something I should be worried about or is it just part of valve cover job?
Modified by braass91 at 6:21 AM 4/18/2008
Modified by braass91 at 6:29 AM 4/18/2008
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,748
Likes: 1
From: Humboldt, ca, usa
Re: Help wth a few questions.... (braass91)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by braass91 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
What's the best way to remove the drain plug from the engine w/o taking off the header cover and a few other things?</TD></TR></TABLE>
not sure I dont have a d series anymore, its easy as pie on a B series though.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by braass91 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
When applying RVT, whether to the corners or the whole thing, do you apply the RVT on the valve cover or the top of the engine block or both? </TD></TR></TABLE>
I believe it should go on the block side, thats the way I do it.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by braass91 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> Since my car has 180k on it, I will be using a new valve cover gasket with a thin layer of RVT (sealer?) around the whole valve cover and then, install the gasket. Right?</TD></TR></TABLE>
No with a new gasket the only spot that requires rvt sealer or Hondabond (yes its sealer) are the corners on the humps
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by braass91 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have already installed the water pump and I did use a gasket sealer (applied a layer in the groove and then the o-ring but I just read somewhere else that I shouldn't have applied any sealer. Is this correct?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Well according to the Haynes manual it's okay, the helm manual just says to replace the O ring with no mention of sealer.
You should be fine.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by braass91 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
When I removed the spark plug housing (wire n tube) and the valve cover, I notice that there's oil inside one of the spark plug. Before I remove the spark plug, what's the best way to get rid of the oil? Is this something I should be worried about or is it just part of valve cover job?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Stuff a rag in there and spin it. I have found that compressed air can get dust and crap out of the spark plug holes very well. That might work on liquids too, but its gonna be messy (cover it with a rag as you do it)
that oil may have been in there before, leaking through the seals.
What's the best way to remove the drain plug from the engine w/o taking off the header cover and a few other things?</TD></TR></TABLE>
not sure I dont have a d series anymore, its easy as pie on a B series though.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by braass91 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
When applying RVT, whether to the corners or the whole thing, do you apply the RVT on the valve cover or the top of the engine block or both? </TD></TR></TABLE>
I believe it should go on the block side, thats the way I do it.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by braass91 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> Since my car has 180k on it, I will be using a new valve cover gasket with a thin layer of RVT (sealer?) around the whole valve cover and then, install the gasket. Right?</TD></TR></TABLE>
No with a new gasket the only spot that requires rvt sealer or Hondabond (yes its sealer) are the corners on the humps
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by braass91 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have already installed the water pump and I did use a gasket sealer (applied a layer in the groove and then the o-ring but I just read somewhere else that I shouldn't have applied any sealer. Is this correct?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Well according to the Haynes manual it's okay, the helm manual just says to replace the O ring with no mention of sealer.
You should be fine.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by braass91 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
When I removed the spark plug housing (wire n tube) and the valve cover, I notice that there's oil inside one of the spark plug. Before I remove the spark plug, what's the best way to get rid of the oil? Is this something I should be worried about or is it just part of valve cover job?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Stuff a rag in there and spin it. I have found that compressed air can get dust and crap out of the spark plug holes very well. That might work on liquids too, but its gonna be messy (cover it with a rag as you do it)
that oil may have been in there before, leaking through the seals.
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