Hello,

I am in the process of replacing the valve cover gasket, spark plug seals and I have a couple of questions.

1. I am having a difficult time removing the old spark plug seals. What Can I use to remove them without damaging my valve cover? I was thinking vise grips to pull them out, but once again, they are really in there.

2. The manual states states to, "Apply oil to spark plug tube seal when installing". Can some one explicitly in detail tell me exactly WHERE it is asking to apply the oil? (i.e. around the entire seal before installing, after its installed around the outside,keeping the inside clean).

I am very slow so please give details of the exact process. Thanks folks!

 

I've always used a small metal hook.

 

like what kind of hook?

 

use a pretty thick screwdriver and pop them out by sliding it under one part of the seal and pry each one till they pop out... or you can use a small punch tap on one side and it should rock loose... and second the reason they want you to apply a thin coat of oil on both the inside and outside of the tube seals is actually for two reasons one is to ease installation into the valve cover AND to make sure you don't cut the seal sliding over the plug tubes...

 

ok cool. do you think i might accidently bend in the valve cover lip with the screwdriver by using the pry method? Lastly, can i just use standard 5w30 to coat the seals?

 

The old seals can be bitch to remove they get very hard with age. Just do as wrenchez81 discribed and take your time. Also when installig the new seals it doesn't hurt to add a little oil to the seal when installing them

 

you wont bend it because your prying under the seal. so one end is nder the seal and your pry point will be the top part of the seal get it... so what your doing is actually rocking the seal to where itll pop free... you may not be a doctor but ur gonna need patience.. and yes 5w-3o will be fine...

 

yea just pry it. but you have to make shure your under it. those are a pain to get out.

 

i did a quick google search and looks like this guy was sucessful with using grips so ill try that first. Maybe even warm them up a little with heat gun then rock them back and fourth.

 

^^^ i wouldnt try that if your a noob!!!! just askin to f*#$k sumthin up!!! and if you use a torch BE CAREFUL!! don't forget ur workin on aluminum which can distort easily... but hey its your valve cover... if you mess it up i have two u can buy!!! aaaaaand if the seals are hard and brittle you are more than likely not going to get the proper grip neccesary to do so.... hope it works out for ya bro!!!

 

Ok, thanks for chiming in. I will disregard the vise grip technique and go with your screwdriver back and forth cradle to loosen it. Ill skip the heat gun also.

 

are they really that hard to get out!? i've removed and replaced these things countless times and every time thus far they've basically just fallen out of the valve cover, or remained attached to the spark plug tube itself. no prying necessary.

 

ya, theyre fused to the valve cover and have no play what so ever. I took a razor blade and dug out most of the rubber but that is taking forever. As soon as i get home I will try another way.

 

***Update*** Using the screwdriving back and forth cradle technique got them right out. Thanks for all your help. Now to go raise hell at Honda, they gave me the wrong valve cover gasket.

 

thats *ucked up....

 

I raised hell so they hooked me up with a buy one get one free of honda dot 3. I told them I was doing a flush and tried to get 2 bottles for free. lol

 

try warming up the rubber.. not with direct fire on them. heat up the vale cover to loosen it up.