Hi Everyone,

I have a 1998 Civic EX manual transmission

This weekend I decided to go ahead and replace my Valve cover gasket, VTEC gasket and the IACV gasket. When I had my valve cover off I decided to retighten (using a torcometer and the engine cold(1 night off)) my head bolts with the specification torque procedure, only a few turned just a bit and just in case I turned the other ones just that little bit to try maintain the same shape.

The valve cover gasket I bought was not the one for this car, it looked pretty similar but I had to cut it and glue it since it was a bit larger than stock. Then I installed it without any sealant.

Today I checked and I have a major oil leak, couldnt tell where since I needed to clean the engine and I had no time. Could it be its leaking from the head? I hope its not, pretty sure the valve cover gasket is not the one I needed.

Thanks!

 

This is your problem. Fix it.

 

Lol he asked and answered his own question no need for the forum

 

lol. the proper gaskets might do the trick

 

OK i think your gasket WAS the correct one. When you install rubber gaskets you cannot "slide" your fingers across the gasket as you Lay it into its trough/groove it lays in. you MUST PRESS the gasket DOWN into place. If you slide your hand across it the gasket "grows" and it will not fit and you would have to cut a link out of it so it will lay in and not scrunch up.

 

Thats actually what I did, I had to cut it, since it was all in place but I have some extra length on it. I will try to get the Honda Genuine one and give it a try. Should I use sealant on it? or its no necessary?

i was a bit scared I broke my head gasket when retightening it, but I was very careful I did turn the bolts lets say no more than a 1/6.

 

Put some HondaBond on the curved corners of the gasket, and buy or borrow a torque wrench.