I've got a leak in my passenger side valve cover gasket. I have to replace it with a new one.

Is this a difficult thing to do? I was told that i need to remove the interior dash, in order to get to the back of the engine. Is this true? How could i do that?

Is this a straight forward repair? So if i just start then i'll understand how to finish it? I've put gaskets in older cars, but none of them had half the engine under the dash.

My car is a '99 by the way. I would also appreciate any resources i could check out to learn about the repair. Thanks.

 

No, you don't have to remove your interior dash to access a valve cover gasket. All of the work involved in that repair is going to take place right under the hood. I would suggest picking up a Chilton's manual or Haynes and that will help you through the process. Otherwise, it is a pretty straightforward repair.

 

Ok cool thanks. Off the top of your head, how do i get the rear valve cover gasket nuts/bolts loosened without removing the dash?

Also i've got 80,000 miles on the engine. Does this seem low mileage for a valve cover to need replacing?

 

There is no dash removal necessary. You are just going to have to squeeze back there through the engine bay and get them that way. As for them going bad at 80K, it is definitely possible. I have seen valve cover gaskets go bad with alot less miles.

 

very common replacement, tight compartment with a lot of heat, straightforward replacement. use good gaskets

 

Alright thanks guys. One last thing. Should i replace both at the same time? Even though only one is faulty?

 

I would just replace the bad one.

 

I was thinking, while i'm in there, i could put a throttle body in. Anyone know a good vendor for that?

 

sorry forgot to enable instant email notification.

 

Save your money, an aftermarket throttle body is pretty useless mod unless you have a motor built up to require one.

 

What would be the next logical mod for my car, then?

I have the catback exhaust (came with the car) and the 3.8L engine. I haven't done any modifications myself.

 

A cold air intake is usually another easy and basic mod.

 

You mean a whisper lid? That's the same thing as cold air intake, correct?

How much HP does it increase?

 

The CAI and lid are different, the lid will be alot cheaper considering that the mod itself will probably only net you about a 5hp gain. Here is a link that has a few options to look through: http://www.thunderracing.com/catalog...vid=5&pcid=182

 

Hmm. That sort of leaves me with more questions. I'll look and study that page to see if i can make sense of it all. I'll also check out the sticky on the V6 main page.

Thanks for all your help.