Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Duratec Maintenance Replace valve cover gaskets with UIM/LIM rebuild?

I'm getting ready to do the ol UIM/LIM rebuild because of a oil leak that I think is coming from the oil separator tube. Is it a good idea to replace the valve cover gaskets while I'm in there? Or would this be a completely different procedure?

Definitely a good idea. You have to have the UIM & LIM off to do the valve covers, so they'll be right there, ready to be removed. Hopefully your rear gasket fits better than mine, as I believe I'm getting a slight leak from the rear valve cover. It just seemed that the gasket was too long, or possibly stretched.

Mark

Only if they are leaking or about to leak. IF they are still uniform and pliable then they are fully reusable. The oil vent tubes leak all the time, Just take a plastic zip tie and put it around the rubber booth that goes over the valve cover vent tube and pull it tight. This will minimize any leakage or stop it until the tube gets old enough to dry rot. Then when you see cracks starting to form just replace it.
It is my experience that the gaskets don't go bad very often, it is the valve cover vent tube that swells from heat and oil vapor and eventually leaks, or the valve cover bolts need retorqued again, or the spark plug o-rings at the valve cover nuts begin to leak as well.