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- 2002 Mazda Protege ES
So I recently had to replace my valve cover gasket due to a leaky one and I figured why not do a write up at the same time
Supplies needed:
- New gasket
- RTV silicone (optional)
- Supplies for an oil change
So this is where you start
First you are going to need to cut the zip-tie holders that hold the part of the wiring harness to the cover itself:
Next you need to disconnect FOUR electrical connections so disconnect the battery and then disconnect the connections. The one on the bottom is a little hard to see but it connects to the PS pump and has no clip you simply pull it off.
Next you need to remove FOUR bolts, two on each of the number 2 and number 4 spark plug tubes.
Then you can pull out the spark plug tubes and move the wiring harness out of your way toward the intake manifold
Then you need to disconnect two more connections to the cover. Not sure what the names are but you can see what they are from the picture
Then you can remove the ELEVEN bolts that hold the cover to the head of the engine. Remove them in the order indicated. SEVEN is hard to see but trust me it is still there Im not sure if it is necessary but I used a pencil to mark each one so that it went back in the same hole when reinstalling the cover.
Then remove the cover
Probably a good idea to keep the open engine covered with a clean rag
Then remove the old gasket. I also cleaned the inside of the cover with parts cleaner for good measure. (it is still dirty in the picture however)
Then clean the surface where the gasket will seat. Some Brakleen and a lint free cloth does the job. Also clean the sharp corners where indicated of sealant and (optional part
place a dab of RTV silicone in each corner
Then reseat the new gasket in the cover itself and use your finger to spread some motor oil along the new gasket where it will sit on the head. Carefully place the cover back on the head so as not to cause the gasket to fall away from the cover and seat improperly. (You can also paint your cover like I did while its off the car). Then just reverse the order for removal to get it all hooked up again. It is also a good idea to re-tighten the cover bolts after the first drive due to the gasket squishing down from the heat.
Finally perform an oil change due to contaminants that may have gotten into the engine while uncovered.
There ya go, no more leaky valve cover
Supplies needed:
- New gasket
- RTV silicone (optional)
- Supplies for an oil change
So this is where you start
First you are going to need to cut the zip-tie holders that hold the part of the wiring harness to the cover itself:
Next you need to disconnect FOUR electrical connections so disconnect the battery and then disconnect the connections. The one on the bottom is a little hard to see but it connects to the PS pump and has no clip you simply pull it off.
Next you need to remove FOUR bolts, two on each of the number 2 and number 4 spark plug tubes.
Then you can pull out the spark plug tubes and move the wiring harness out of your way toward the intake manifold
Then you need to disconnect two more connections to the cover. Not sure what the names are but you can see what they are from the picture
Then you can remove the ELEVEN bolts that hold the cover to the head of the engine. Remove them in the order indicated. SEVEN is hard to see but trust me it is still there Im not sure if it is necessary but I used a pencil to mark each one so that it went back in the same hole when reinstalling the cover.
Then remove the cover
Probably a good idea to keep the open engine covered with a clean rag
Then remove the old gasket. I also cleaned the inside of the cover with parts cleaner for good measure. (it is still dirty in the picture however)
Then clean the surface where the gasket will seat. Some Brakleen and a lint free cloth does the job. Also clean the sharp corners where indicated of sealant and (optional part
place a dab of RTV silicone in each corner
Then reseat the new gasket in the cover itself and use your finger to spread some motor oil along the new gasket where it will sit on the head. Carefully place the cover back on the head so as not to cause the gasket to fall away from the cover and seat improperly. (You can also paint your cover like I did while its off the car). Then just reverse the order for removal to get it all hooked up again. It is also a good idea to re-tighten the cover bolts after the first drive due to the gasket squishing down from the heat.
Finally perform an oil change due to contaminants that may have gotten into the engine while uncovered.
There ya go, no more leaky valve cover
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