I am a newb, so forgive me, i've checked the faqs....

A valve cover gasket on a 2.2L OHV (97 Sunfire SE) is replaced by 1)simply removing the cover...2)Chiseling off the old gasket, carefully so as not to damage the metal seating surface3) Cleaning both seating surfaces 4) applying a slight bit of new motor oil and seating the gasket on the head first and then 5)Clamping down the valve cover, with a 3/4 turn of the wrench past hand tight. 6)Finally check for leaks and occaisionally tighten as needed, and only as needed....

That is what i remember from shop class five years ago.....correct me if im wrong and please point out mistakes, my Buick manual which covers the 2.2 I have now is not close at hand. And if we get some positive answers on this mabe it'll become a sticky....oil leaks seem to be prevelent in old school GM engines, or at least in my experiance this appears to be the case.

I need to do this on the 'fire, she's leaking. I don't want to keep topping up i'd have to buy castrol shares as well.

Basically yes. Remove valve cover, using gasket scraper remove left over gasket, on both engine and valve cover itself.

You dont need to lube the new one with motor oil. A dob of gasket sealer at each of the four couners, and halfway in between them is fine.

You wont need to tighten it ever. These arent bolts like old headgasket where after 500 miles they need a retorque.



Rob


- 2004 Cavalier - 124k, owned since new