8G I4 Valve cover removal.

[4g63lover]

I just recently replaced the valve cover gasket and plug seals. I noticed there aren't any tutorials on valve cover removal with pics. So I decided I'd make one.

Tools needed
10mm socket
12mm socket
10mm open end wrench
spark plug socket
long extension
flathead screwdriver
BFH (only if needed)

First you want to take the coilpacks off. Use the 10mm socket to remove the bolts holding them to the bracket and carefully pull on the coilpack itself and the plug wires. If this is your first time taking them off, it is possible that you might need to tug a little harder as they will be a little stubborn but be careful and make sure you don't rip nothing.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a103/4g63lover/baby%20g/DSC03520.jpg

next you want to use the spark plug socket and remove the spark plugs.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a103/4g63lover/baby%20g/DSC03521.jpg

Now you will notice the throttle cable bolted onto brackets on the valve cover. remove the bolts with the 10m socket.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a103/4g63lover/baby%20g/DSC03522.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a103/4g63lover/baby%20g/DSC03523.jpg

Next is the line going to the power steering. It is held onto the valve cover with a 12mm bolt.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a103/4g63lover/baby%20g/DSC03524.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a103/4g63lover/baby%20g/DSC03525.jpg

Now towards the back of the engine next to the intake manifold are the bolts that hold the harness to the valve cover. Remove these bolts by using the 10mm socket and put the harness aside to get it out of the way
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a103/4g63lover/baby%20g/DSC03526.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a103/4g63lover/baby%20g/DSC03527.jpg

Disconnect the line from the PCV to the intake manifold
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a103/4g63lover/baby%20g/DSC03528-1.jpg

Now you can either do two things, unbolt the top screws for the upper timing cover and work around it, or you can completely remove it by taking the 3 12mm bolts and one 10mm bolt out.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a103/4g63lover/baby%20g/DSC03529-1.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a103/4g63lover/baby%20g/DSC03530-1.jpg

I just took it completely off, saves me the hassle of having to work around it.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a103/4g63lover/baby%20g/DSC03531-1.jpg

And then now you want to take the I believe it's a ground plate off of the right side rear corner of the valve cover.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a103/4g63lover/baby%20g/DSC03537.jpg
You can use the 10mm to take it off. Mind you, you can't get to the bolt on that corner for the valve cover without removing this.

Now it's onto the valve cover bolts. You can use the 10mm socket to remove these. There are six total, one in each corner and one in the middle front and one in the middle rear. You will be surprised of how easy they come off. They are not torqued down as tight as you would think.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a103/4g63lover/baby%20g/DSC03532-1.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a103/4g63lover/baby%20g/DSC03533-1.jpg

The valve cover won't just come off as soon as you take the bolts off. I had to tap the valve cover with a BFH.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a103/4g63lover/baby%20g/DSC03538.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a103/4g63lover/baby%20g/DSC03540.jpg
After a couple of taps, I took the flathead screw driver and pried up on the valve cover. Don't just start prying anywhere because you will warp the valve cover easily. Go to the timing side of the valve cover, you will see the round part of the valve cover and you can pry under that. Should come off easily.

Now the valve cover is off.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a103/4g63lover/baby%20g/DSC03541.jpg
Take the flathead and once again pry the gasket off. I stuck that screwdriver into the middle hole on the gasket and pried up to get it off. Use the gasket itself for leverage NOT the valve cover to avoid warpage. Mine came out in one piece and the valve cover didn't have any residue whatsoever.

The plug seals were suctioned into the valve cover so I just pried with the screwdriver carefully to get them off.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a103/4g63lover/baby%20g/DSC03543.jpg

Replace the gasket and seals, then put it all back together. Putting it back together is easy. Just work backwards. lol Make sure you don't overtighten the valve cover to prevent leaks. I just hand tightened them 'til they stopped. Then turned it like a 1/4-1/2 turn.

well, hope this helped.

This is what my motor looks like now.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a103/4g63lover/baby%20g/DSC03550.jpg

[run1206]

nice tutorial! :thumb:
mean a$$ face too :lol:

[jimmy_o2]

Bro Great Tutorial

[HungarianHunter]

Great tutorial man, very well done :)

[QnzMostWanted]

great tutorial, but u dont have to remove the spark plugs to remove the valve cover

[4g63lover]

great tutorial, but u dont have to remove the spark plugs to remove the valve cover

yeah, but I was changing them anyway and happened to take pics. lol

[es_fact]

Great work.. i gotta do this soon lol :)

[CHICAGO_ONE]

NICE! Engine looks hott too man

[IVORY_G]

Nice work man! I need to do this too, just been procrastinating ;P

[n3oAcid24]

this is going to come in handy. i need to change the gaskets you showed in the inside of the cover...

[Galantfan88]

Nice job, and very well shown how to do.

[2002BlackDragon]

Damn, i wish i had this when i PAID to have mine done. I even got on here and asked what i was doing wrong, but nobody helped. I never took the bolts out for the timing cover cause i wasnt 100% sure that it wasnt going to loosen the timing gear (or whatever). I am trying to teach myself about the car. I just need some help from time to time. LOL

[n3oAcid24]

im going ot take mine off tomorrow or friday. might even paint mine red to go with everything else. well aside the ngk wires. LOL!!!!

[4g63lover]

im going ot take mine off tomorrow or friday. might even paint mine red to go with everything else. well aside the ngk wires. LOL!!!!

nice dude!!! Make sure not to overtighten the bolts!

[n3oAcid24]

nice dude!!! Make sure not to overtighten the bolts!

its off right now. just clean it and now taking a little break. anyways, ill let you know how it comes out...

[Serstylz2]

im gonna do this soon and change my gasket, maybe paint the cover soon too. thanks

[n3oAcid24]

im gonna do this soon and change my gasket, maybe paint the cover soon too. thanks

no stop coping me man. LOL!!!! JK! stylz, how you been???

[Serstylz2]

im doin ight stranger where the hell have you been?

[n3oAcid24]

im doin ight stranger where the hell have you been?

lol.... its called school man. you should know this. LOL!!!! it keeps me busy pretty much.

[Ender-DI]

When replacing the gasket for the valve cover, do I just use the gasket or do I use any sealant on it too? If so, what kind?

[02redgalant]

just the gasket....make sure you torque it right or else it won't stop leaking

[varroa]

the torque of the valve cover bolts is specified in the service manual. it's 30 inch-pounds.

[nightmare03]

Great tutorial man!!! Awesome !!!!! I m about to do it now jajaja i needed help but this tut.. Made it i wasn't sure i could do it myself the mecanic told me i have to paid $70 bucks to have it done i have to buy the seals too that's crazy....... Hopefully i take some pics while im doing it lol !!!! And for the last question about the sealant i ask the guys in autozone and told me it did not need sealant ! PLEASE CHECK OUT MY PICS TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK !

[Rabbi1991]

this here does not need to be removed.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a103/4g63lover/baby%20g/DSC03530-1.jpg

[4g63lover]

the power steering line? it's mounted to the valve cover.

[beam514]

I think he's talking about the timing belt/cam gear cover. I know on the V6, you can leave that bolt in. At least I'm pretty sure..

[M-Rod]

I think he's talking about the timing belt/cam gear cover. I know on the V6, you can leave that bolt in. At least I'm pretty sure..

Only on the front valve cover. V6 rear has 2 timing cover bolts in the valve cover. Hopefully nobody with the I4 starts looking for their rear valve cover now :-p

[4g63lover]

hahaha. Oh, well you don't HAVE to take it off, but it's just easier to take the valve cover off if the timing cover is out of the way.

[JesterX]

Very good tutorial. You have some good pics and were clear on what you were doing step by step. This is how how-to threads should be done