Passenger side valve cover gasket replacement

KLHUDOCK64

MEMBER
2004 JEEP LIBERTY
3.7L
V6
4WD
AUTOMATIC
152,000 MILES

After two days of my vehicle listed above (Limited) sitting, I noticed oil leaking out of the valve cover on the passenger side. I can see where the gasket has been replaced on the driver's side. On a scale of 1-10, how hard of a job is this?

5 Replies

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

Good morning,

I would rate it at a 5 or 6 for a first time repair.

There is a lot to move out of the way for the removal. I attached the procedure below for the repair.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-valve-cover-gasket

The book time is 2 hours so I would allow at least 2 times that.

Roy

REMOVAL
1. Disconnect battery negative cable.
2. Remove air cleaner assembly, resonator assembly and air inlet hose.
3. Drain cooling system, below the level of the heater hoses.
4. Remove accessory drive belt.
5. Remove air conditioning compressor retaining bolts and move compressor to the left.
6. Remove heater hoses.
7. Disconnect injector and ignition coil connectors.
8. Disconnect and remove positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) hose.
9. Remove oil fill tube.
10. Un-clip injector and ignition coil harness and move away from cylinder head cover.
11. Remove right rear breather tube and filter assembly
12. Remove cylinder head cover retaining bolts.
13. Remove cylinder head cover.

INSTALLATION

CAUTION: Do not use harsh cleaners to clean the cylinder head covers. Severe damage to covers may occur.

NOTE: The gasket may be used again, provided no cuts, tears, or deformation has occurred.

1. Clean cylinder head cover and both sealing surfaces. Inspect and replace gasket as necessary.
2. Tighten cylinder head cover bolts and double ended studs to 12 Nm (105 in. lbs.).
3. Install right rear breather tube and filter assembly
4. Connect injector, ignition coil electrical connectors and harness retaining clips.
5. Install the oil fill tube.
6. Install PCV hose.
7. Install heater hoses.
8. Install air conditioning compressor retaining bolts.
9. Install accessory drive belt
10. Fill Cooling system
11. Install air cleaner assembly, resonator assembly and air inlet hose.
12. Connect battery negative cable.

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Wednesday, March 17th, 2021 AT 5:01 AM

KLHUDOCK64

MEMBER
91 POSTS

Thanks so much. The instructions you gave are very thorough. I also found a video of a 2005 Jeep Liberty 3.7 6 cylinder passenger side replacement. There is a lot of removals to get to the valve cover as you said. I can see why the previous owner only did the driver's side. It looks like it's easier to get to. Hopefully, by Friday or the weekend, this job should be completed. I have a 250-mile round trip to make on Monday. I will keep you updated on my progress and any additional questions I might have. Again, thanks so much!

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Thursday, March 18th, 2021 AT 1:58 AM

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

You are welcome.

Always glad to help.

Roy

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Thursday, March 18th, 2021 AT 2:05 AM

KLHUDOCK64

MEMBER
91 POSTS

Well, it was around 4 or 5 hours. And that was running to get the gaskets and then a bolt and a some washers. Glad it's out of the way. Clearly I was not told the truth about the job being done the night before I bought it. There was a broken bolt and he actually used JB Weld on the passenger side as a gasket. I'm including a pic of the scrapings. The drivers side will be next where I can see blue Permatex. Smh I don't know what is wrong with some people. If you have to spend all that time removing everything to get to Valve cover gaskets/seals why not do it right the 1st time. He probably didn't want to spend the $60.00 for the gaskets and grommets but that's the price for the set. Well it's done correctly now and next week the Permatex is coming off the drivers side and that's getting done right. Thanks so much for the detailed step by step directions, the links and especially the moral support. This sight is a gold mine and you guys are angels in disguise. Take care and I hope you have a good night.

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