Bigelow965

About to replace the valve cover gasket on my '96 XJ for the first time and wondered if anyone had any advice. Already have Felpro gasket so we're good there.

RTorrez1

Is it the blue rubber Felpro gasket?If so you got the good one. Don't use any RTV. It's not needed for the rubber gasket. I don't recall what the torque in inch-pounds is required. You can do a search on it and you should be able to find it. What ever you do make sure that it is INCH-POUNDS and not foot-pounds.

Bigelow965

Yeah that's the one, blue felpro. Inch-pounds def noted. I'll get out the old FSM for the actual torque numbers.

It's a nice little gasket package. $40 bucks but it came with grommets.

RTorrez1

Yeah, You pay a little more for the Felpro but it is worth it.

Muaddib420

Couple of things I noticed changing mine that may help you. First, you can disconnect the two CCV connections at the far end away from the valve cover. The connections are brittle and will probably break if you try to pry them off. If they're leaking you may consider getting two new ones anyways. One feeds into the throttle body and one into the air box.

Second, you may need to move one of the radiator hose clamps to get clearance to get the valve cover off.

JackJare9455

i think bimmer did a good write up here somewhere... LOL

serious note, its easy, I did it in my back yard in no time, just have some stuff ready to clean the valve cover with, maybe a few razor blades to scrape the head surface with..

this is a great time to replace the temperature sending unit for the coolant gauge if you feel the need..

also a great time to change the breathers and grommets for the valve cover as mentioned above.. the breathers look similar but are different...

other than that, i believe i disconnected the throttle cables and tucked them out of the way.. made it easy to pull... only takes a second..

have fun!

cruiser54

Good advice, except for Bummerjeeper's write-up.........

JackJare9455

hah just figured id throw in some humor...

Bigelow965

Thanks for the info yall.

Looked it up in the old FSM but I can't tell if I'm looking at the right number. I think the FSM calls the valve cover something different.

Anybody know the torque values for the valve cover retaining bolts on a '96 XJ 4.0?

MonacaYankee

Don't worry about torque specs. Just tighten until snug. Use two fingers plus thumb, not whole hand, on the ratchet.


Use a ratchet, extension, angle socket, and a long 11mm for the back driver side nut.

Tilt the valve cover down on passenger side and up on the driver side, slide it over the wire rail or the injectors and over the valves. Should come right out and back in. Any other way and the valve cover hits the cooling hoses or top of the valve springs.

freegdr

Dont throw out the spacer around your bolts you might need them in new grommets unsure on you year ...jm2cw..Valve cover gasket bolts are snug them down then just a tad tighter preferably using 1/4 drive set up . No need for 1/2 drive rachet here ...

cruiser54

Works for me!!

DSFB 96XJ

Chilton's say's, " 85inch lbs or 10nm". However that is for using rtv i am putting blue felpro on my 96 4.0,l. Should i still go with the 85 inch ilbs and does anyone know the conversion for inch ilbs to ft ilbs? Ty

cruiser54

Wrist tight on a ratchet. Carry on.

cliffy

What Cruiser said or divide 85/12, also if your valve cover has the flutes inside take a look on the Cruiser 25 items list. It is a simple mod to do since you are going to have the cover off.