How many times to re-torque the valve cover gasket on an I6 4.0? I just installed a new felpro CORK gasket and retorqued it three times within about an hour, no leaks, but still........just askin'..............

 

Toss that cork gasket out and get silicone and steel gasket. Way better gasket.

 

If it's cork you don't want to smash it- I've only heard of "re-torqueing" the gasket if RTV is involved. The idea is that the RTV dries a little and then tightening the valve cover squeezes it flat. If you've tightened the VC bolts evenly and the cork hasn't split, just fire it up and check for leaks.


The silicone/steel gaskets are far superior, as TeamArctic mentioned. They have cross-sections that hold the long sides of the gasket in place and you can tighten the valve cover bolts much more than you could with cork or RTV (but don't snap them off in the cylinder head!). I don't even use RTV with mine and can remove/install the valve cover regularly without worrying about the seal.

 

I always tighten them once and never had one leak.

 

That's a new one on me......

 

I reckon' I'll just leave it be as is and see how it goes. I see no leaks at all and time will tell. Thanks for the input guys!

 

Reusing cork? Sketchy. Once it compresses a certain amount it will stay compressed. Don't be surprised if it leaks.

The Fel-Pro silicone/steel gasket is the only way to go

 

I didn't reuse it, it's a brand new gasket.

 

Retorqued it three times? Sounds like it's been taken off twice to me

 

Felpro silicone and be good to go...

 

I got it......semantics eh?

OK, I torqued it twice again after initial installation as it seemed to "settle in"..........how's that??

 

Ahhhhhhhhhh

I'd run it until it's a problem. No sense taking it off if it's good.

 

That's what I figure, it's torqued down good, done with a proper pattern, did it all just to settle it in and it's been three days and not a drop of seepage. If for some reason I have to change it someday I'll go silicone. But she looks good now. Maybe after the next 240K. Thanks....

 

As long as you cleaned the head and valve cover mating surface,And the valve cover matting surface isn't bent from being over tighten it shouldn't leak ever.

 

Shouldn't leak ever? Cork gaskets leaking are extremely common.