Parts Geek- Head gasket replacement
 

Hello all! So, just recently I got my first jeep =D a 1991 Cherokee Laredo!

Needless to say, it does have its fair share of issues. I am pretty new to working on cars, but am pretty interested. Anyway, now for the point of this thread: There is an oil leak. The engine is pretty dirty, and I have sprayed about $25 worth of degreaser into it, which has kinda worked. Soon, hopefully, I will be taking it to one of those self help carwash places to really spray it down... so, I am not sure where exactly the leak is coming from.

I googled it, and found some helpful threads, and have pretty much concluded that it is coming from the back of the valve cover, which I read is pretty common, so I want to (eventually) replace the gasket there. When I googled it, I found some $30 options, some $70 options, and this website,

http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/199...er_gasket.html

for $5. I know that it is the cork gasket, but, basically, my question is, have any of you used this website, and do they have good parts n things. I am a college student on a college budget, and cheap is good! haha

Oh, and one last question, I have a big ol hole in my muffler, is it bad to pull a muffler off a parts car (that is used) so I can get it to pass emissions? (for some reason I got it in my head that used mufflers were bad...)

Thanks, ahead of time!

Did you very carefully and gingerly check the bolts for tightness?

I've used the cork and they're not leaking. My preference is for the felpro expensive one. Clean the valve cover and head surface squaky clean. Using some Permatex or GasgaCinch, glue the valve cover gasket to the valve cover and let it sit for a bit with the bolts through the holes to keep the gasket aligned. Smear a little bit of grease on the gasket where it's gonna touch the head and install it. Don't get like a gorilla on the bolts. "Wrist tight" if you know what I mean.

Just so you know, it's a "valve cover gasket", not a "head gasket".

I wouldn't waste my time with a used muffler.

I still have my original metal gasket, but i covered the thing in silicon for a better fit and haven't had any leaks since.

although i do find it easy as hell to snap the valve cover bolts.

Learn "wrist tight" I have not snapped a valve cover bolt in 25 years.

dont waste your time with the cork gasket. cork gaskets have to be replaced EVERYTIME you remove the part and even then they leak like the devil

No, cruiser54, I have not checked the tightness, so that would probably be a good place to start. Ok, so do you think it would work to just put some rtv on the gasket thats on there now, and that would seal it up?

belvedere, whoops, sorry, thanks for the catch...is there anything bad with using a used one? I know it's not ideal, but all i need to do is pass emissions, then I'm good for 2 years (i think)

sorry, one more question, is there a way to rename the thread? i want to fix that "head gasket" issue....

You're gonna need to replace the gasket if tightening it up doesn't work. No need to slather RTV on any gasket. Cork will work fine for your purpose if you follow the guidelines I previously mentioned.

No need to rename the thread. I think everyone's onboard.

My new avitar.

ROFLMAO!!

Need a new username to go with it. Framtard?

This is the only Fram I'll use:

Attachment 335844

Careful how you hold it after use. The Spam anti-drainback valve won't hold and you'll have a handful of it.

Will do - thanks for the warning!

No, there's nothing inherently bad with a used muffler as long as it's in good condition and the pipes aren't cinched from the clamps, making it difficult/impossible to slide on.