should I clean or replace valve cover due to oil leak
09-06-2012, 10:15 PM
#1
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0l V6
should I clean or replace valve cover due to oil leak
Im not the most mechanically inclined, and was in at auto zone when the guy working there told me I had a "nasty oil leak". he said it was probably the valve cover, and that i should clean it, scrape out the old caked on oil and re-seal it with silicone. this looks/sounds kind of daunting if i do it myself. If i take it to a shop whats a fair price? If i do decide to do it, whats the best plan of attack? I see new valve covers on ebay for $100... thanks for the help
09-06-2012, 10:20 PM
#2
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You don't need a new valve cover. Just the gasket. It's a simple job only pain is one of the bolts is in a tricky place. If you wanted to you could use silicone to seal it if you wanna cheapo it but I would get a new gasket
09-06-2012, 10:34 PM
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Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
You need to look at your oil filter adapter too. If a o ring is cracked, it will leak as well. Just sayin it may not be just the valve cover. The valve cover is not hard, just a few bolts and youll have to disconnect or move a few things around to get to the bolts. Get a 5 gallon bucket and about 1 gallon of diesel and a good brush to clean the cover. Purple Stuff cleaner or Greased Litening cleaner works too but its real rough on the hands and does not work as well as diesel. It is definately a DIY project. 1 hour tops.
09-06-2012, 11:20 PM
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Felpro Valve Cover Gasket, don't waste your time with anything else.
took me 40 mins from start to finish and I CLEANED everything... I'm a little OCD
took me 40 mins from start to finish and I CLEANED everything... I'm a little OCD
Last edited by Gee oh Dee; 09-07-2012 at 12:33 PM.
09-06-2012, 11:30 PM
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If you don't have a set of hand tools now is a good time to get some!
Do it yourself because its only about a $10 job. maybe $50 if you have to buy some tools. A shop is going to probably charge at least $200 prolly $300.
Its really simple.
Remove bolts for the throttle linkage
Remove hose off valve cover or the whole pcv tube.
Remove bolts from valve cover
Take a wire brush or wheel to the mating surface, being not to let too much junk in the engine (I stuff paper towels all around it.)
Clean mating surfaces until shiny.
Reinstall valve cover using a new (FelPro) gasket NOT silicone.
Reinstall other parts.
Done.
You can also use brake cleaner to clean off the valve cover but don't use it on the engine block because it'll get in your oil. And that's no good.
Do it yourself because its only about a $10 job. maybe $50 if you have to buy some tools. A shop is going to probably charge at least $200 prolly $300.
Its really simple.
Remove bolts for the throttle linkage
Remove hose off valve cover or the whole pcv tube.
Remove bolts from valve cover
Take a wire brush or wheel to the mating surface, being not to let too much junk in the engine (I stuff paper towels all around it.)
Clean mating surfaces until shiny.
Reinstall valve cover using a new (FelPro) gasket NOT silicone.
Reinstall other parts.
Done.
You can also use brake cleaner to clean off the valve cover but don't use it on the engine block because it'll get in your oil. And that's no good.
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09-07-2012, 11:07 AM
#10
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Year: 1999
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Hi Rob - in the picture about half way down you have 3 cables crossing across the engine. Do you know what they are, I don't have the middle one on my jeep.
09-07-2012, 11:14 AM
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Oh and you need pics?
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/v...-pics-1121533/
I understand sometimes seeing something does more than just reading it.
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/v...-pics-1121533/
I understand sometimes seeing something does more than just reading it.
09-07-2012, 11:50 AM
#14
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Check out what a neglected valve cover gasket leak did to my engine, and how I fixed it and the mess it caused:
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/pro...w-pics-147674/
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/pro...w-pics-147674/
09-07-2012, 03:23 PM
#15
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Year: 2001
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I don't think valve cover is needed. I started engine w/o it and oil was not going anywhere. Cover can't leak, if it is removed. 
this is 4.7 engine, it needs cover:
this is 4.7 engine, it needs cover:
Last edited by car5car; 09-07-2012 at 03:49 PM.