Remove Valve Cover

[Nomad]

Hey all, I am replacing my valve cover gasket on a 1991 Civic 1.5 twin carb. The cover is stuck fast as it looks like the old one was installed with sealant. What is the best way to pry it off?? Also once off, I have to replace the plug tube seals. Are the tubes attached to the valve cover or the head?? If they are attached to the valve cover, how do you remove them to replace the seals?? Thanks guys for ya help.

[EK1.6LCIV]

if it's similar to the d16y8 valve/tappet cover the tube seals are in the cover itself and are easily pryed off, I'd order them in first before trying to remove the valve cover as it's one of those things I can't see a local dealer having in stock.

Once all the bolts are off it should come off with a bit a light force, it should be hard to get off on the side where the timing cover is as that's where alot of workshops focus their sealant so try going at it from the left side :)

[bennjamin]

IF the cam cover is truly undone , and all bits are out of teh way -

give it a light tap from the side/s with a ruber mallet. IT will eventually crack and pop off.
Or , try a large flathead screwdriver and lever it under one edge. This will crack to too.

Watch not to drop the gasket , or O rings into the head when lifting !

[EK1.6LCIV]

x2 and on old cars, like some older SR Nissan's the gasket maybe in a few pieces, best to order in a new gasket as well just to be safe as theyre under $20 new :)

and don't over tighten the torque on the bolts! They only need 7 ft lb. like most Jap cars, use a torque wrench :)

[~Sp33~]

and don't over tighten the torque on the bolts! They only need 7 ft lb. like most Jap cars, use a torque wrench :)


Yeah i learned that the hard way a few years ago.

[bennjamin]

and don't over tighten the torque on the bolts! They only need 7 ft lb. like most Jap cars, use a torque wrench :)


Be EXTREMELY careful when doing this when the engine is HOT or even WARM.

The Bolts can easily snap if you even tighten to spec...alloy is soft when hot so be careful !

[EK1.6LCIV]

yea, I would recommend leaving the car over night and doing it on a Sat morning, lol

the bolts cost a bucket load if you were to snap them all (I only know as I was going to buy new ones and washers to tidy up the bay, ended up just polishing the tops of mine instead lol), more than half the price of a good second hand running d16y8 lol

[~Sp33~]

yea, I would recommend leaving the car over night and doing it on a Sat morning, lol

the bolts cost a bucket load if you were to snap them all (I only know as I was going to buy new ones and washers to tidy up the bay, ended up just polishing the tops of mine instead lol), more than half the price of a good second hand running d16y8 lol

You can pick up the exact ones at Bunnings for spare change.

[EK1.6LCIV]

part numbers please, that's very handy info buddy, Bunnings is huge and the last time I was there they're not much of bolt specialists as they sent me to Bolt King in Tingalpa for a simple fitting, lol

[~Sp33~]

I don't know the part number :/

[Nomad]

Hi, is there a sequence for tightening the four crown nuts? I don't have a torque wrench, so can I tighten them by feel alone?

[EK1.6LCIV]

there is no sequence as the space they're restraining is soo bloody close together and when any of the bolts reach 7ft lbs. it won't deviate at all

if you have no torque wrench (seriously get one, they're only 50 at super cheap and you'll use it for oil changes, removing wheels and tightening most of everything on the engine) just do them up by hand using the socket and the slightest nip on each, hell prob a 1/4 turn at the very most once it grabs