Valve cover gaskets

[mr_g]

Do you guys use silicone when you change your valve cover gaskets? When I first did my oil change I noticed my passenger side valve cover was leaking oil and my driver side valve cover was fine. Recently I did my valve cover gaskets and after I got done I let my car idled for a little bit and looked under the car and my passenger side valve cover was still leaking oil, I then checked my driver side valve cover and they were not leaking. I am doing something wrong here? I didnt use a torque wrench just hand tighten it, didnt have one at the time. What is the manufacturer specifications torque anyways? Just confused as to why the old and new gaskets did not leak on the driver side and it leaked on the passenger side. The new gaskets on the passenger side seem to be worse because its leaking more then the old ones. Maybe I really didnt do it right or something. Any help would be great thanks.

[green97gt]

maybe something on the mating surface? if i remember right the FSM does call for RTV or whatever on the sharp angles and around the little plastic pieces.

[mr_g]

Does anyone know where I can find some RTV and gasket makers?

[green97gt]

autozone, napa, advance auto, bumper to bumper, Orielys, checker, carquest, CSK auto, pep boys, fisher auto, ABC auto, benny's auto, bennet auto, allied auto, autocraft, etc etc etc etc etc etc. im sure i missed some.

any local parts store.

[ScaryFatKidGT]

Id highly recommend torquing every thing

[99gtlimited]

torque spec is very low for those bolts (~6lbft) i believe, so don't over tighten them, they will break or strip the threads in the cylinder head.

Make sure everything is extremely clean. use RTV in sharp corners and Gasket maker on the flat surfaces. Don't start the car too soon afterwards either, give the sealants a chance to harden and do their job, before oil is pushed by.

[mr_g]

What is the correct way to apply the rtv and gasket maker? Do you guys fill the valve cover with rtv and gasket maker then put the gasket in and apply it again on top of it and bolt it back on the head, or do you just put the gasket in the valve cover then appy rtv and gasket maker on top of it and bolt it back on the head? Also once you applied the rtv and gasket maker are you suppose to bolt it back on the head immediately?

[ouch1011]

Don't apply anything (RTV, gasket sealant, etc) to the flat surfaces of the gasket. Only use a dab of RTV on the sharp corners or over gaps. People often misuse RTV, and applying it to a flat section of a rubber gasket is a perfect example. It'll either make a leak or a big mess. Make sure everything is very clean.

I'd suggest getting either one of the online service manuals you can download, or a Haynes manual for your car.