246k miles. Replacing valve cover gaskets and tube seals. Question is do i need to replace these covers. The rear cover all 3 spark plug tube holes are slightly deformed. It was leaking oil in the middle tube on the rear cover and front cover. Of course the seals were hard plastic now. Front cover tube holes look better but the middle is chipped where the coil goes in. Im no mechanic but sorta hesitant to re-use. Wouldnt these deformations cause issues with the tube seals? I dont wanna piss away money if it isnt necessary but dont wanna do this job again anytime soon either. And in the last pic that pitting in the gasket groove would that possibly cause a leak as well?

 

Valve covers have been poorly casted, mine were the same , the valve seals will fit in fine and the valves seal the on the inside , i was concerned as well but it hasnt leaked yet . I think you’re okay

 

Looks fine, I wouldn't worry about those.

 

really? That wouldnt cause a possible oil leak or other issue?

 

Picture #1) No, that's not holding any oil back. There should never be any oil on the outside of the VC, if you do you have other problems. It's just the coil boot going over that flange.
2-7) Oil seals get pressed into there, which is what prevent the oil from seeping past; NOT the valve covers.
8) That little bump is where a tab on the VC gasket goes to locate the gasket within the VC; that's intentional.

 

yea in photo 8 i wasnt referring to the bump but some of that pitting/scuffs inside where the gasket sits. Wasnt sure if that area has to be absolutely smooth to hold a seal

 

No, it's gaskets and seals that do the sealing; hence their names

It's extremely rare in automotive for the steel surface to be doing any sealing.

 

oh i know lol guess im just overthinking thinking maybe the gasket wouldnt seal it properly if area wasnt totally smooth but ill go ahead and give these another shot

 

It took me replacing my valve cover gaskets twice to realize it wasn't them that were problematic.

It was THESE RUBBER GROMMETS under the washers (they come together) under the stud nuts that hold the VC's down.

 

oh yeah i picked up a set of those

 

I just had the valve cover gaskets and tube seals replaced as well. I went ahead and bought brand new oem bolts (the 8 long / 2 short - 10 total) that came with the washers already on.

https://www.oemacuraparts.com/oem-pa...er-90010p8aa00 x's 8

and

https://www.oemacuraparts.com/oem-pa...er-90012p8aa00 x's 2



If that helps or curious at all

 

thanks. Im using same bolts but cut the grommets off and using new ones. Gonna try and knock out the valve adjustment this week and put a new rear motor mount in while the back cover is off