Gasket is reusable and stays in place you'll see how it works when you open it up.

 

The gaskets and harnesses are re-usable as long as they are in good condition.

I have never done it, but as I understand it the engine is started and left to idle or fast idle to operating temperature with the following parts removed from the truck.

1. Valve covers
2. CAC tubes
3. Intake tube

Everything else is connected. Ensure that no tools, rags or debris are near the engine when it is warming up.

 

Alright. Thanks.

 

Replacing the gasket isn't necessary as long as it doesn't leak oil, none of the connectors are burned or melted, and all the plugs and injector solenoids ohm out properly.

The 42-pin harness is not actually connected to the valve cover.

 

Oh ok. Someone told me that it's molded into the valve cover. I didn't think that made sense but stranger things have happened.

 

The wiring for the glow plugs and injector solenoids are molded into the valve cover gasket. Perhaps that's what they were talking about.

 

Do the CAC tubes have to be completely removed or just undone on the topside?

 

It's not molded but there is a bracket that supports the connector. You have to remove the bracket (it's on the driver's side) to get the valve covers off. This bracket is what the 42-pin connector mounts to.

You m-i-g-h-t be able to get the driver's side valve cover off by loosening the clamps on the driver's side and only removing the spider connection but I've never done it. There's no way you'll get the passenger's side cover off without removing the CAC tube. Even with removing the oil filler tube (check the o-ring if you do to see how swollen it is...you might want to spend a couple of bucks for a new one) it takes some maneuvering. If you loosen the A/C bracket and let it hang forward a little bit that helps but I've not done that. I have a lower alternator and that additional bracket complicates anything I do on that side (valve covers, EBP tube).

 

Are the CAC tubes what people complain about being a nightmare to reinstall or are they talking about something else?

 

You might be thinking of the up-pipes, baby butt and turbo lining up issue. The CAC tubes are really quite easy. Sometimes I have to fight with the spider boot on the drivers side, but it is not hard at all.

 

That's does ring a bell. Thanks.

 

Alright, didn't get to do this the last week or so because I got a bad cold or something. Is there any reason to not clean things before I take the covers off with brake cleaner? That's normally what we use here but we normally work on machinery without wires and other fun stuff. I've heard of people using mean green or some such.

 

It's way easier to clean the valve covers with them off. It's Simple Green that everyone here loves. Me included. Old toothbrush and a coupe rolls of paper towels, good tunes n a touch of patience

 

Gotcha. I was halfway there. I'll give the covers and tubes a good cleaning while I have them removed. Thanks!

 

I would clean up around edges of valve covers & any big accumulation that might fall in to valve train during removal,I always keep air blower handy to quickly dry brake clean around sensitive wire/components.