Valve Cover Gaskets - 91 Explorer

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Jul 8, 2004 | 08:44 AM

ejscarfo

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From: Islip, NY

Valve Cover Gaskets - 91 Explorer

Anyone ever replaced a set of these on the 4.0? The left side looks easy, but the right side looks like a nightmare. Any feedback or tips? Mine are leaking and I'd like to fix them before they mess up my new driveway.

Thanks.

Jul 8, 2004 | 09:42 AM

Steven@nd

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From: North Dakota

You have to remove the upper intake plenum to get one of the valve covers off. Also have to remove coil packs, move AC pump out of the way and a couple other things. A mechanic friend and I spent about 3 hours to put the gaskets in my 92...

Jul 8, 2004 | 10:32 AM

ejscarfo

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From: Islip, NY

Yikes, sounds like a lot of work. Might pay to farm it out to my mechanic.

Jul 8, 2004 | 05:35 PM

marragtop

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From: Baltimore

Have you tried tightening the valve cover bolts? Dumb question, but possibly an easy fix.....

Jul 8, 2004 | 07:27 PM

Steven@nd

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From: North Dakota

Here, go to this page and scroll down to valve cover gaskets - they claim you don't have to remove intake plenum...

http://www.glue.umd.edu/~singletn/exp.html

Jul 9, 2004 | 10:41 AM

ejscarfo

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From: Islip, NY

I haven't tried to tighten the bolts yet. I thought about it, but didn't want to warp the covers and make the leak worse. These are probably the original gaskets so I can't complain I guess. If this were a Chevy, I'd be through 5 sets by now.

I plan to clean off the bottom and top of the engine so I can trace where the leak is exactly and fix it at the source. I am pretty sure its the cover because I can smell oil burning off the exhaust at times so the leak is definitely up top somewhere.

Sep 24, 2004 | 08:03 PM

94FordExploder

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I've got good news and bad news

I've done several of these not a problem. No need to touch intake. Remove the belt and four bolts on the a/c pump and just lay it to the side. Use a 1/4" drive craftsman rachet 10" extension and 10MM socket. The only tricky one is against the firewall you need a 4" extension for that one. A little bit of wiggling and it will slide straight out the front. To put it back in use Permatex high tac (only on one side of the gasket) and stick it to the valve cover. The reason for just one side is in the future you may have to remove it. I think you can figure out the rest.

Now for the bad news. It is a very common problem, it is not the gasket that is leaking. The valve covers rot out. Usually on left side. So I recommend changing the entire cover. Also stinks really bad.