How to Repair the Valve Cover Gasket

A valve pan cover gasket is the part of a car's engine that seals the joint between the valve pan and the engine. If the gasket becomes damaged or cracked it can cause oil to leak from the engine. The valve pan cover gasket on a 2001 Jeep Cherokee Laredo with a 4.0-liter engine can be fairly easily replaced with a new one if it fails and starts to leak. The procedure is a relatively simple one, requiring the user to follow basic instructions. No special tools are necessary.

Things You'll Need

  • Rubber covered mallet
  • Set of sockets
  • Plastic scraper
  • Replacement valve cover gasket
  • Open the hood of the car and secure it so it remains open. Find the valve cover which will be at the top of the engine.

  • Pull off the breather hoses from the valve cover. Remove the spark plug wire loom clips from the valve cover by pulling them off. Unscrew the valve cover retaining bolts by turning them counterclockwise using a socket.

  • Tap the valve cover gently with a rubber mallet to loosen it. Remove the cover by pulling it away from the engine.

  • Scrape away any old gasket debris from the engine and the valve cover with the plastic scraper taking care not to scratch the metal. Clean the sealing surfaces thoroughly by wiping with a rag.

  • Insert the new gasket into the valve cover and place the entire valve cover back onto the engine. Screw the retaining bolts on the valve cover with a socket in a clockwise direction until the retaining bolts are securely tight.

  • Replace the spark plug wire looms back on the valve cover. Replace the breather hoses on the valve cover again by pushing them into place.

  • Start the engine of the car. Check to make sure there are no leaks occurring.