FastDoc
01-17-2014, 12:47 PM
Last night I replaced a very leaky valve cover gasket on Linda's Aveo. I changed the serpentine belt also.
I was pleasantly surprised how easy it was to change the belt. Remove a little access panel in the wheelwell, put a wrench on the idler pulley and slacken and remove the belt. Put the new one on before you forget how it fits, replace the panel and you're done. Including jacking the front end up it only took about 20 minutes. Much better than the old style V belts.
The gasket was easy enough. It leaked terribly. The spark plug holes were filled with oil almost to the top of the plugs! Gross!
To get it out I removed the plugs, let the oil drain into the cylinder. Then a solvent soaked rag to clean out the openings, cleaned and reinstalled the plugs. Some smoke on startup I'll tell you what but otherwise an effective technique.
I was surprised the OEM valve cover gasket was so badly degraded.
Took 2 hours total. She brought pizza and beer. I had a Blue Moon. Very nice.
I was pleasantly surprised how easy it was to change the belt. Remove a little access panel in the wheelwell, put a wrench on the idler pulley and slacken and remove the belt. Put the new one on before you forget how it fits, replace the panel and you're done. Including jacking the front end up it only took about 20 minutes. Much better than the old style V belts.
The gasket was easy enough. It leaked terribly. The spark plug holes were filled with oil almost to the top of the plugs! Gross!
To get it out I removed the plugs, let the oil drain into the cylinder. Then a solvent soaked rag to clean out the openings, cleaned and reinstalled the plugs. Some smoke on startup I'll tell you what but otherwise an effective technique.
I was surprised the OEM valve cover gasket was so badly degraded.
Took 2 hours total. She brought pizza and beer. I had a Blue Moon. Very nice.