Will valve covers leak if gaskets reused?

[shoon]

planning on doing top end 60k with shims chains and tensioners... replaced valve cover gaskets 10,000km ago, wondering if I can reuse them or if I need to replace?

Thanks!

Shaun

 

[RStalveyARFF]

You can reuse them if you're really in a bind, but for the $75 it is for a whole new set it's worth the piece of mind. Even with a new set though, be sure to RTV the hard corners.

 

[SHO GoDz 89]

Yes you can reuse them. I just painted my valve covers, I was very careful not to crack the gaskets when removing them. I also added some Ultra Black RTV all around to ensure a good seal. No leaks at all.

Just take the RTV and smear a thin layer along the boarder of the head, and on the bottom of the gaskets.

Remember to be very very careful when removing them and add any RTV where it might leak.

 

[yamahaSHO]

Being fairly new, you'll be able to reuse them provided you do not damage them.

 

[Redneck1465]

Personally I wouldnt do it but its up to you. If you do make sure you use the sealant in the areas that commonly leak.

 

[yamahaSHO]

At only 10,000 km, it's waisting money to buy new ones. You should easily be able to determine the condition of the seals. They are rubber and not compressed too much in operation.

It's kind of like reusing a tire... If it looks good, use it.

 

[SHObill]

Take the rear VC gasket, the far rear part of seal, with both hands about 1" apart bend the seal 180* & if any cracks replace!

 

[SHOZ123]

If the seals are hard then soak them in some lacquer thinner until they are pliable. This will pull the carbon out of them and soften them up. After they are pliable again soak them in some oil to pull the lacquer thinner out of them. Then install.

I've never bought a set of VC gaskets for either the V6 or the V8.

 

[93rev2sev]

^^^^

And bingo was his name-o.

 

[SHOZ123]

This only works on the rubber type gaskets and if they are otherwise in good shpe with no tears and cracks.

And for you fools that slather silicone all over them this will help in removing it. As the rubber swells it breaks the bond of the silicone and you can usually rub/peel it off.

Now if you are really cheap you can then filter the lacquer thinner through some coffee filters then put it in your gas tank of back in a jug to reuse. It nice to start with clean thinner as you can see how much carbon gets pulled out. I use Rislone for the oil and reuse it too for the gaskets.

 

[93rev2sev]

If you end up NOT re-using them...PM me. I'll be glad to have em.

 

[beaudeen]

Great tip on gasket reuse..how long do you have to soak them...hopefully not days as I'd probably forget how to put the engine back together..lol

 

[tompumped]

I agree, great tip.
I was going to put silicone all over and reuse mine.
What about the tube seals? I don't remember if you are supposed to put silicone on both sides or just the one. Do you soak them too? I would just buy gaskets, but i'm almost 3k into this money pit.

 

[SHOZ123]

This works with all the rubber gaskets. Actually I believe they are silicone but not sure. Soak time depends on how hard they are to start with.

You need to soak them long enough to get them slightly softer than what a new one is. May take a couple hours to a day.

 

[89SHO X2]

i reused them and cleaned them well before installing them. i sealed them with black permatex and had no more leaks.

 

[TRicker]

you don't have to use a bead of rtv all around. these things don't take much to seal. as long as the rubber is still soft and not torn, your golden. the only places you need RTV is anywhere there is a break in the gasket surface, like where two parts mate together (if you have any spots like that on a SHO head)