KBell

This weekends project.
Also, this is my first attempt at uploading a picture.

Kevin

Ed Burdell

Mine are doing that. Badly. Valve covers.

jnnking

I replaced mine last fall. It was not a bad job and I'm glad I did it. Ordered new gaskets and new bolts.

KBell

I have the new gaskets and bolts ready.
I was able to loosen ALL of the bolts without much problem.
I'm just alittle nervious about the level of torque to put on the new bolts.
I'm afraid I will tighten them to tight.
Not enough room for a torque wrench.

Kevin

jnnking

I had the same concern. I figured I could always tighten them more, so I was careful not to over tighten. After I had it all together, I wiped everything clean and went for a drive. I found both sides leaked just a bit, so I gave them about another half turn. That did the trick, no more leaks.

KBell

Thanks Jim

CaptainGSR

Tighten with a regular allen key until you feel like you can twist it anymore, then a further 1/4 turn with an allen socket and bigger wrench, should give you around 7ft.lbs. (I measured that with an expensive torque wrench)

M. Schneider

How many hours did you spend on the Valve Covers R&R? I too have bought the gasket set (Sunset) however didn't consider replacing the bolts. In retrospect replaceing the bolts is a good idea. TIA

jnnking

I did it last spring so don't recall exactly. Started on a sunny Saturday morning and was done quicker than I expected. Maybe 2 hours, start it finish.

M. Schneider

Really,,, two hours of so if you recall. A local N. Atlanta shop is quoting 8 hours for the (edit: upper and lower) all valve cover gasket R&R - when hearing this I took a double take. The same shop is quoting 6 hours for an R&R of the ignition wires. And yes this for our 993 motor. Go figure.

I'm attempting to get the factory service times for these two procedures
EDIT: 6 hours for all valve cover R&R (upper & lower)
5 hours ignition wire set R&R (complete Beru dressed set)
Data per Porsche Cars North America 1/9/2010

jnnking

Maybe it just seems like 2 hours at this point. :-) I had done the ignition wires and plugs previously, so the removal of the muffler on the passenger side was easier than if it had not been off before. Much of the other items had been off before too, so there wasn't much trouble getting to everything. I'm sure it wasn't 6 or 8 hour. I guess it could have been a little longer than that but certainly not 6 or even 8.

KBell

Hey Mike, I took me a long time. I was in no hurry. Spent alot of time cleaning.
Not a bad DIY, just take your time.

Kevin

JM993

8 hours for a Valve Cover gasket R&R is a ripoff. In my opinion you should find another mechanic.

timothymoffat

Maybe they're quoting upper and lower VC gaskets?

Did the lowers on my 97 in September (OK, I'm a liar. I supplied beer and watched the guy who did them.) and took roughly 2 1/2 hours including removing mufflers. Looked fairly straightforward (says the guy who watched).

M. Schneider

Thanks Kevin, et al ~ I did the spark plugs/distributor cap/rotor in the spring of '08 only to add the LMPP muffler modification because well,,, I’m here already why not. Agreed,,, take your time, clean things up as you mosey along attending to the heart of the 993. Time to dust off the factory 6 binder service set!