Hey guys.

I replaced my valve cover gasket about 10k miles ago along with my spark plugs on my M54 engine.

It looks like it's leaking again from a front cam seal and also from around the backside somewhere.

With only installing it about 10k miles ago, is it okay to remove, clean and re-install? (with RTV again) (vs buying a new gasket)

Thanks!

 

Assuming the leak is really from the valve cover gasket, I wouldn't reuse existing gasket. Given the amount of time and effort needed to replace the gasket, it's not worth reusing the gasket. Did you use a good torque wrench to tighten the valve cover bolts?

 

pcy is right get new gaskets ,,,, and make sure u dont overtighten the bolts...

 

K, probably the smartest move.

Yeah, I used a torque wrench to torque them to the specs in the Bentley. Maybe I didn't apply enough RTV or cover enough surface area.

Thanks!

 

Need to apply good enough RTV if the mating area is not flat ( Ex: 1/2 moon).
Also don't settle w/ regular RTV, so far I use this Toyota FIPG which supposedly gives the best seal out there:
Toyota Seal Packing Fipg | eBay

 

Can over tightening cause a leak?... I changed my upper timing case covers now I have a leak I didn't have before I did the job.

 

Over-tightening the bolts will result in deforming the gasket. That results in leak.

 

Understood.... I'm going check everything again. Thanks for the info.

 

If I think I've done that is it best to just get another gasket or just check the torque.

 

Yes,, big time leaks,,, will crush and can actually tear the gasket... make sure u get the correct tork specs and tighten them with the correct bolt pattern