Valve cover replacement DIY?

**texadelphia** · 01-14-2019 11:01 AM

I've watched some videos and searched through the forums but I can't find anything definitive about the valve cover replacement. It looks pretty straightforward but there seems to be a question mark surrounding the use of silicone sealant. ECS sells a full kit that includes the valve cover, gasket, VAG silicone sealant and thread locker. But in all of the videos I've found, nobody uses sealant or thread locker. I probably just need to buy a Bentley and follow their instructions but does anyone know of a good DIY for this?

**Theiceman** · 01-14-2019 11:06 AM

1. take off all the bolts and hoses you see
2. remove cover and clean
3. replace gasket
4. put it all back

I mean really its that simple . It's a one beer job max on the DIY scale of things.

may be a DIY in the tech articles sticky, not sure

**texadelphia** · 01-14-2019 11:39 AM

So no need for the silicone sealant? On my old Corolla I know it was required for one section where the gasket didn't seat right.

**texadelphia** · 01-14-2019 12:05 PM

Is it worth getting the replacement valve cover from the dealer or getting the OEM replacement from some place like ECS. Dealer with gasket is $350. Same from ECS is $290.

**eurojunkjon** · 01-14-2019 12:15 PM

Parts will be the same. Some ppl have issues with ecs I’ve personally never have had issues. A lot of ppl also use fcp euro due to their parts warranty. Another option for parts is europaparts.

**asg1290** · 01-14-2019 12:22 PM

No need for silicone. I put a little RTV between the gasket and the valve cover in the spots that like to droop down. It helps keep it all lined up when reinstalling. Don't buy an aftermarket one, they are trash even more than the OEM ones. It's not a hard job just some of the hoses can be a pain to pull off.

**eurojunkjon** · 01-14-2019 12:32 PM

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/aud...vag-06d103469n

**marakalastic** · 01-14-2019 01:46 PM

Don't mean to piggy back on this post but are there any time estimates to replacing the cam girdle sealant/gasket for the 3.2? I did find one post but it wasn't too it wasn't too detailed. Its the one underneath the valve cover gasket that goes around the spark plug wells