Cleaning the Valve Cover - Should i?

[Spetznaaz]

Just taken my valve cover off to fix some bits and was wondering if i should clean it? It is full of gunk. Not sure if it's recommended or not and can't seem to find much info searching.

All i would really have to use is Engine and Machine degreaser which is apparently safe to use on plastic. Can't go out anywhere as car is obviously out of service and it's making me uncomfortable knowing the engine is all exposed so want to get it back on asap.

It worries me that i will loosen bits of gunk up inside but not fully remove it all which will then get circulated into the engine.

[Cyrik]

If you're talking about the PCV channels that go through the valve cover... yes, you can absolutely clean it. You can use that engine degreaser stuff or brake clean to do so. If you're unsure you got it all out, you can always use an air compressor to blow it all out. Easy peasy.

Also put a couple towels/shop rags over the exposed valvetrain if you're worried about dirt and stuff falling in there.

[Spetznaaz]

That's what i mean yeah. Is it okay to use brake cleaner then? I do have some of that as well but always thought you should avoid using it on plastics.

Don't have access to an air compressor sadly, i do have an electric air blower i use for cleaning dust out of computers, moderately powerful but not designed to have any sort of back pressure.. not sure if that would be any good or not?

I've put a bin liner over it and a towel on top, still makes me uncomfortable knowing how exposed it is lol

[Cyrik]

That's what i mean yeah. Is it okay to use brake cleaner then? I do have some of that as well but always thought you should avoid using it on plastics.

Don't have access to an air compressor sadly, i do have an electric air blower i use for cleaning dust out of computers, moderately powerful but not designed to have any sort of back pressure.. not sure if that would be any good or not?

I've put a bin liner over it and a towel on top, still makes me uncomfortable knowing how exposed it is lol

Ah I gotcha. Air blower for cleaning computers probably won't work well, but I bet a can of compressed air would work decent, not to mention your own mouth but that's kinda gross 😂

Never heard of brake cleaner being a problem with plastic since it evaporates so quickly but I'm no engineer. I really wouldn't stress too much about this as well, since it's most likely gonna get dirty again within a couple oil changes.

And regarding your exposed valvetrain... remember, oil filters exist for a reason. Don't Panic! 👍

[esandes]

What oil do you use and how often do you change it?

[Spetznaaz]

Ah I gotcha. Air blower for cleaning computers probably won't work well, but I bet a can of compressed air would work decent, not to mention your own mouth but that's kinda gross 😂

Never heard of brake cleaner being a problem with plastic since it evaporates so quickly but I'm no engineer. I really wouldn't stress too much about this as well, since it's most likely gonna get dirty again within a couple oil changes.

And regarding your exposed valvetrain... remember, oil filters exist for a reason. Don't Panic! 👍

Thanks man, i'm gonna get to cleaning it today, then hopefully get it back on the car once i've fixed the PCV screw holes.

What oil do you use and how often do you change it?

I use Mobil 1 0W40 and i should be changing every 5k however i've been a bit lax recently and haven't changed in probably 8k. My plan is to change it tomorrow after the valve cover is back on. The oil coming off the valve cover is very black which is quite worrying, there didn't seem to be too much wear (that i can tell) on the camshaft lobes which i'm guessing is good.

Edit - Also on a side note my coil packs were covered in rust and some had black gunk on the end, i'm guessing the gunk is burnt oil and the rust is from when the previous owner cleaned the engine bay.

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[esandes]

How old is the valvecover gasket? If it's bad/old oil can leak down into the sparkplug well. I'd recommend a new gasket and bolts.

Pennzoil platinum euro 0w40 has the most detergents out of all leading oils. Give it a try to help keep things clean. If you look on YouTube (project farm) pennzoil platinum outperforms all major oil brands.

[Spetznaaz]

How old is the valvecover gasket? If it's bad/old oil can leak down into the sparkplug well. I'd recommend a new gasket and bolts.

Pennzoil platinum euro 0w40 has the most detergents out of all leading oils. Give it a try to help keep things clean. If you look on YouTube (project farm) pennzoil platinum outperforms all major oil brands.

I've got it back on the car now - Put a new gasket in (old one was hard and cracking) however i reused the old bolts as they are £6 each which is ridiculous. I cleaned them all up thoroughly and they all feel okay. Also put in a new PCV and gasket. It was ridiculously hard cleaning the mating surface on the cylinder head, couldn't get the stains out but it feel smooth.. time will tell. Just need to change the oil now, i'll check that one out. Also one very odd thing - i stripped the threads on one of the valve cover PCV holes a while ago, i was planning on repairing it. When i unscrewed the PCV some weird like threads came out and yet the screw seems to screw in fine now... very odd.

Car seems very loud though, the awful ticking seems louder than before and something just sounds off, not sure if i'm being paranoid or not. Also didn't fix the whistling i am having sadly.