Valve Cover Gaskets

davew833 · #1 01-31-2007, 10:50 AM

Does anyone sell an aftermarket full valve cover gasket set with the grommets, etc? Does Subaru even sell this as a set, or do I have to figure out and order the individual gaskets separately? Thanks.

huck369 · #2 01-31-2007, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davew833

Does anyone sell an aftermarket full valve cover gasket set with the grommets, etc? Does Subaru even sell this as a set, or do I have to figure out and order the individual gaskets separately? Thanks.

I've always had to order them seperate from Subaru....and make sure YOU count the bolt gromments, as Subaru will short you on them, as their list must be wrong, as they've shorted me every time I order a set.

dcarrb · #3 01-31-2007, 02:36 PM

Check with NAPA. I had mine replaced awhile back and I'm thinking my mechanic said the gaskets and rubber seals came as a kit.

dcb

STORMINORMAN · #4 02-12-2007, 12:38 PM

...be replaced individually without removing the valve cover itself? Must they be pried off or removed from the interior surface?

i.e., If not leaking from the gaskets, can you just remove one bolt, put on a new grommet, etc.?

Thanks, guys!

davew833 · #5 02-12-2007, 01:09 PM

Yes, they can be pried off and replaced from the front. Just remove the bolt and pull or pry them off. Shouldn't be hard at all.

STORMINORMAN · #6 02-12-2007, 01:57 PM

...how often do black rubber (neoprine?) circular gaskets actually leak? In the case of those where there is rotational movement (oil seals) I can see where friction, dirt, etc. can tear them down. But, what about the gaskets for the valve covers? Is it the constant heat cycles (over 15 years, 140K miles) that make them hard or crack?

I'm considering just trying to replace the grommets, which seem to be just rubber vs. the 3 gaskets per side...

Thanks, Dave!

huck369 · #7 02-12-2007, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STORMINORMAN

...how often do black rubber (neoprine?) circular gaskets actually leak? In the case of those where there is rotational movement (oil seals) I can see where friction, dirt, etc. can tear them down. But, what about the gaskets for the valve covers? Is it the constant heat cycles (over 15 years, 140K miles) that make them hard or crack?

I'm considering just trying to replace the grommets, which seem to be just rubber vs. the 3 gaskets per side...

Thanks, Dave!

With age, and heat the rubber gaskets srink and get hard....the gaskets will need replaceing worse than the gromments, as the oil pools at the bottom of the valve cover.

michael · #8 02-12-2007, 06:42 PM

Here is a link with part #'s and prices http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/showthread.php?t=30998

davew833 · #9 02-12-2007, 07:11 PM

Here's something to chew on... the Subaru dealer list price for those little valve cover grommets is $5.85 each! Subaruparts.com wants $2.48 each for them, I was able to get my local dealer to sell a few to me for $2.43 each. Dealer cost is $1.95 according to the parts screen he showed me.

Now here's something else to consider. There are 20 of those grommets required for a full valve cover gasket replacement. Having just re-gasketed a Subaru EA82 engine from an '89 DL wagon, I'm 95% sure the valve cover grommets are the same on that and the EG33. (I will know for sure tomorrow as I'm planning to do what I've described below.)

A Fel-Pro valve cover gasket set for the EA82 from AutoZone with 9 of those those same grommets is $12.99, and is normally stocked. So, what I would do is get two of those sets for $26, throw the valve cover gaskets away, or give them to someone with a Loyale, buy two extra grommets from the dealer (remember, the EG33 requires 20), and save myself 20 bucks. I'm not sure what material the Fel-Pro grommets are made of, but I've used their products before with no problems.

The Fel-Pro part number for the EA82 gasket kit with grommets is VS50273R, and applies to 1985-89 Subaru GL, DL and 1990-1994 Loyale engines.

STORMINORMAN · #10 02-13-2007, 10:30 AM

What a GREAT posting! This is what makes this such an asset to SVX owners!

Cheers!

davew833 · #11 02-13-2007, 12:31 PM

Got the Fel-Pro set today. The grommets are IDENTICAL in appearance and dimension to the "genuine SVX" ones I got from the dealer. (OK... so the metal washer is a slightly different color, but that's it!)

stallion · #12 02-13-2007, 02:10 PM

Wow so those grommets fit for the SVX? Awesome. How much was the dealer price on the actual gasket? I can't wait much for subaruparts to ship me some and I cant find any auto store that carries SVX gaskets..........

ShiuludeSVX · #13 03-23-2007, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stallion

Wow so those grommets fit for the SVX? Awesome. How much was the dealer price on the actual gasket? I can't wait much for subaruparts to ship me some and I cant find any auto store that carries SVX gaskets..........

The "Full Engine Gasket Set" is $316.
The large gasket for each side cover is $15.25 each.
The smaller gaskets inside the cover are $8 each.
Then the Breather gaskets are also $8 each.
And the "Grommets" or {dealer - "Washers"} of which, they only list 16 are $3.25 each.
I spent some time grilling my local dealer parts guy.
Then ordered just the Brake Caliper rubber parts that I need.
I think I'll go the FelPro way too. Who knows, maybe someone will take the gaskets off my hands, and I can just buy the Large ones from the dealer.