How do you replace valve cover gasket on 1996 ACURA 2.5TL?

Answer 1

before attemping to change the gasket get the gasket set not just the gasket you might as well do it all so you dont have to later on,

first remove the ground cable on the battery should be a 10mm nut and set aside the cable make sure the cable does not sit near the ground terminal on the battery, then remove all spark plug boots from the spark plugs (DO NOT REMOVE THEM FROM THE DISTRIBUTOR OR YOU WONT KNOW WHICH IS WHAT) then there are 5 10mm nuts on the valve cover remove them along with the washers, then there is a black cover for the timming chain in the front remove the nut on it, should be a 10mm bolt and one more on the thermostat housing. once removed there should be a ground on the back of the valve cover it is also a 10mm bolt remove it and set aside, then there are two air hoses for the valve cover one on the front and one in the middle with some plyers remove the clamp around the houses and softly loosen the hose do not pinch or kink the hose or you will have to buy another one. then lift the valve cover off the head if it does not lift gently hit it with a rubber malet or rubber hammer in the front of the valve cover or get a flat head screw driver and pry on the valve cover and it should pop up. now once the valve cover is off remove the gasket around the valve cover and the ones where the spark plug holes are, get a razor blade and remove the old silicone it has around or near the gasket same with the spark plug holes. and dont forget to do the same to the head which is where the valve cover was on. now once its clean get some silicone and gently put a dab of silicone where the spark plug gasket is, then put on the gasket wipe off any excess and do the same with the main gasket. (DO NOT USE ALOT OF SILICONE OR YOU WILL DAMAGE YOUR ENGINE) having silicone in your oil is not pretty you can search pics on Google to see why ok now back to your car. once you have all the new gaskets on you will place back the valve cover back on the head (IF YOU HAVE OIL IN WHERE YOUR SPARK PLUGS ARE REMOVE THE OIL WITH A RAG OR PAPER TOWEL MAKE SURE YOU TRY TO GET ALL THE OIL OUT OF WHERE YOUR SPARK PLUGS ARE IN ONCE DONE REMOVE SPARK PLUGS AND LET OIL FALL IN IF YOU JUST REPLACED SPARK PLUGS GO AHEAD AND REUSE OTHER WISE REPLACE THEM SAME GOES FOR THE BOOTS) make sure the gasket is perfectly in place then put the new washers on the holes where you removed the nuts in the first place, there should be 5, once placed put back the 5 10mm nuts and torque them down to 10-12ft lbs, ok now if you have to remove the spark plugs or boots do that now and remember, when installing spark plugs back on put anti seize lube on the thread of the spark plug and torque down to 15-20ft lbs, then when installing the boots back on remember to use dielectric grease on the connectors and place them back on, then put back the timming cover on with the 2 10mm bolts, then the 2 air hoses on the valve cover. finally last put back the grounds on the vlalve cover and on the battery then inspect your work and turn on the car.