How to Replace a 1996 Saturn Twin-Cam Valve Cover Gasket

Your 1996 Saturn twin-cam valve cover gasket protects the engine head--specifically the duel overhead cams, valves, springs, and other components--from premature failure due to insufficient lubrication. While the gasket on your Saturn should last a long time, there is no official service life. When it fails, oil will leak around the edges of the valve cover where the cover meets the engine head. When this happens, you need to replace the gasket.

Things You'll Need

• Socket wrench
• 10 mm socket
• Degreaser
• 1500-grit sandpaper
• Rag
• New gasket
• Gasket sealer
• Torque wrench

Instructions

1. Open the hood and grab the spark plug boots on your Saturn's engine. Wiggle the boots back and forth while you pull up on them to remove them from the top of the engine.

2. Unbolt the valve cover nuts in the corners of the valve cover and pull the cover off the top of the engine.

3. Clean the mating surfaces of the valve cover and the engine head using degreaser and 1500-grit sandpaper. Make sure you remove all of the old gasket material, then wipe the mating surfaces down with a clean rag.

4. Apply gasket sealer to the mating surfaces of the engine head and the valve cover.

5. Press the valve cover gasket to the engine head and then press the valve cover to the gasket.

6. Set the dial on your torque wrench to 15 ft-lbs., then thread and tighten the mounting nuts to secure the valve cover to the engine head using a torque wrench. Make sure you are tightening the nuts in a crisscross fashion until the torque wrench clicks on every nut.

References

• "Saturn SL, SC, SW (Station Wagon) Repair & Service Manual 1991-2002"; Mark Ryan, John H. Haynes; 2003