I rather use a plastic trim removal tool, or at least wrap something around the screwdriver tip. You don't wanna put any gouges on the surface the seals sit in.

 

True. I cushioned my VC with towels then used finesse to pop the seals out being careful not to gouge the seal surface

 

Mine we mostly plasticized at 195k, it is a 2001. Was leaking quite a bit by then.

 

I imagine your engine must have been misfiring by then due to the coils?

 

Just did the adjustment yesterday. Deffinetly needed it. My seals were all done recently so no need. With the right tools. Bent feeler gauge and the nice valve adjustment tool this ended up being super easy and I got it all done in a night! It can be done depending on how recently you did your seals and shit!

 

I replace them about 35% of the time. Inspection is key.

Once the cover is off, look at the gasket as it is sitting in the valve cover. The intake and exhaust side should sit tall and rounded. If the gasket is worn, the exhaust side only will sit flat and squared off.

If both sides sit the same height, and rounded, you are guaranteed for another 50k miles.