Is there a proper way To instal the seals on the valve cover gasket that prevents oil from entering where the spark plugs go? I recently put a new valve cover gasket with new seals and saw oil in one spark plug as well as the seal loose. I am guessing I put it on wrong and don't want to make the same mistake when installing them again.

 

Check out the last few pages of the "Warning for 2006-2009 DBW" at the top of the header for this forum topic.


https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/106.../page__st__150

I incorrectly installed the cover and seals after the DIY and with Billman's input, I reinstalled it correctly.


This is part of the post that discussed it:

I did my valve adjust in January and I posted with pictures. I became aware that I might have not paid attention to the tube seals and might have installed the cover incorrectly. I asked Billman about that and this is what he posted:

View PostBillman250, on 25 January 2014 - 06:30 AM, said:
With the cover upside down on the work bench, the 4 tube seals should look like this \/ \/ \/ \/

When you pull the cover, some of them get stuck to the tube, and you will get this \/ \/ /\ /\

The last two have been pulled in the wrong direction. Just push them back down with your finger.

If you don't, you can cut the lip on the tube seal.

You can likely check yours just by pulling the coil packs and inspect them with a bright light. You can see the seal edge around the tube.

I've pulled over 1000 covers, and the chances of the seals inverting is 95%


Today I decided to replace the spark plugs (did not do it during the valve adjust) and wanted to double check the tube seals. I discovered 2 of the 4 looked out of whack. I was glad there was no oil leakage in the tubes. I pulled the cover and pushed the seals into the correct position. I reinstalled the cover watching the tube seals carefully. No problem and all mated correctly. I can't believe this escaped me the first time. Was glad also the seals appeared to be intact.

Thanks Billman for the heads up.

 

My first attempt at installing the seal also failed. All 4 of them ripped and caused oil to leak down the spark hole. For my 2nd attempt, I pressed the seal enough so that it's flush to it's surface. Before I had tapped it in nearly all the way and was recessed (leaving a little gap behind the seal).

When reinstalling the valve cover, make sure your seal goes around the outside perimeter of the spark plug tube.

 

Yeah I was about to say that. Once you get the valve cover mounted, before you torque down any bolts, use your fingers and fit the seals over the spark plug tubes. Brand new seals will not slide easily over the tubes, use a smidge of oil on the lip and just push them until you see them go over the tube. At $4 and change per seal it's not like they're exactly cheap.

 

Thanks for the info. I was definitely doing it wrong from what you guys wrote. Always learning something new each day from this car.