# Gaskets fused to valve cover **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** neon, sparkplugs, valves, gaskets, dodge, plug\ **Created:** [April 6, 2011, 3:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gaskets-fused-to-valve-cover/63427 "2011-04-06T15:16:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ChrisAshton84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3bc359/32.png) [@ChrisAshton84](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChrisAshton84)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 3:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gaskets-fused-to-valve-cover/63427/1 "2011-04-06T15:16:15Z")
Hi, I have an 03 Neon that has a few problems. When I was looking into a misfire I noticed that 3 of my spark plugs had oil leaking from on top onto them. I bought a valve cover gasket kit that came with the spark plug tube gaskets and have everything taken apart, only to find out that I can’t get the old gaskets out of the valve cover. I’ve looked around an a lot of people have suggestions of how to pry / bang them out, but nothing’s worked so far. I’ve tried gasket remover solvent but it didn’t seem to do anything. I can’t just put it back on and run with it as one of the gaskets broke as I tried to pull it. I can grab the metal ring inside it with pliers but even directly pulling on it can’t get it to budge. Am I going to be stuck buying a new valve cover? Or does anyone know how to get these things out? ---
**Author:** ![missileman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/missileman/32/1366_2.png) [@missileman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/missileman)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 3:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gaskets-fused-to-valve-cover/63427/2 "2011-04-06T15:36:59Z")
They can’t be “banged” or “pryed” out. They must be scraped. You can pick up a handy gasket scraper at the nearest auto parts store or use a sharpened paint scraper. ---
**Author:** ![ken\_green](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/ken_green/32/816_2.png) [@ken\_green](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ken_green)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 4:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gaskets-fused-to-valve-cover/63427/3 "2011-04-06T16:05:18Z")
'‘Fused to valve cover’' Might in fact be the way they were made. Not sure about the neon but I’ve seen many molded-in gaskets where the OE replacement is to buy the whole valve cover. The aftermarket gasket will work when you use a blade to cut the old gasket flat with the facing edge of the cover. ---
**Author:** ![oldschool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e19adc/32.png) [@oldschool](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldschool)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 4:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gaskets-fused-to-valve-cover/63427/4 "2011-04-06T16:51:08Z")
If it takes an hour of scraping (and a big vise to hold the cover that you do not have) it just may work out better to buy the new valve cover. For me, valve covers leaks are one I can put up with for quite a while before I decide to do something. The reason is stuff like this. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 5:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gaskets-fused-to-valve-cover/63427/5 "2011-04-06T17:19:42Z")
I’m assuming this is a stamp-steel valve cover and NOT cast. Get a gasket scraper…It’ll take time, but it works fine… When done scraping…I usually get some medium grade sand paper and sand the valve cover. I also will go around to each of the bolt holes and hammer them smooth. Sometimes they’ll depress when you tighten a bolt down. And don’t forget to scrape any gasket material off the heads. ---
**Author:** ![TwinTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@TwinTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TwinTurbo)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 5:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gaskets-fused-to-valve-cover/63427/6 "2011-04-06T17:36:26Z")
Two words: heat gun. Most things that appear impervious to all methods will yield when softened up with a heat gun. Seems like most manfrs are using adhesive to make assembly easier and limit leaks during the critical warranty period 😉 ---
**Author:** ![ChrisAshton84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3bc359/32.png) [@ChrisAshton84](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChrisAshton84)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 9:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gaskets-fused-to-valve-cover/63427/7 "2011-04-06T21:31:50Z")
I’ll try this first, the auto store didn’t mention this when I asked how to remove them but maybe they just didn’t think of it. Are they easy to use w/o damaging the surrounding valve cover (plastic)? ---
**Author:** ![ChrisAshton84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3bc359/32.png) [@ChrisAshton84](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChrisAshton84)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 9:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gaskets-fused-to-valve-cover/63427/8 "2011-04-06T21:34:14Z")
Gasket might be a bad term, these are maybe a 1/4" thick and have a reinforcing metal ring built into it (which is likely what’s keeping the pressure so tight on it). I have seen photos where someone removed them so I know they come out. Unfortunately these are recessed into the valve cover and are pretty much level with it so I can’t just overlay a new one on top of the old. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 9:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gaskets-fused-to-valve-cover/63427/9 "2011-04-06T21:35:03Z")
Is this what it looks like? Made out of plastic? [![](http://www.allpar.com/neon/images/neon-sxt-engine.jpg) ](http://www.allpar.com/neon/images/neon-sxt-engine.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![ChrisAshton84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3bc359/32.png) [@ChrisAshton84](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChrisAshton84)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 9:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gaskets-fused-to-valve-cover/63427/10 "2011-04-06T21:36:35Z")
Yeah, I thought this would be a quick hour or so project, but when I broke one of the gaskets I figured I really had to replace them. If I could get a new valve cover for \< $150 I’d definitely do it, this is such a huge pain. ---
**Author:** ![ChrisAshton84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3bc359/32.png) [@ChrisAshton84](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChrisAshton84)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 9:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gaskets-fused-to-valve-cover/63427/11 "2011-04-06T21:39:45Z")
Yep that’s the one, some sort of hard plastic. I’m worried about scratching it if I get too aggressive pulling the gaskets. ---
**Author:** ![ChrisAshton84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3bc359/32.png) [@ChrisAshton84](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChrisAshton84)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 9:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gaskets-fused-to-valve-cover/63427/12 "2011-04-06T21:41:20Z")
Any idea what temp I should try? It’s a plastic valve cover so I don’t know how hot I could go w/o damaging it… ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 9:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gaskets-fused-to-valve-cover/63427/13 "2011-04-06T21:45:24Z")
You’re right to be careful. Steel valve cover on a cast iron head? Go at it with a gasket scraper, you won’t hurt anything. But plastic cover and aluminum heads are another matter! ---
**Author:** ![ChrisAshton84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3bc359/32.png) [@ChrisAshton84](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChrisAshton84)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 10:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gaskets-fused-to-valve-cover/63427/14 "2011-04-06T22:19:27Z")
What would you recommend for a plastic cover? Seems like it would be pretty easy to ding it up ---
**Author:** ![ChrisAshton84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3bc359/32.png) [@ChrisAshton84](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChrisAshton84)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 1:12am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gaskets-fused-to-valve-cover/63427/15 "2011-04-07T01:12:16Z")
So, I replaced the gaskets (easy once I figured out what I could cut of, where to pry with needlenose pliers, and how much I had to get off before the whole thing would come off) and put the valve cover back on. I used my torque wrench set to 105 lb/in as stated in the Haynes repair manual… and one of the bolts broke, and the bump to the cover broke others (or perhaps the torque wrench broke them and I didn’t realize at the time)!!! Oh no oh no oh no…