m_ouwerkerk

My car is losing a lot of oil, and it's dripping onto the exhaust system underneath, so always smells like it's on fire.

My best guess is that it's the rear valve cover gasket, so I had a few questions around that if anyone can help:

1) What's the best viewing place to see where the oils coming from? i.e. Under the car, or from above?

2) Is this a nightmare of a job, or pretty straight foward? I'm totally comfortable with engines, but there's a lot of bits and pieces on top, and it looks messy!

3) How long would the job take?

4) I assume I should get a full gasket set with spark plug tube covers and gromits etc?

5) Should I also do the spark plugs while I'm in there? (They're probably at 70,000km now)

6) Are there any gotchas with the job? e.g
- I've read that torquing the top bolts to spec can strip them?
- I've read that sometimes idle can be rough / low for a week while ECU relearns

7) What other gaskets would I need to do this job?

Thanks in advance.

Donkeypunch

U have a 3L?

This is all the gaskets I needed.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I torqued everything by feel. Didn't need an idle relearn.
Started right up and idled fine.

The real and actual difficult part is getting the bolts off the manifold bracket at the
the back of the motor. It's a total b1tch. Other then that, ez business.

The spark plugs are ez to access so it's up to you.

m_ouwerkerk

Thanks Donkeypunch. Is there a procedure in the manual to follow (I can't find one), or did you just do it by logic?

Donkeypunch

There's an ok how-to on youtube.
Take all the intake stuff off. All the hoses.
unbolt the fuel rail lines do the upper intake manifold.

I like using copper spray. Clean the idle control valve too I bet it's all gunked up.
Get a new valve on the valve cover too. if it's never been changed it's dead. Autozone has them

m_ouwerkerk

Thanks. What's the name of the valve on the valve cover?

BigLou55

iTrader: (6)

The PCV valve is located on the rear valve cover for a 3.0. I know its in the back somewhere on the 3.5 just not sure specifically. I am not sure which year model you have, 2000-2001 are different from 2002-2003.