Waterproofing Engine

[landtoy80]

I replaced the valve cover gaskets and the middle gasket doesn't look to seal very well.

When I was calling dealers that had Supra's for sale more than once told me that the car runs good but has a miss fire after they wash the engine.

I was thinking of putting some silicone along the edge of the gasket to seal it up.
Good or bad idea?

 

[Sawbladz]

I'm assuming you mean the spark plug valley cover?

 

[landtoy80]

Yes.

 

[AJ'S 88NA]

I replaced the valve cover gaskets and the middle gasket doesn't look to seal very well.

When I was calling dealers that had Supra's for sale more than once told me that the car runs good but has a miss fire after they wash the engine.

I was thinking of putting some silicone along the edge of the gasket to seal it up.
Good or bad idea?

The middle galley cover doesn't seal real well. They miss fire is because of water/oil in there and they aren't going to take the time to clean it out. Silicone as long as small bead shouldn't hurt. I don't hose my motor off that often just because of that reason.

 

[landtoy80]

Was thinking of that removable silicone. That is if its made for automotive use.

 

[GrimJack]

That piece really isn't built to seal. If you pull off your valve covers, you'll notice that there are some pretty big gaps around the edges.

 

[fiyota]

not to mention all the holes beside the main holes for the plug wires...

 

[mdr40z]

just dont spray there

 

[Poodles]

the holes are plugged with other things (wire holders) and the third valve cover gasket does seal quite well...

Our engines are quite waterproof, just don't drown em...

 

[GrimJack]

the third valve cover gasket does seal quite well...

Are you sure about that? I left out the last two gaps... Seems about as sealed as a noodle strainer to me.

 

[johnathan1]

The rubber valve-cover grommets cover that area.

 

[Poodles]

nope, not even that... that is an old gasket and is missing the rubber coating that seals those areas, mine has it...

 

[jugodegolf]

On SF there is engine detail guide on the mk4 and some guy with NA followed the instructions pressure wash the enging bay. His car ran terrible after that. Don't get water in between the valvecovers. Sides are okay, I would recommend using leaf blower to dry engine bay. Works very well btw.

 

[Doward]

Grim, yeah, there's a hole load of rubber coating you are missing!

 

[Poodles]

I detail my engine as well, and never had issues...

do NOT use a pressure washer, as the pressure will push the water past seals...

 

[jugodegolf]

I detail my engine as well, and never had issues...

do NOT use a pressure washer, as the pressure will push the water past seals...

What about between the valve covers? Do you cover that or what?

 

[AJ'S 88NA]

I always cover mine, I know if I don't I might have problems, water can get in and pressure washing will force it in.

 

[Poodles]

nope, never covered there...

just don't dump the water on it and it's fine, most of the engine degreasers/detailers require you to run the engine to evaporate the rest of it

I had the occasional miss on the old engine, but the new one nothing, just a lot of steam...

I now have an intake on my car, so I'll have to cover that, but other than that I'm golden...