2004 xc70 Trying to replace my valve cover gasket

Amy608 · Post by **Amy608** » 11 Sep 2025, 08:08

Yall, I am struggling rn. I think the valve cover gasket is where I'm leaking oil so I bought one, took everything off the cover, all the coils, bolts, variable valve thingy where I broke the gasket on that. But now it looks like the cover is welded together. I'm scared to get in there with the pry bar and pry because it doesn't look like it comes apart.

Help a girl out and tell me what I'm missing here

Post by **jonesg** » 11 Sep 2025, 14:33

there isn't a physical gasket, its a fluid you apply.
I would stop before going further,
How did you ascertain the valve cover is leaking, theres several other places far more likely to leak.

Post by **vtl** » 12 Sep 2025, 09:47

Make sure every bolt is removed or slacked sufficiently. I see you have an upper engine mount still in place.

But as jonesg said: there are other places that cause leaks more readily.

Post by **abscate** » 12 Sep 2025, 13:53

How close are you to Cincinatti? Robert Spinner is there and you need him on this job. Its likely you have a leaking servo gasket or the PCV pipe is leaking. You need to put that back together carefully or else you will really mess stuff up.

To remove that valve cover you have to get all the timing gear and the engine mount off, that has to go back on perfectly or your ruin the top end of the motor. It isnt rocket science but its not a good 'first project' either

God Bless RNs, you guys are the heros that never get enough praise.