You are "The valve cover MAN". Been around VW's for 50 years and just got schooled.

" CHROME DONT GET YOU HOME ". That statement could not have been more true. Great video, I think I have watched this 4 or 5 times since you made it. Any questions, watch a ezgz video. Thank you again for all you do for our great cars.

Thank you... Sharing your VW experiences is priceless. I'm going to try out your suggestions on the sandrail.

That's good info. I've had a relatively very limited experience with different VW motors, and haven't run into nearly as many issues, so I haven't been able to learn all these little nuances for myself. It's so nice when a guy who has been living it for years can share their experience with the rest of us.

I never use sealant, just grease the valve cover sealing edge lightly and place the cork gasket in, then a thin smear of grease on the head side of the gasket. Never had a leaky one yet, plus no mucky clean up job when it is time to change them.

that could explain the oil leak i had in my baja. good tip on the valve covers i will have to remember that next time i get a bug. have a great day mark

I replaced my valve cover gasket in my 2.5L jeep without cutting or modifying it and yes, it was warped. I used toothpicks to line up the bolt holes, and then once I got the valve cover in place i used mechanics picks to line the holes in the cover/head up with the holes the gasket. Fixed the leak perfect and it’s been a month or so. Btw I used a wire brush to get the gasket off the old valve cover. You seem like a great mechanic, and you seem to speak with experience. Nice baja!!

Thank you for another informative video. I will be using Bolt-On Valve covers for this go around. However, I think they are chrome... I will be switching them out. I'd never heard the "Chrome don't get you home" mantra. I was avoiding chrome for the simple fact you feel forced to always keep it shiny. My baja will probably always have a certain dirt luster to it. As always I enjoy your videos. Have a great week.

Thanks for posting. I've had the same frustrations with the gasket not fitting properly. I will try to trim them like you have.

Hey, what a great idea pulling the gasket with electrical tape ... never heard that before !!! Greetings from "southern" Germany :-D

I also read how the stock tin covers actually cool the oil the best and that you should avoid the aluminum finned covers because they actually run hotter. VW engineers were smart. The valve covers and pushrod tubes are main parts of the oil cooling system. Fancy aftermarket pushrod tubes should be avoided, too.

I am betting that I will eventually run into this problem. Thanks GZ

Great information! As for using heater hose for crankcase ventilation, I have had that stuff swell up and turn gummy before. Purpose built PCV hose works much better.

always good info to rewatch. only thing not covered is the bolt on stuff. remember beetles don't leak but merely mark there spot.

Great info

very nice video thanks .

very helpful man.

Great info.

2:12 I had this exact problem with some gaskets I bought in bulk. I'm a n00b so I didn't think anything of it, squeezed it in, put them on, started it up, and engine was dripping like crazy. Almost pouring out of the valve covers. Pulled them off, and it looks like the rocker arm snatched up the bulging gasket, and caused a huge gap for it to leak from. I might have to try that welded washer trick if it sucks them up again. Gonna try using some permatex case goop on the valve cover side before I weld it though.

Good video. But I notice my cork gaskets seem to rise up in the valve cover, against the head. seems like I have like 3/16" space below the cork gasket where oil seems to pool. Any thoughts?

Thats good info

I have the German valve covers on a 73 type 3 1600 FI engine. I see some of the VW valve covers you have the black paint on the out side is partly worn away and the inside it's almost gone. Do you feel it's bad if the out side has a bit of factory paint worn off ? I do use permatex # 2 on the valve cover side because I don't trust the gasket to not move while installing the valve cover. I do know the valve cover gaskets that Elring sells in their German engine rebuild kit fit perfect as do the Victor Reinz Valve Cover Gasket 15-21644-03 auto zone offers . They are light and thick an both brands are the same. I used to get thinner ones from a dealer here and they were to small and thin and didn't hold up well to heat. I also need good adjusting screws and nuts , mine are German but now all I can find without a fortune shipped from the UK are ones made by IPA said to be German . Have you heard of these?

Hey EZGZ. I noticed some of those covers have breather vents. Is a extra oil breather worth it on a standard 1600 Twin Port, in a van,for everyday use,please?

I got rubber gaskets, one side sealed nice. But not the other, i might weld a washer. If not what do you recommend?

oem supplier to VW on the gaskets is elring I sell hundreds every month. Very nice video on the crap valve covers

I shoulda watched this one before I put my fresh 1904cc in the car; nice pools of oil on both sides soon after she fired up, for the break in, dang it. I guess I can't just use fresh ill-fitting cork gaskets and original chrome covers on fresh heads with the crappy original bales, and no sealant. So much for that experiment. Well at least I know there's lots of oil getting up top! And under the car I go. Thanks!!

Noob here - Great video. Had this van 6 years and the valve covers haven't been off once in that time!! If it ain't broke! Saying that though - they're looking rough and rusty so I think it's time to replace. Anything beneficial I could do while they're off?

I actually take a pair of pliers and slightly bend the outer edges of the valve cover in so that the valve cover basically bites down on the head, seals so much better!

What should the oil temperature be in a 1776 motor thought it might be running hot and that's why I was sucking that gasket is thanks

what are your thoughts on bolt on covers with channel gaskets? ive got them on my 1641 street car for about a year now, and haven't had a leak yet. the aftermarket heads were leaking with the stock cork. I even had to double up the gasket on one side and it still leaked.

I notice your valve covers have what looks like a vent tube. Mine (type 4) do not have vent tubes. Would it be harmful for me to run vent tubes?

I’ve been trying to find the lighter coloured gaskets, as I believe they are thicker. Can’t seem to get them anywhere in the UK!

HI, Want to paint the valve covers. I want to know how hot the valve covers get?

Tks Bro nice wach'g I need to change my casket my vault cover's leak'g

Cool

Good info but I didn't catch what kind of sealer to use

So is there anything wrong with the bolt on aluminum covers I have them because I prefer the look

good stuff ez

hey ez tell them about to thin of gaskets will make your adjustment skrews tap on on the cover. and that cover is like a drum and make you think its aknocking. and the worst is rubber ones because they shrink. I rember the gaskets for 2.75 and I freaked when they went to 4.00 bucks . rambus

are the cork gaskets supposed to leak a little after installation on a Vanagon until they swell up with oil contact?

What about those bolt on covers how to stop those from leaking

I'm with you. Chrome don't get you home. All good info.avation on valve cover side only.if I have time I like to seal the gasket on the cover and pop them on some loose clean heads up on the work bench. Leave them there for 5 minutes or so till they seat real good. Then pop them off and check them and there ready for long service life on the engine.Just wipe the cork with brake clean each time you take them off and reinstall. Like new.thumbs up

Good info on a constant battle against drips. I also like to check for square on a flat surface with the covers. I like those with lip tits. HaHa. Have a Great day my brother. VW:-)

I replaced mine and it still leaks but very slowly

My scat engine has puked oil from the start. Bales are too weak, crap gaskets also

Not so EZGZ on a Ford Duratec DOHC Duratec V-6 engine. Trust me.