Valve Cover Gasket

LPSISRL · Wed Jan 06, 2021 10:23 pm

I need to replace my valve cover gasket. Looking for recommendations. Rockauto.com has one but I'm not familiar with the brand. Autozone and O'Reilly's don't stock them.
Thanks,
Tim

n8dogg · Thu Jan 07, 2021 10:44 am

I did mine but cannot recall what brand I used. There's nothing particularly special about it so I think whatever is available is fine. I think I got lucky and it was on an auto part store shelf. I do remember in the repair manual stating the need for some liquid gasket at a couple of spots and I can confirm that is true...nothing major, a tiny bit will do.

Thu Jan 07, 2021 7:13 pm

Did any of you check or adjust your valves while changing out the cover gasket? I know the Kizashi has solid lifters that I recall require inspection/adjustment at 90,000 miles or so according to the service schedule. I could be wrong on that mileage.

n8dogg · Fri Jan 08, 2021 9:34 am

I did not. I don't have any experience adjusting lifters and didn't even think to look into it at the time.

SAEED_KIZZY · Fri Jan 08, 2021 2:38 pm

be careful about head cover bolts can be easily broken by over-tightening

LPSISRL · Sat Jan 09, 2021 3:18 pm

I've only done one valve adjustment in my days and it was years ago. I'm not sure I'd trust myself and might make things that are OK, no OK. Since I got my Kizzy with 33K on it (now 126K) I've always thought that the idle was not as smooth as it should be. Example if the plastic engine cover shaking sometimes to the point where it rattles. I've wondered if it was valves since the plugs and fuel system have been changed and cleaned. Maybe I will look the process over and at least check them while the cover is off. I'm also waiting for the recall parts to come in. (passenger seat bottom and spider round 2) I could have them checked by the service center at that time.

The service center used to have a Suzuki mechanic that did my transmission replacement and did a great job. If he's still there, I'd be comfortable with him doing the valves.

LPSISRL · Sat Jan 09, 2021 4:25 pm

After looking a the service manual on valve adjustments, it indicates that there are tappets that are replaced to take up valve lash and not screw adjustment at the top of the valve like I've seen before. According to the manual, you have to remove the camshafts and replace the tappets if the valve lash is out of adjustment. Keep in mind I have not looked at the valve train from the top to verify that there are no other ways to make adjustments to the valve lash. Other forums talking about the J24B indicate the same. They refer to the components as bucket and tappets. Conclusion was that if your valve clearance is off, you need to take it to a head specialist to be safe.

Mon Jan 11, 2021 8:14 pm

LPSISRL wrote:After looking a the service manual on valve adjustments, it indicates that there are tappets that are replaced to take up valve lash and not screw adjustment at the top of the valve like I've seen before. According to the manual, you have to remove the camshafts and replace the tappets if the valve lash is out of adjustment. Keep in mind I have not looked at the valve train from the top to verify that there are no other ways to make adjustments to the valve lash. Other forums talking about the J24B indicate the same. They refer to the components as bucket and tappets. Conclusion was that if your valve clearance is off, you need to take it to a head specialist to be safe.

It sounds like maintenance is just a matter of checking valve lash but doing anything about adjusting it is major engine work. Sounds like Suzuki designed the thing to be maintenance-free and service-on-need. Makes sense now why we never hear anyone talking about this. Thanks for the details.

Fri Feb 12, 2021 12:34 am

I need to replace my gasket soon too. I've been recently smelling a bit of oil after driving. I checked the engine and see that my valve cover gasket is weeping a little and oil is soaking down onto the headers a bit. This would explain the burning oil smell. I cleaned it up and that helped with the smell but a gasket replacement appears to be in order. I'll have to order the parts and look into where the liquid gasket needs to be placed.

n8dogg · Fri Feb 12, 2021 10:39 am

KuroNekko wrote: ↑Fri Feb 12, 2021 12:34 am I need to replace my gasket soon too. I've been recently smelling a bit of oil after driving. I checked the engine and see that my valve cover gasket is weeping a little and oil is soaking down onto the headers a bit. This would explain the burning oil smell. I cleaned it up and that helped with the smell but a gasket replacement appears to be in order. I'll have to order the parts and look into where the liquid gasket needs to be placed.

I know it was mentioned somewhere else on here, but you might want to have a couple of extra valve cover bolts. In hind sight, I'd probably just get a whole set...they're soft metal and sheer off very easily. I was able to remove all mine, but just barely. Trying to put them back in they were already so stressed, even under light torque, that I broke a couple.