Reddit mentions: The best automotive valve cover gaskets

Most here think it could be your valve cover gasket. No way to know 100% unless you were to see the source. I am leaning towards the valve cover gasket because I can see the oil drip (especially around like where the dipstick is) and also because those are things that are known to break. Some people here say head gasket but i really think thats unlikely because usually that is accompanied by a loss of coolant. If you change your oil and you see coolant then that's it. That is an involved repair.

The good news is if it is your valve cover gasket this isn't super urgent so long as your oil levels dont fall too low. A lot of people are driving around with leaky valve cover gaskets as we speak! My gf drove around with a very slow VCG leak for years. If it's a head gasket or a

The other good news is on your engine it is very easy to access, and amazon has the replacement part for $5 USD https://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-25183348-Original-Equipment-Gasket/dp/B014MVJ87I (AC Delco is General Motors, so this is the actual original equipment manufacturer). Your local auto parts store would also have it in stock. To access you would just need to remove the ignition coil assembly (the black thing with two black "humps" bolted to the valve cover with 4 wires coming out labeled 1,2,3,4). And bolt off the valve cover. Probably good to disconnect the hoses. I would change the spark plugs while you're down there (the things at the end of those labeled 1,2,3,4 wires)

The medium news is that you will need to find someone with tools to do this. Tools can be expensive. You might be better off going to a mechanic unless one of your friends has tools. The mechanic will have all the tools and be sure to torque down the bolts in the right sequence and torque values. Some valve cover gaskets also require RTV silicone (less than $5, also available at auto parts store) but you have to know where to put it. My only concern is some of the bolts appear corroded and *may or may not* get stripped or break upon removal. Not saying that's a guaranteed or even a big deal but you have to have the tools and knowledge for how to deal with it. That's why im leaning towards a mechanic or a friend with a lot of tools.

The kind of concerning thing is The engine is actually built by Daewoo in south korea which is not known for reliability. Not saying there’s anything wrong with it but something to keep in mind

I'll almost guarantee its the valve cover gasket. All of my 4.0 powered jeeps have leaked from the valve cover and it looks just like it's coming from the rear main. Replace it with the good Fel-Pro gasket or some RTV and that should take care of it for the life of your engine.

Agree. Some purists will say to only get the gasket from Mazda. But considering the low price and effort of replacing the valve cover gasket, a Fel-Pro from Amazon should be just fine. You also need some silicone gasket goop for six potential leak spots. One tube should last practically forever.

It is and easy job, but you must be careful to not over tighten the bolts into your aluminum head. Torque to 43 - 78 inch-lbs. Also, tightening the bolts in the order recommended by Mazda will help avoid leaks. Use this guide: http://www.miata.net/garage/valvecover/

Amazon prime does come in handy 😁
Elring Dichtung Valve Cover Gasket https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CIYYN9U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_OLePCb3F9GQ1S

I just replaced my valve cover gasket on my Honda Accord 1998, 2.3L.

But go to Amazon and get a valve cover set. I think this one fits yours, but not sure.

You might need some permatex gasket maker, too.

Valve covers are easy to get off, it's like a couple of bolts. It was hard for me to get the gasket off because it was old as hell, and I had to use a torch.

But it should be very easy.

edit: here is a video, you can see the gasket replacement around 50 seconds in.

Is that the Ford/Mazda 2.3l 4cyl? The valve cover job is about an hour, maybe 2. Very easy and quite a few videos on YouTube for it. Ford used it in so many vehicles, it is a very common engine.

Felpro VS50639R1 Valve Cover Gasket Set https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000Q0U7RA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_09hTCbJEPPFGY

YouTube vid from a certified Ford technician.
https://youtu.be/Y-aScxyk7pM

You can always buy the parts yourself and bring them in for install. There is atleast a 100% markup on most of your parts.

Take for instance your valve cover gasket.

http://www.amazon.com/Fel-Pro-VS50530R-Valve-Cover-Set/dp/B000C2GI4S

15$ compared to their 43$.

They even list the part numbers for you :^)

I'd also highly recommend replacing the valve cover gasket. They get brittle and leak onto your headers. Very easy job. Just be careful the you don't over tighten any of the bolts and be careful with the cover too (it's made of plastic).

Valve cover gasket: https://www.amazon.com/Engine-Gasket-Grommet-Victor-Reinz/dp/B00BZ9YV8W/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1522256158&sr=1-2&keywords=e46+valve+cover+gasket

The belt tensioner is known to go bad on E46's as well and that'll put you on the side of the road if it fails. Also a pretty easy replacement.

Belt tensioner: https://www.amazon.com/URO-Parts-11-427-252/dp/B0066QTNCS/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1522255677&vehicle=2003-31-170-20--7-6-7-8226-171-1-1---1-0&sr=1-2&ymm=2003%3Abmw%3A325ci

I did both sets. My VCG was literally hard plastic when I got it finally separated.

MAHLE Original VS50368 Engine... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006E0P0GO?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Dual Vanos O-Ring Seal Repair Kit... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JUJQOHY?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Ok, I don't have all the information but I can tell you what happened to me with my 2000 zetec zx3.

I bought this gasket with grommets when I changed my timing belt.

When I was putting everything back together is when I finally noticed they were not even close.

The one I needed was this one, no grommets

I still don't know how you can tell the difference because when I went to autozone to get the gasket before I lost daylight, they also asked me if I wanted the gasket w/grommets or not. Every site and store says the gasket w/grommets will fit too so I don't how to make the distinction before taking the cover off.

Amazon Which isn't bad either.

Those are intake manifold gaskets.

I'm talking about valve cover gaskets.

Fel-Pro VS 50564 R Valve Cover... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000C2GHK8?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Fel-pro makes one-piece pan gaskets that are top notch. I just got done doing this job on my '92, along with the rear main seal, oil filter adapter housing o-rings, and valve cover gasket.

Dry as a bone now.

To OP: I would also check the oil filter adapter for leaking. Very common. And if you do buy gaskets for the pan and valve cover, spend the extra money on the one piece Fe-Pro gaskets. They're worth every penny.

tips on pan gasket replacement:

• Buy RTV that is designed for use with oil
  
• Put RTV on the rear main cap to pan mating surface, the corners where the main cap and block meet, the corners up front on the timing cover, and the lower timing cover to pan mating surface. Also dab some RTV on each side of the pan rail in the middle of each side.
  
• Put the gasket against the block and insert pan bolts close to each location you put RTV above and tighten hand tight
  
• Let sit over night, or long enough that RTV will hold pan gasket in place while you wrestle the pan in place
  
• Before installing pan, put more RTV in the same spots as above, but on the gasket surface this time.
  
• Install pan without trying to wrestle everything in place and getting RTV everywhere except where it should be