Replacig spark plugs and rocket cover gasket

[nguyepe]

Hi all,

I just bought this part of Mitsfix GENUINE Mitsubishi 380 6G75 3.8l Rocker Cover Gasket Kit x 2. I won't be replacing it myself but will get a mechanic to do it.. Other than spark plugs, is the rocket gasket and spark plugs seals all i need to get the job done? Is there any other parts like seals or gaskets i require? Would the mechanic need to take inlet manifold off? If so, would I need gasket for it?

[Rob's 380]

You only need the Rocker Cover Gasket Kit, the inlet manifold does need to come off, but the gasket is a metal one and is normally reused.

[nguyepe]

Great thanks for the reply

[Pommyman]

The gasket is a real damn pain to remove from the cover. Mine seemed like it had been glued or melted into where it goes. Be careful removing it so you don't damage the groove area so you get further leaks. As Rob says, the manifold does have to come off and it's actually a relatively easy affair.

[Rob's 380]

Be very careful when your mechanic replaces the rocker covers as the bolts should only be torqued up to 3.5Nm and don't use any goo.

[faded380]

I had great fun removing my rocker cover too...
When a coil pack on the rear bank started misfiring from oil leaking into the spark plug wells, had no choice but to replace my rear rocker cover gasket.
It ended up taking the best part of a day and most of that time was spent removing the old gasket.
I tried all the scrapers, blades and chisels I had to remove it without damaging the rocker cover or my hands. In the end I used a grout removing blade
on the end of a reciprocating saw to chew out the bulk of the gasket, inch by inch, leaving the last mm in the base of the channel to scrape out with a chisel.
To be sure that it wasn't going to leak, a smear of silicone applied the channel before dropping in the gasket took care of the sealing as there were still traces of gasket stuck in the cover channel.
While it was a success, it put me off doing the front bank until it leaked.
Now two years later the front one one has begun to leak...
A number of mechanics have told me - if it's a 380 - there is no easy way...it depends on luck how bad it is.
If anyone has any magic chemical or technique - I'd appreciate knowing about it!

[Paper]

Maybe lacquer thinners soaking in the groove where the gasket lives or residue remains?
Or Selleys silicon remover, or paint stripper.
(whatever of those,if any, you try, do a small test 1st)
Maybe a blast with a heat gun, being careful not to overheat and flake the rocker cover paint off.