Good afternoon. I am attempting to remove my valve cover to replace the gasket after seeing oil in #7 spark plug boot.

My question is does the black piece that goes over the pcv valve simply push on? I have tried pulling pretty hard but figured I’d ask for assistance before breaking anything.

If anybody has any advice as well on this, I would appreciate it. What started out as a soark plug change (185K miles first spark plug change), has definitely moved into a learning experience.

 

I Dunno, looks like a plastic clamp and if you squeeze it tighter, can release the hook.

Just curious what weight of oil you are running?

My Father was running 10/30 on a older Dodge that called for 5/30 .... results were, valve covers leaked, pcv valve leaked .... lifters made noise .... It was just a mess.
I switched to a thinner oil, lifters got quiet and it no longer leaked oil.

Thats why I ask what oil does your engine call for, and are you using that oil?

I have a older 1993 Dodge, the valve cover gaskets are of the highest quality and thick .... they will not leak .... unless there is too much pressure in the crankcase.

 

Using 5w-20, which is what it calls for. I changed the spark plugs because they’ve never been done but it was a very small amount of oil. No leaks, not burning oil, or anything like that. Debating whether it’s worth it to change the gaskets or not right now but figured it would get worse as time goes on.

 

Just my worthless opinion .... If you are seeing oil leaking ..... My first thoughts are crankcase ventilation and to thick of oil is a possibility.
Also a stuck PCV valve .... I would want to check it by removing it and shaking it ..... to see if it is moving .... for the price I would just replace it at 185K miles.

I really think that clamp if you gingerly squeeze it with a pair of pliers ... while it compresses, the plastic hook will get loose and release.

There really should be no pressure in the crankcase and a properly working system on a older vehicle would never have a clamp on it .... not sure why yours does.
If the clamp broke I would just replace it with a standard worm drive or spring clamp .... the plastic clamp proves there is no pressure there .... why they even have it is beyond my thinking.

You may need to replace the gaskets. .... My experience may be different then yours. I have a 1993 vehicle 10 years older then yours. ..... With high EPA standards .... they fixed leaky gaskets.



I'm just saying, I have a used set of gaskets hanging on the wall I would not hesitate to re-use. ... oil pan, valve cover, plenum, exhaust.
My 1965 Impala with a 327 and cork valve cover gaskets .... was a constant problem .... today's modern cars normally do not leak from gasket failure .... I first suspect something else is going on ... new gaskets will not help ..... Hey if they are bad and need replaced that is fine ..... just not my first conclusion.