Valve Cover Gasket

Probably a dumb question but here goes...

I pulled the valve cover off to replace a leaking gasket and half moon plugs. The old gasket is pretty brittle and broke off in many places. However, there are a lot of places where the gasket appears to be glued down. What is the best/easiest/safest way to remove the old gasket so I have a clean smooth surface for the new one? Is there a chemical that is good at breaking it down so I can peel it off? If not, what is a good tool to use to scrape it off without gouging the metal?

 

You need to buy a gasket scraper at your local auto parts. It's a specially-shaped "dull chisel" ideal for scraping without gouging.

There is also a product called "spray on gasket remover" manufactured by Permatex, NAPA and others that will take it off but it is nasty stuff and should only be used on parts that are OFF the engine.

I also like those plastic kitchen scrapers or a nice sharp new plastic putty knife from the hardware store.

 

D'oh!!!! I should have thought of plastic for scraping. I saw the spray on gasket remover at the auto store, but most of the gasket is on the engine so I was leary of using it. Thanks Fitz.

Would lacquer thinner or something similar work to weaken the gasket/metal bond and would it be safe to use on a rag for that purpose?

 

I keep lacquer thinner in the shop too; but I usually "work up" to a solvent that 'hot.' But yes, it will, in a lot of situations.

However: I was in my local NAPA today, and discovered THIS: http://www.permatex.com/products/Automo ... emover.htm

It has a brush-on applicator and claims to be nowhere near as nasty as the spray stuff. Haven't tried it yet.

 

That's the same stuff I was looking at yesterday. Maybe I will try some out. If I do, I will report the results back here.

 

stupid me bought a window sticker scraper last weekend and used a new razor on it. ended up keeping the nose of the shop vac while i scraped. I'm still having trouble with a razor, i don't think plastic would ever work on mine, hope your is different

 

lathe bit
these are the best things i've found keep it flat on the part and it can't dig in, a machine shop will probably sell ya one and you'll never ware it out