Items needed:
-Engine cleaner of your choice (I used Simple Green)
-10mm socket
-Torque wrench (if you have one, not needed, but recommended)
-Flat head screwdriver
-Sandpaper (400-800 grit will do)
-Painting masks
-Plastic trash bags
-Scissors
-Masking Tape
-Utility Knife
-Primer
-Paint of your choice (high temp is not NEEDED but its up to you)
-Newspaper (or something to spray paint on; cardboard, plastic, etc.)
-Oven (for heat treating the primer and paint)

1) Remove the plastic engine cover.
http://www.msprotege.com/members/ninjastance/xB-valve-cover/00018.jpg
-Remove the four nuts and remove the cover. Now place it somewhere else cause I'm sick of looking at it! :)

2) Remove the clips from the spark plug coils
http://www.msprotege.com/members/ninjastance/xB-valve-cover/00019.jpg
-Apply pressure on the clip and pull.

3) Remove the bolts from the spark plug coils..BUT do not take the coils out YET.
http://www.msprotege.com/members/ninjastance/xB-valve-cover/00020.jpg
-Remove the 4 coil bolts but do not remove the coils yet. Need them there to keep dirt out.

4) Remove the wire harness clip from the metal thing.
http://www.msprotege.com/members/ninjastance/xB-valve-cover/00022.jpg
-Use the flathead screwdriver to release the clip, then pull it up and then off.
-Next take out the metal thing's bolt and remove the metal thing.
http://www.msprotege.com/members/ninjastance/xB-valve-cover/00023.jpg

5) Remove the 7 bolts outside of the valve cover. Do not remove the middle bolts by the coils, yet.
http://www.msprotege.com/members/ninjastance/xB-valve-cover/00029.jpg
-After you remove the 7 outside bolts, remove the spark plug coils and then remove the middle two bolts.

http://www.msprotege.com/members/ninjastance/xB-valve-cover/00033.jpg

6) Remove the valve cover! AHHHHH! It's tha cAmS!@##%^
-On the front left and right side of the valve cover are two wannabe hinges/handles. Use those to remove the valve cover. Pull up and back towards the exhaust manifold.
-You will feel and hear the valve cover gasket release and it may even pop out. Keep pulling up until you remove the valve cover and see this... your box's engine!! THA CAMS!!! :P
-Place the valve cover on something clean with the underside exposed.

http://www.msprotege.com/members/ninjastance/xB-valve-cover/00038.jpg
http://www.msprotege.com/members/ninjastance/xB-valve-cover/00037.jpg
-Cover the head and the hoses with plastic bags.
http://www.msprotege.com/members/ninjastance/xB-valve-cover/00057.jpg
OHIO STATE!!!! WOOOO!!!!

7) Remove the gasket from the valve cover.
http://www.msprotege.com/members/ninjastance/xB-valve-cover/00036.jpg
-Put the gasket on something clean and cover it to keep dirt off.
http://www.msprotege.com/members/ninjastance/xB-valve-cover/00035.jpg
http://www.msprotege.com/members/ninjastance/xB-valve-cover/00042.jpg
-Turn the valve cover right side up.
-Clean the valve cover.

8 ) Prep the valve cover for sanding.
http://www.msprotege.com/members/ninjastance/xB-valve-cover/00045.jpg
-Fill the spark plug and oil holes with newspaper.
http://www.msprotege.com/members/ninjastance/xB-valve-cover/00051.jpg
-Mask off the oil hole.
-Mask off the middle two holes where the spark coils are.
-Mask off the studs.
-Mask off the valve cover spouts.

-Prepare to deface your xB's valve cover! Wooooo!
http://www.msprotege.com/members/ninjastance/xB-valve-cover/00048.jpg

-Sand to your desired texture. You want it to be smooth on every part of the valve cover. You want the primer to stick. So make sure the surface is smooth.
http://www.msprotege.com/members/ninjastance/xB-valve-cover/00049.jpg
* I did a crappy job sanding. As you can tell from the picture... just make sure yours is smoother than mine, lol.

9) Primer Time. Spray from left to right/right to left in even sprays. Let dry 5-10 minutes between coats. Do 2-3 coats or until your satisfied with the result.
http://www.msprotege.com/members/ninjastance/xB-valve-cover/00062.jpg
-Let it dry for 15-30 minutes. Turn on your oven to 215F and put the valve cover in for 15 minutes.
http://www.msprotege.com/members/ninjastance/xB-valve-cover/00058.jpg
-This will heat treat the primer and also give you the reassurance that it is 100% dry.
-After 15 minutes, pull the valve cover out and let it sit until you can handle it with your hands.

10) It's time to paint.
http://www.msprotege.com/members/ninjastance/xB-valve-cover/00063.jpg
-Set the valve cover on your painting surface, and do the same as you did with the primer. Left to right/right to left in even sprays. DO NOT OVER SPRAY.
-After the first coat let the valve cover dry for 15 minutes. DO NOT TOUCH IT.
http://www.msprotege.com/members/ninjastance/xB-valve-cover/first-coat.jpg

-Apply your second/third/fourth (whatever your satisfied with, 2-3 coats should be enough.)
http://www.msprotege.com/members/ninjastance/xB-valve-cover/second-coat.jpg
*Notice my overspray...I'm horrible with the can aim. :(

-Put the valve cover in the oven, 215F, but this time leave it in for 30 minutes.
http://www.msprotege.com/members/ninjastance/xB-valve-cover/00066.jpg

-Pull the valve cover out and let it sit for an hour at the LEAST. If you over sprayed at all, it should be less noticeable due to the heat treatment. (Look how mine came out... woooo.)
http://www.msprotege.com/members/ninjastance/xB-valve-cover/00071.jpg
http://www.msprotege.com/members/ninjastance/xB-valve-cover/00069.jpg

11) Remove the masking tape.
http://www.msprotege.com/members/ninjastance/xB-valve-cover/finished-01.jpg
-Remove all the tape, be gentle, try not to scratch your new paint job!
http://www.msprotege.com/members/ninjastance/xB-valve-cover/finished-02.jpg

12) Reinstall the gasket
http://www.msprotege.com/members/ninjastance/xB-valve-cover/finished-03.jpg
-It only fits one way. Make sure it is seated properly.

13) Reinstall the valve cover!
-Put everything back in its place!
-Torque the bolts to 14-15lbs
-Make sure everything is to spec, check the spark plug cables.
-Once your sure everything is correct.. take a minute and look at your work!

http://www.msprotege.com/members/ninjastance/xB-valve-cover/finished-05.jpg
http://www.msprotege.com/members/ninjastance/xB-valve-cover/finished-04.jpg
http://www.msprotege.com/members/ninjastance/xB-valve-cover/finished-08.jpg
http://www.msprotege.com/members/ninjastance/xB-valve-cover/finished-09.jpg

-Good luck on your valve cover if you decide to use my " How To "

Thanks for looking!

Good job. It looks meaner without the plastic cover. I might show this to a friend for his Honda.

Good job. It looks meaner without the plastic cover. I might show this to a friend for his Honda.

Thanks!

Speaking of hondas... I was going to paint the cover in wrinkle red like Honda's are, but I couldnt find wrinkle red at any stores. So, I settled for black.

thats really cool, thanks for writing this up. I have a carbon fiber engine cover, but i might paint my valve cover, just so when i take off the engine cover i can look at it.

this is an awesome how to........ do you think that spray chrome will stick without chipping......... my plan is 2 coats of primer, wet sand, 3-4 more coats of primer, wet sand again, chrome paint, and then doing this clear blue spray on top of the chrome, then clear coating several times..... I'll prob do it within the next couple months




oh and my disclaimer: I do urban artwork so I know how to use a can :wink: (Legally on private property :P )

awesome job man

will work on getting this moved to the tech section

are your worrie about the high heat from the valve cover messing up the paint job. I know the make a special high heat paint for blocks and such?

thanks for the compliments!

as for being worried, nope. most paint can withstand the motors heat. the key is to treat the paint properly during the primer and paint process. if you dont heat treat it, the paint will crack and it will erode easily.

anyone else have a painted valve cover.

lets see your valve covers guys!

sweet, any chance they make a gold/bronze wrinkle finish? and where can u buy this?

i know VHT makes a ton of different color wrinkle finishes. VHT paint is pretty hard to find in local stores. You best bet would be to search online for VHT wrinkle finish.

You can check an auto paint store. There should be plenty around your area.

great how to do

I did this same mod to my Miata two years ago and have had zero negative effects. I used a hair dryer to get the wrinkle effect. It looks stout.

heh while you have your valve cover off... might as well and change your oil, cool thing is you can dump all 4 quarts in it all at once heh

heh while you have your valve cover off... might as well and change your oil, cool thing is you can dump all 4 quarts in it all at once heh

hah, true.

http://www.msprotege.com/members/ninjastance/xB-valve-cover/00038.jpg

Does the xA/xB have a timing-belt or a timing-chain? :rofl:

From now on, all newbies asking this question will be referred to this pic. :lalala:


Nice work , BTW! :clap:

that looks really good

thanks for the compliments guys, anyone else paint their valve cover yet?

sweet, any chance they make a gold/bronze wrinkle finish? and where can u buy this?

this was all i could dig up, i dont see a wrinkle though.

http://store.summitracing.com/egnsearch.asp?Ntt=vht+gold&x=0&y=0&searchinresults=false&Ntk=KeywordSearch&DDS=1&N=700+115

looks good!!!!!

the pics don't work for me. any chance you could fix the links

pics should be working now. may have been the host having issues.

nice job. i might consider doing this is wrinkle red.

I heard that if you paint your valve cover or any auto parts and heat treat it in your oven, that it is dangerous cause of the fumes that you leave behind in the treating process. Something with poisonous gases the next time you use it to cook food. Is this true or is it totally safe to heat treat your valve cover in the oven and then cook afterwards with it.

I spray painted and mine and heat treated it in my oven, been cooking with it for a good while too. Hmm don't know, its worth googling though.

Nothing can be found on the dangers of heat treating a valve cover in a kitchen oven. Is there anyone who can clarify this problem for all of us do it yourselfers. I think we all want a sick valve cover but we also don't want to die from it.

damn it! what kind of bolts do these ppl use when they make the car! i broke two of them! the middle front and bacl of the vale cover! everything went smooth except when it cam time to bolt the valve cover back on! damn it now i gotta go get some bolts.....

^^ dont leave your valve cover in too long, and dont use too high of a temp. Its paint, so it is toxic, thats not gonna change.

mijos87, how many lb's are you tightening your bolts at!

Back when I did an article on powder coating, they warned me repeatedly to tell people not to use their ovens for food again. A $50 oven can be had that can meet all of your part baking needs. Just my opinion, it's better to error on the side of caution.
I just did my valvecover, and had a bit of a battle. The two staged "anodized" look paints can be a pain. I ended up stripping the initial coat off, then spending quite a few hours smoothing the surface w/ 3M rolloc discs. Red discs first, then finishing with the blues. I"ll get a pick up soon. There's a guy on here offering to PC covers for around $50....I'd seriously take him up on that.

PC is going to off you a higher level of durability. Greater chip resistance too.

Just some thoughts. :)

Back when I did a article on powder coating, they warned me repeatedly to tell people not to use their ovens for food again. A $50 oven can be had that can meat all of your part baking needs. Just my opinion, it's better to error on the side of caution.
I just did my valvecover, and had a bit of a battle. The two staged "anodized" look paints can be a pain. I ended up stripping the initial coat off, then spending quite a few hours smoothing the surface w/ 3M rolloc discs. Red discs first, then finishing with the blues. I"ll get a pick up soon. There's a guy on here offering to PC covers for around $50....I'd seriously take him up on that.

PC is going to off you a higher level of durability. Greater chip resistance too.

Just some thoughts. :)

You are so right! I know alot of people think doing it themselves is the best way to go as far as expense but it is a time consuming process and the heat from the engine may effect the paint and the finish over time. Powder Coating is the best way to go. I am working on getting a sponsorship on SL so i can let you all know what i do at my shop. Just a heads up, tC covers are Magnesium, this metal is hard to work with and my shop is pretty educated on coating them. If you have any PC questions let me know. :)

if anyone got/gets sick, im sorry. do it at your own risk, lol

Nin, please don't think I was "attacking" you, just trying to help people. We can all learn from each other. :)

Nah, np at all jet, i appreciate the info. seriously! saftey FIRST!

I like it!

looks freakin killer

http://www.msprotege.com/members/ninjastance/xB-valve-cover/00038.jpg

Does the xA/xB have a timing-belt or a timing-chain? :rofl:

From now on, all newbies asking this question will be referred to this pic. :lalala:


Nice work , BTW! :clap:


AH HA so they do use a timing-belt!!!

This is a great write up and I don't want to make a new topic of this, but has anyone tried just sanding and polishing their valve cover??? I was thinking of sanding and using mothers polish, but I don't know if it's going to work and last or not... Any insight would be appreciated.

nice write up.. now i just need to stop being lazy & try this out

DANG!!!Thats sick...I ma6y have to try this.

hey thanks for the write up this was the best sunday mod ever.

folow these directions and youll get it done

couldnt be happier with the results


http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb55/newtc4me/DSC02009.jpg

Glad to see people using this!

Yea, I gotta do mine soon.

awesome jsut saw this

it was supper easy!

very nice write up

Yes very nice!! Warning for TC owners the spark plug cable plastic holder on the right of the valve cover is a _____ I broke it while trying to remove the cover. No big though I cant wait to get my wrinkle red in the mail. I'll post pics.. I cant wait to put these on also just got them in!

http://hotlink.myspacecdn.com/images02/18/f26b7dbbc3294f89b75025265dd2b414/m.jpg

hate to bump this, but I have a question.

There was no need to use a sealant before installing the valve cover back on?

if you took care of things taking it apart...no.


there is a rubber gasket that fits in a grove. if you kept that intact and clean (oiled), thats all you need.

take a look at steps 7 and 12...you'll see the gasket grove in 7 and with it back in place in 12.

of course you should make sure you don't nic the gasket or have it fall out of place when putting it back in...run the car for a min or two while looking for leaks around the gasket seems...

:bow:

that's all I needed to know.

http://www.club-tc.com/forums/engine/5574-removing-cylinder-head-cover-sub-assembly-aka-valve-cover.html

This DIY recomended to use the black toyota silicone to hep seal everything but everyone I talked to never mentioned anything about the stuff so just thought I would ask.

yes use the sealant. it wont hurt. i need to re-do mine and this time im using the sealant.

why do you need to redo it???

is the paint coming off or is it leaking oil?

the paint is perfect. its leaking a small amount of oil.

what if after removing all the nuts and bolts you still can't take the valve cover off?

nvm, I manned up and got it out lol

Is there a easy way to tell if your leaking oil because I think I'm leaking a bit from the back above the fuel rail. But I'm not sure if it's just crud or oil...if I am it's not a whole lot.

I broke several bolts with the given torque specs of 15lbs in the diy. Afterwards, I discovered that the actual specs are 8lbs for the short bolts and 2 nuts around the edge. 10lbs for the 2 long bolts in the middle. You may wish to update the first post.

Thanks. This really improved the look of my engine bay for a small amount of time and effort with very little cost.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4109/4844957287_0de6c8f61d.jpg

If it's an 08' don't you have the 2.4L?
I think the DIY is meant for 1st gen with 1.5L. Specs will most likely be different

Will be doing this in the near future, wrinkle red FTW

Worthy of a bump