Lurker needs encouragement

[jellyfish]

Howdy folks,

I have a 2002 LS V6 engine and I've done a lot of research and found the tech articles very helpful.

My husband and I are going to attempt a "tune-up" including changing the spark plugs, COPs, PCV (and elbow), and valve cover gaskets.

Here are links to products I've found. Maybe this will be useful to someone else in the future.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...rue&ref_=ox_sc_sfl_title_5&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...rue&ref_=ox_sc_sfl_title_6&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...rue&ref_=ox_sc_sfl_title_3&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...ue&ref_=ox_sc_sfl_title_2&smid=A3KQI776IVRETC

http://www.ebay.com/itm/111613617059?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

All for the 2002 V6 LS.

Now, My main concern is about the valve cover gasket and the "adhesive" I'm supposed to us and how much of that should I put on there and the best way to secure it the right way because I read a thread where some guy blew his engine up and I don't want to do that.

I'd also like to know if you think it'd be worth it to buy the manual CD off of ebay?

We haven't started on this repair yet. I hope it's not too difficult. I'm also confused about the grease and how to apply it to the COPs???

I also am wondering about disconnecting things/ draining something concerning fuel or coolant. I can't find any links telling me when and how to do that part or even if it's a necessary part of the repair.

If you've done this repair before, I'd like to hear any advise about the things I'm not too sure about.

Have a great day and thanks

 

[joegr]

...Now, My main concern is about the valve cover gasket and the "adhesive" I'm supposed to us and how much of that should I put on there and the best way to secure it the right way because I read a thread where some guy blew his engine up and I don't want to do that...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002UEN1U?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00
Use very little of it. You only want to put a dab in four places. At the front of each valve cover are two wide spots in the gasket. This is were the front timing cover meets the heads. Be sure to get all the old sealant off first. (also, clean all the dirt off all of the mating surfaces on the engine for the gaskets. Be sure not to get any of that dirt in the engine.

...I'm also confused about the grease and how to apply it to the COPs???...

Pull each rubber boot off of each COP. Apply some dielectric grease around the inside of the top of each boot. Reinstall the boots and rotate them some to make sure to spread the grease all the way around. Now, put some dielectric grease on the inside of the bottom of each boot. Squeeze the boot bottom together to make sure it spreads all around. The purpose of all this is to make a water tight seal between the boot and the coil, and between the spark plug and the boot. Since this is the V6, you can also spread a little around the outside of the boot where it seals to the spark plug well.

 

[jellyfish]

Thanks!

We still haven't started the repair. The car is leaking a tiny bit of oil and intermittently the check engine light comes on. The car is parked now. It drives fine but we aren't driving it because I've read on here that driving it with the check engine light on can cause damage to the catalytic converters. The code we got from auto zone said something about the #3 spark plug area, I can't remember the exact code or wording at this moment.