Any tricks to getting old valve cover gasket off?

[Joel750T]

Any tricks to getting old valve cover gasket off? I have about 80% of it off fine after my first try at a valve adjustment (not bad at all thanks to the docs!), rest is bonded in.

Two credit cards and a bandaid down so far..

[kparkfan]

I use a razor blade to do mine. Just need to be careful not to gouge any grooves into it. Might try to wt it down with some oil or WD40 to help loosen it.

[Nessism]

Removing the old gasket is by far the worst part about performing a valve adjustment. Permatex sells a gasket remover spray that will help soften the gasket, but that only helps, it does not make the job easy. Spray the sauce in a cup and then dab it on with a paint brush or similar. The gasket remover will eat off paint so keep it from dripping on your engine. Paint stripper also works pretty well to soften the old gasket. Sucky job but one that must be done so take your time and don't hurry.

[rapidray]

Get a shallow baking pan, big enough to put the valve cover in. Put about 1/4 inch of water & dish soap in it & put the valve cover in the pan with the gasket in the water. Overnight or a whole day should be enough to do the trick on it. Then just scrape as needed. Ray.

[Nessism]

Yea, hopefully the gasket is stuck to the valve cover instead of the engine. Ray's trick is a good one if it is.

[koolaid_kid]

Please understand, this is a bit tongue-in-cheek -- The best trick on removing a valve cover gasket is to install it correctly in the first place.
You have been offered several good solutions to remove it. Your real problem (IMHO) was the manner in which it was installed in the first place.
When you finally get the new one (OEM I hope) install it dry, or with a bit of grease for keeping things lined up. Then when you go to remove it the next time, you won't be confronted with this issue again.
Best of luck.

[Joel750T]

Thanks all, I appreciate it. Got it off, fortunately, it was all on the cover, not the engine. Found some other sites before I got a response here and saw some people mention wd40 so I gave it a shot and it worked fairly well, along with a thick bladed putty knife I had. Sprayed the new one down with WD40, fired right up, no leaks. Job not so bad..

[Tom R]

This is probably the carpenter in me; but I always use a piece of oak or any scrap hardwood I have in my bin. I'll cut at least a 45 degree bevel on it and scrape away without any worry of gouging the aluminum. Only takes a trip to the miter box to sharpen as necessary.