Valve cover gaskets are the easiest thing to do IMHO on the vanagon. Take a
big screw driver and insert it between the valve cover and the hold down
spring. Then just slide it up over the top and remove the cover. Some oil,
not much, will run out. put the new gasket in the cover after removing the
old and use the same screw driver procedure to put the clamp back into the
tiny slot in the center of the cover. Done! Pat yourself on the back for a
job well done.

Joe

----- Original Message -----
From: "developtrust" <developtrust@HOME.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, January 26, 2002 4:41 PM
Subject: Minor Oil pump leak and minor valve cover leak

> Today while inspecting the underside of my 1989 vanagon GL for anything
> unusual I noticed a very minor bit of oil coming from the oil pump and
also
> a minor bit of oil on the bottom of my valve covers.
>
> Assuming the gasket on the oil pump might benefit from tightening the four
> 13 mm nuts I was able to use a u-joint socket and a couple of extensions
to
> reach the bottom two and tighten them a tad. But the top two seem
difficult
> to get at.
>
> Has anyone been able to get to the top two nuts to tighten them without
> major dismantling of other stuff in the way?
>
> I assume that replacing the valve cover gaskets is a minor job? Having
never
> done this before can anyone offer advice here? Live with the minor leak or
> replace the gaskets?
>
> William Polowniak
> 1989 Vanagon GL
> 1988 Mercedes 300 SE
>