I am about to replace my valve cover gasket today and I feel proetty confident about doing that, the question I have actually refers to another gasket.

When looking down at the engine, off to the left of where the valve cover is and attached to the side of the (engine?) there appears to be some type of round black cap which is bolted onto the piece of the engine which is directly below the valve cover (what is this referred to as? the engine?) with 4 bolts. it is just to the right of where the underdrive pulley is. Well anyways the rubber gasket which is between this black cap and the engine has a tear in it and seems to be a little warped. Well what is this piece exactly and how does this torn gasket affect my car at all? I'm trying to be as specific as possible, but with my limitied knowledge of cars, it's pretty tough. I can post a pic later if that would help. Thanks guys.

~jeff~

P.S. I have a 1994 protege dx SOHC

 

i think i may have discovered that this 'gasket' is actually the crankshaft seal...does that sound about right, and if so is it possible for oil to leak if this seal is not intact?

~jeff~

 

That's what I thought at first after reading your post, but I wasn't sure. This thread might help you out:

http://www.protegeclub.com/forum/sho...rear+main+seal

 

that nice black piece of plastic, if i'm right, is your timing belt shroud/cover... some cars require the removal of this shroud, some valve covers just come off by taking all the bolts off, the breather tube and pulling it off to the side a little, and up. not too sure on our cars as i haven't done this yet


jeff, told you, break your post up and you'll get answers

 

It sure sounds like you are talking about the plastic cover for the timing belt. The little gasket is just there to seal the cover. The main seal is behind timing belt. If it was a main seal leak, there would be oil at the bottom of the engine and all over the engine compartment where it was flung off by the main pulley.