about to do my first valve adjust. 2 questions

lvporschepilot · 10-10-2005, 09:15 AM

Hello everyone,

I have done a search relating to how to jack up the rear end but I never came up with any solid answers. I do not feel comfortable with using the factory jack that comes with the car to jack up one side at a time. I worry that when i put the jack stand in and lower the jack that too much chassis flex will occur or something. Can someone make me feel better about this or just explain a way that is safe so i can get both rear wheel up at the same time. That is what I would prefer.

My other question is very simple. Do any of you use gasket sealant on your valve cover gaskets?? If so, what type?

thanks so much everyone. this forum is on my daily hit list of visited websites.

TWork · 10-10-2005, 09:46 AM

PorschePilot --

I think there are a couple good write-ups on how to jack up the car as well as how to do a valve job in the tech articles section. That said, I think the most common points to place jackstands when lifting the rear end are where the torson bars exit out the side of the car near the front of the rear fender. Most people I think use the jack pads that go into the OEM jack point to lift the car. On the valve covers, I just use the gaskets that have the "built-in" bead of silicon on them. Otherwise, they go in dry. You can get them from our host or a number of the other Porsche parts suppliers.

Good luck,

T.

rlane · 10-10-2005, 09:47 AM

I think for safetys sake alone I would go by Sears or equivalent and buy jackstands and a small floor jack. Yous should bever get under the car without it being safely supported on jackstands..never depend on the jack alone!
No sealant..just the new gasket, make sure and torque the valve cover nuts to the correct torque (maybe a 3/8" drive torque wrench at Sears as well?) and be sure and carefully scrape any old gasket material from your valve covers before reinstalling.

kqw · 10:21 AM

Most folks use a standard floor jack with block of wood on the jack plate.

Place the jack under the engine just forward of the oil line.

Place jack stands under the torsion bar tube and gently let the car down on the jacks.

As for sealant...I never used it. No need as far as I can see. Just make sure you torque the nuts to a final 6 ft/lbs using an alternating pattern from center.

I usually torque to 4 ft/lbs and go back an do the final torque to 6 ft/lbs.

Good luck.

lvporschepilot · 10-10-2005, 10:13 AM

thanks much for your help everyone. As I said before, I am very reluctant to jack one side at a time, I will try the block of wood on my floor jack.

PorschePilot · 10-10-2005, 10:19 AM

lvporschepilot...that user name is very close to the one I have been using on this board for the past few years. When I saw someone reply to you as PorschePilot (my user name), I don't want people confusing us. Would you consider changing it?

SLO-BOB · 10-10-2005, 10:19 AM

As described in "101 Projects for Your Porsche" pg. 17, "the engine sump is one of the best ways to jack up your Porsche....." Protect it with a block of wood.

You need a few things it sounds like-

Floor jack-essential

Jack stands-essential

101 Book-essential

I wouldn't even start w/o those three. I have done it once. I would also consider-

Island's feeler gauge. While the one I got from our host works, I felt there was room for improvement.

sammyg2 · 10-10-2005, 10:29 AM

The factory jack is to be used in an emergency only, and then very carefully.
Lots of stories of them failing, sometimes with very bad results.
Jack stands are a must, and absolutely no cinder or concrete blocks ever. They break and crumble, usually at the worst time. I've seen it happen and it scared the crap out of me. Eeewwww. Sorry about the visual.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

Part of the reason to DIY a valve adjustment is so you can buy essential tools with the money you didn't pay a pro to do the work. Go buy a good floor jack and jack stands. Absolute must - like having gas in your car before you go on a trip. When I put my car on jack stands, I put the wheels under the car and also leave the floor jack in place. You can't be too redundant when it's your life at stake.

lvporschepilot · 10-10-2005, 11:28 AM

I have all the tools (floor jack, jack stands etc). Thanks all for the quick and decisive replies.
As to changing my username, I could do that but honestly, has anyone ever confused us? I like to believe that people on this forum are of reasonable and many even at extraordinary intelligence and could certainly decifer between "PorschePilot" and "lvporschepilot".