Valve cover gasket help

[home4sale2]

Hi, I will have full access to wife's car as she leaves town for a couple of weeks coming up so want to learn and fix some ongoing nagging problems. Just replaced the transmission for a lot of $$$s and I need to save some money so I can keep this explorer for a few more years. I have a 2002 4.0L V6 XLT.

I am a fast learner, have been reading here quite a bit. I recently replaced the DPFE sensor and here's a list of to do's:

1. Replace AC accumulator (it's leaking, think I am good here but will start another thread as needed)
2. Replace spark plugs, wire set and coil (parts on the way, think I am good here)
3. Valve cover gasket - driver side leak is getting worse, smoke under the hood getting worse as it falls down and making everyone nautious when the fan runs inside the cabin. I have confirmed from a mechanic that I need gaskets so I went ahead and ordered the FelPro with grommets. The passenger side is just seepage but I might want to do it while I am at it

I have seen instructions on eHOW and they are useless, first step, remove engine, second step remove transmission...aarghh. I have seen instructions here that are detailed (ex. from member FOO) but no pictures or a video (nothing on Youtube either); ex. http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=352830&highlight=valve+gasket

Can anyone shed more light on this? Anyone in Chicago that recently did this?

Thank you.

 

[drbombay]

On my 03 the intake crosses over the passenger side cover. It had to be removed to get at the cover. Many, many headaches. Torx bolts stripping etc. The cover bolts themselves were rusted so they were a size in between metric and standard. If yours is the same good luck.

 

[home4sale2]

On my 03 the intake crosses over the passenger side cover. It had to be removed to get at the cover. Many, many headaches. Torx bolts stripping etc. The cover bolts themselves were rusted so they were a size in between metric and standard. If yours is the same good luck.

I am beginning to think if this is going to be too much of a challenge for me, getting discouraged. Case in point, I was trying to replace the PCV valve yesterday and that alone is a pain in the neck (behind valve cover towards the firewall on the V6). I ended up getting a lot of grease on my hands (there's leakage everywhere) but couldn't get the sucker loose (I know there's a clamp there but hard to see what I am trying to loosen). Maybe when I get the manifold off, it will make things easier.

Should I order and replace a manifold gasket while I am at it? Are there parts I should order (ex. screws, plastic tabs, vacuum hoses, etc.) in advance?

Thanks

 

[drbombay]

I live in a rusty place so yours may go very easily. You should replace the intake gaskets if you remove the intake.