Valve Cover Gasket Replacement Help

[slychicken37]

I have a 2001 2.3L DOHC 4-Cylinder and would like some advise on whether I am going in the correct direction.

I just performed a tune-up due to a bucking/hesitation problem. I put a new MAF sensor in as well as Plug wire and Spark plugs. My new parts fixed my hesitation problem but when removing the plugs on cylinders 2 & 3 there was oil in the spark plug tube. I have been told by several people that this means I have a leaky valve cover gasket which is allowing oil to leak past the spark plug into the spark plug tube.

Does anybody have a write-up on how to replace the gasket? Off hand I think it involves removing the intake manifold/throttle body and then removing the valve cover. I do have a Chilton manual but always like the opinions of people who have done it.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

-Slychicken37

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

it sounds like you are on the right track. i havent worked on any 2.3ls never than 95, but you should still have to remove the upper intake manifold and possibly the alternator if it is in a spot where it causes interference. overall its a simple job, if you have an egr valve it may be tough to get that portion apart, i ended up breaking my egr tube while trying to flex it out of the way to get the manifold off, but mine is also 11 years older.