97 Saturn dual cam Valve cover casket

If you over tighten something you can make it buckle... I havent done a valve cover on a Saturn but I know on Honda's there are about 4 spots or so that you have to hit with RTV.

For future reference, what you're talking about is a 'gasket' (g). I can't say for sure with your car (!?), but my valve cover is most certainly not plastic. I'm not sure what prompted you to decide that the gasket needed to be changed, but here goes.

Yes, it could be warped, although this would probably only happen if the cover were (removed and) installed improperly. Most drive-train bolts (engine, transmission, axles, wheels, etc) on a car have torque specifications. The DOHC engine valve cover bolts are 89 in-lbs. (Note INCH lbs, not FT lbs - big difference) If you apply more force than the spec, you can damage the gasket, the valve cover, the cylinder head, or other parts of the motor. The eleven (11) valve cover bolts should also be tightened in a specific sequence, and not each one all at once.

You do need RTV, where the cover makes contact with the cylinder head, near the timing cover.

-rj

As an aside to the above, just my opinion on the situation:

Not to discourage you from working on your own car or to come across condesencing, but I would take this to a dealership or a professional mechanic to have it looked at and repaired if nessecary. Drive if the shop is close or have it towed if not, depending on how much oil you're losing. Although unlikely, it is possible that you've bent the valve cover or the head by overtightening the bolts.

Again, not to be overly critical but all I have to go on is what you've said here. Perhaps you're a mechanic who has never worked on saturns before, tho I suspect not. This is a place where wanna-be garage mechanics are encouraged, but sometimes one should start slow. :)

There are lots of little things you can do on your car (tire pressures, check misc fluids, air cleaner) and not have to be concerned that doing it wrong would lead to a serious problem like a loss of oil (pressure) through a broken gasket. Once you're confident in those things, get a friend or the dealership (Saturn dealerships still do this, right?) to show you how to change the oil, or how to check/change plugs/wires. Work your way into "more complex" tasks like replacing an engine seal/gasket. While you're at it, pick up a Haynes or Chilton manual. The Haynes is #87010 and is purplish-red on the cover.

Aga> >

Its possible that he bent the head by overtightening the bolts? ummm.......ok.......

The valve cover would break, the bolts would snap, or the threads would of been pulled out well before that head felt anything from those quarter inch bolts and that plastic valve cover. :-\

LOL thats what I'm saying. And I'll even tell you the first thing that will happen, the threads will pull out. Be very careful with them they are more fragile than one would think.........