2.4 valve cover gasket

[Elyse8743]

This should be so easy. But good lord.

So has anyone done this on a 2.4 before? I went to replace spark plugs tonight due to a p0304 code that the jeep threw. On idle when I first start the jeep, it kinda sputters a bit etc. So I pulled the plugs and there's oil on the 4th plug.

It's got 190,000. and I can tell has been seeping a bit out of the valve cover, so I figured that replacing that + the O-ring gaskets should be my next course of action to make sure that plug is good to go.

I'm stuck at getting the intake manifold off. I can't get to the bolts which are on the underside of the manifold (there's one on the other side that I have to undo as well):

ALSO I broke off that lil nipple thing (PCV valve?), so I'm going to have to replace that. fml.

This is the bolt I'm trying to get to (and there's another one in the back of the VC behind the manifold that I'll have to access as well):

Anyways, any advice on how to get those bolts, or to get to that cover? special tools I should use? I feel like this is such a simple job and not one that I want to outsource, but I can't find videos of anyone doing it on the 2.4, and it's far, far easier looking on the 2.5 or 4.0 lol.

*edit, I should mention the manual shows the manifold as a 2 part thing, and it's not - it's one solid piece that won't come apart.

 

[Elyse8743]

*accidentally double posted myself, sorry!

 

[Jamison C]

The manifolds on the Jeep 2.4s (the Liberty KJ also used this engine) are one piece. It’s not an easy job, but removing the fuel rail and injectors helps clear up enough space to maneuver around in there. A two-way 13mm ratcheting wrench significantly helps.

 

[Jamison C]

Oh and this might go without saying but if you decide to remove the fuel rail, be sure to depressurize it first lol.

 

[Elyse8743]

The manifolds on the Jeep 2.4s (the Liberty KJ also used this engine) are one piece. It’s not an easy job, but removing the fuel rail and injectors helps clear up enough space to maneuver around in there. A two-way 13mm ratcheting wrench significantly helps.

I woke up this morning and my first thought was "I should try a ratcheting wrench". Ha, I'll have to pick some up when I go to pick up that PCV valve replacement today.

And thanks for the heads up on depressurizing the fuel rail. I've never actually done anything close to removing those or anything and probably would not have realized to do that!

 

[Jamison C]

And thanks for the heads up on depressurizing the fuel rail. I've never actually done anything close to removing those or anything and probably would not have realized to do that!

It’s just a couple of bolts holding it in I believe. Pull the fuel pump relay then crank the vehicle for a few seconds to burn off the excess fuel in the line/rail/injectors.

 

[John_Galt]

I woke up this morning and my first thought was "I should try a ratcheting wrench". Ha, I'll have to pick some up when I go to pick up that PCV valve replacement today.

And thanks for the heads up on depressurizing the fuel rail. I've never actually done anything close to removing those or anything and probably would not have realized to do that!

Hey Elyse8743,

I'm trying to replace the valve cover gasket on my '04 2.4l TJ and came across this thread. I'm stuck at trying to remove the bolts from the intake manifold. I have the online version of the Haynes manual but there aren't any diagrams. Will you please share the rest of the story here on how you were able to complete the job? Were you ever able to confirm whether or not the intake manifold is infact two pieces or one? The manual states that it's two pieces. So far, I've got two bolts out of the intake manifold, I know where one other bolt is that I can't seem to reach with any kind of leverage and I'm unsure how many more bolts there may be.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.


Thank you,



George

 

[Elyse8743]

Hey Elyse8743,

I'm trying to replace the valve cover gasket on my '04 2.4l TJ and came across this thread. I'm stuck at trying to remove the bolts from the intake manifold. I have the online version of the Haynes manual but there aren't any diagrams. Will you please share the rest of the story here on how you were able to complete the job? Were you ever able to confirm whether or not the intake manifold is infact two pieces or one? The manual states that it's two pieces. So far, I've got two bolts out of the intake manifold, I know where one other bolt is that I can't seem to reach with any kind of leverage and I'm unsure how many more bolts there may be.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.


Thank you,



George

I wish I could help you - I ended up having a shop do it after all was said and done. I work out of my landlord's driveway so I didn't want to get myself into a situation I couldn't put back together, haha. I am pretty sure the manifold is 2 pieces, though, from all the research I was doing. You're probably stuck on that same bolt I was ! I -think- like Jamison said you should be able to just pull the fuel rail and take the whole thing off in one go instead of pulling off that top half off, but feels to me like it negates the reason for splitting the manifold into two pieces, lol.

Sorry I don't have anything else to offer! :/

 

[yohon]

*accidentally double posted myself, sorry!

how do you get the wire loom holder of the back of the valve cover?