Need help with valve cover

[Viking Jeeper]

Working on replacing the valve cover gasket in 05 4.0L. Cant figure out what to do with this wiring harness on the firewall end of the valve cover. It has to move to get to the two back bolts but I can't get it to budge at all. The wires dont seem to have much slack at all either. Some advice would be much appreciated!

 

[TJ_2000]

Deep socket and a ratchet. I’ve had mine off and on 3 times in a week. Super easy.

 

[Viking Jeeper]

The bolts are not the problem. I have them out including the one hiding under the wiring harness. The wiring harness is the problem. There is not enough slack to get the cover high enough to clear the rocker arms.

 

[Hcwlsu101]

The wiring harness bridge comes off. You simply unclip it and rotate it off. Once off you can easily get to the back bolt(s)

 

[TJ_2000]

I just muscled it out.

 

[S.McArthur]

Muscle...pull up on the harness and just find a way to drag the cover across the rockers.

 

[Drippy]

Don't muscle it up. Do it the right way.

The plastic "bridge" over the valve cover comes apart in two pieces. Simply use a small flat head screw driver and pry off the top portion. There are small gaps you can insert the flat head driver in to. Remove the top portion and slide out the lower portion. It does make a world of difference with it off.

 

[pagrey]

Anybody that uses the word "easy" for this is not on what I'd call a normal level. Just work it, it is a pain but you'll get it. I think Jeep figured you'd drop the engine to do this job. It sucks.

 

[Maso]

Mine came off "easy" here's the result. I had no intention of putting it back on. I think it's a bit harder for right hand drive as we have to deal with the heater hoses going over the back. I just put some plastic tube over it when finished.

 

[Maso]

And not putting it back makes it so much easier next time!

 

[JEEPCJTJ]

Anybody that uses the word "easy" for this is not on what I'd call a normal level. Just work it, it is a pain but you'll get it. I think Jeep figured you'd drop the engine to do this job. It sucks.

I haven't had anything to do with my valve cover yet but when I do I'll probably post here how I never had this problem on my CJ.

 

[Ppd7207]

Not sure if there is a difference or not, did mine 3 weeks ago. On my 2003, I had to remove a radiator hose clamp for there to be enough clearance to remove the cover.

 

[Viking Jeeper]

Not sure if there is a difference or not, did mine 3 weeks ago. On my 2003, I had to remove a radiator hose clamp for there to be enough clearance to remove the cover.

I did this. Problem was the wiring harness on the back end. Finally got the harness off of the mounting studs and muscled the valve cover off. After it was off I realized removing the engine block grounding strap nut would have helped.

 

[Rich1961]

I removed the nut holding the cowl drain in place, and rotated it enough to give the wiring harness more room to move back towards the firewall. Made it much easier to remove the valve cover. I thought I was going to have to remove the radiator hose clamp, but once I could lift the rear of the valve cover up the front part came right out.

 

[Brianj5600]

Popping the top of of the bridge should be the very first thing while the bridge is still secured to the head. I found it much easier to remove the top while the bridge is still secured. It was also easier top snap the top back on as the last step after the bridge was secured. I removed the ground and the A/C hose mount off the stud at the front.