Hi!

I need to replace the valve cover gasket (significant amount of oil in two spark plug wells) and exhaust manifold gasket on my 2003 Ford Ranger 2.3l dohc.

Through doing a little bit of research I gathered that during this procedure you usually replace valve cover grommets too but I am unable to find the part. Does anybody have a part number or know about a replacement that works for the grommets?

Thank you...

The grommets are the valve cover bolt rubber grommets correct? When I did my valve cover gaskets I didn't replace the cover bolt grommets although some of them were in really bad shape. So far no leaking but I think I'm lucky there.

Any way, someone on one of these Ford Ranger forums (I don't remember which one) did find an acceptable replacement but DARNED if I can remember where I saw it. I'll dig and see what I can find.

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2003 Ranger XL | 2.3L | 2wd | 5spd manual | standard cab | short bed | 112" wheel base | 3.73 rear (open diff) | no power windows or locks but at least it's got A/C!

Wow okay! Yes, if you or anybody else can think of a acceptable replacement that would be great.

By the way, do you have any suggestions for what to think about when replacing the valve cover gasket?

When I replaced my valve cover gaskets I was also replacing my entire intake manifold and so it was easier to do.

I have read of a few people just loosening up their intake manifold but not removing it and were able to replace the valve cover gaskets. But, after doing mine I just don't see how that would have been possible.

Replacing the gaskets is easy, it's just very time consuming due to all of the stuff you have to unplug, disconnect, move out of the way and etc. And I cleaned up the gasket mating surfaces really well so that added extra time.

I don't remember there being anything tricky about it. No caveats or gotcha's or anything like that. I didn't use any RTV sealant or anything and have been leak free ever since. Well, actually, one thing I can think of is the connector body of the CHT connector may have become very brittle and may fall apart in your hands. My connector did but it was before I replaced my valve cover gaskets. Ok, maybe there's more; IF you do remove your intake manifold, I found it easier to do by removing the driver side wheel and fender liner. It makes getting at those intake manifold bolts much easier.

EDIT: I think the Ford part number for the bolt and grommet is 6K562A (1S7Z-6K562-AA) but they are expensive. I'll continue to see if I can find that post with the alternate grommets.

EDIT-2: Well I found the post I was thinking of but unfortunately it does not have an acceptable substitute.

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2003 Ranger XL | 2.3L | 2wd | 5spd manual | standard cab | short bed | 112" wheel base | 3.73 rear (open diff) | no power windows or locks but at least it's got A/C!

I think this may be the thread Soledad is talking about with the discussion of grommets; Link:

Oil in spark plugs...but valve cover gasket replaced 1.5 months ago

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These suggestions are going to come in extremely handy. Thank you for taking the time to explain!

Haha yup, that's the one.

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2003 Ranger XL | 2.3L | 2wd | 5spd manual | standard cab | short bed | 112" wheel base | 3.73 rear (open diff) | no power windows or locks but at least it's got A/C!