[123Britt]

WOW! Finally done -- no known leaks

Thoughts:
*Everything comes apart per the N54Tech DIY -- about 4 hrs for me because
the cover had to be pried off as carful as I could
*Gasket was very brittle at 90k
*Sections of the gasket were stuck to the engine and had to scrap them off.
Think I left some pieces in the engine -- I was so careful but it was such a
bitch leaning over for hrs -- spent 4hrs cleaning off the old gasket.
* Spent 4 more hours torqueing and putting everything back together

Special mention: I broke the wire harness hold down bracket bolt (1) of (2).
I will have to replace another time. I did not have an
extractor to remove the alum bolt. Bolt broke at snug --
I think it was heat soaked.

I also replaced my PCV hose that has a check valve in it -- going to my BMS OCC.

I also used HondaBond sealant in the corners and in areas where I scratched the crankcase VC mating surfaces. I used a CDI DIAL Torque wrench at 8.5 Nm for all VC hold down bolts. Plus -- I reused all the bolts -- I bought a few from my local dealership -- but all bolts looked in good shape.

If I had to do it again -- there won't be a next time -- I hope to sell the car before another VC gasket is needed. So everything is running -- I just hope that small gasket piece of XXXX does not kill my engine. Even though I did vacuum tube everything (possibly sucking it up) that is usually not my luck.

Use plastic trim removal tools from Pep boys next time, then tap with a hammer, no scratching of the surfaces.

Good call on the CDI wrenches, I have those too.

[GStar1]

Not looking forward to doing mine.... It has 120k on it, and it isn't leaking externally, but is filling 2 spark plug tube seals..... FML