How do you replace a valve cover gasket on a 2003 Hyundai elantra gls?

You need the gasket and it would also be recommended to replace the spark plug gaskets also. You will need a 10mm socket with an extension.

1. remove the 5 bolts from the plastic cover over the motor, if you have one on the motor.

2. depending on when your 2003 Elantra was made you will either have 13 bolts or 12 bolts that hold on the valve cover. If you look on the Driver's side door jam you will see a sticker with your VIN and other information. It will have the Manufacturing date. If it was made on or before October 31 2002 you will have 13 bolts, if it was made on or after November 1 2002 you will have 12 bolts. This will also need to be known to make sure you have the right gasket. remove the 12 or 13 bolts plus the 2 bolts at the top of the timing cover.

3. remove the spark lug wires and 2 hoses from the back of the valve cover.

4. Now remove the valve cover, you may need to stick a flat head screw driver under the edge to pry it off.

5. use the flat screw driver to pry the old gasket out of the valve cover and use the screw driver to pry the spark plug gaskets out of the center of the valve cover. Note: on the spark plug gaskets the center part of the ring comes out the outer edge of the rings are part of the valve cover.

6. push the new spark plug gaskets back in place firmly and push the new valve cover gasket into the valve cover's grooves.

7. Clean off excess oil and dirt from the top of the head/motor where the new valve cover gasket will touch.

8. place valve cover with new gaskets back on the head/motor and finger tighten the screws

9. the torque specs for the valve cover bolts are anywhere between 72 and 84 in-lbs. NOTICE this is in INCH Lbs Not foot-lbs. So it is roughly 6-7 foot-lbs. If you don't have a torque wrench you can tighten them with your socket snugly, you don't have to tighten them super tight (putting all your might and weight into it I mean.) If you do put all your weight/might into it you could break the valve cover. ----- Tighten the bolts in a criss-cross fashion to ensure the pressure is applied evenly.

10. tighten the bolts on the timing belt cover, reconnect the two hoses and the spark plug wires, then put your plastic cover back on if you have one or wish to.