Valve Cover Gaskets - Both

Replace both left and right valve cover gaskets on the 3.0L V6 Twin Turbo engine to eliminate oil leaks and restore proper sealing.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Left valve cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Right valve cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Spark plug tube seals × 6 — Use OEM specification
• Spark plugs (if servicing) × 6 — NGK or OEM equivalent
• Engine oil × 1 — Selenia Racing 10W-60

Fluids

• Selenia Racing 10W-60 — 5.5 qt

Preparation

1. Ensure engine is completely cold to the touch
2. Disconnect negative battery terminal and wait 5 minutes for system discharge
3. Remove engine cover by pulling upward on retention clips
4. Label and photograph all electrical connectors and vacuum lines for reinstallation reference
5. Cover exposed intake ports and openings with clean shop towels to prevent debris entry

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove ignition coils and spark plugs
   Disconnect the electrical connectors from all six ignition coils. Remove the ignition coil mounting bolts and carefully extract each coil from its tube using a twisting motion. Inspect spark plug tubes for oil accumulation. Remove all six spark plugs using a spark plug socket, keeping them in order if inspecting wear patterns.
   Torque spec

   Ignition Coil Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)

   Spark Plugs - Aluminum Head20 Nm (15 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Disconnect wiring harnesses and sensors
   Disconnect all electrical connectors attached to or crossing over the valve covers. This includes cam position sensors, variable valve timing solenoids, and any injector connectors. Remove sensor mounting bolts where applicable and carefully route harnesses away from the valve covers. Release any wire harness clips attached to the valve covers.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)

   Electrical Connector Bolts7 Nm (5 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove PCV hoses and breather lines
   Disconnect the PCV valve hoses from both valve covers. These typically connect at the rear of each cover. Disconnect the crankcase breather hoses. Use caution as these may contain residual oil. Have rags ready to catch any spillage.
   ℹ️PCV hoses may be stiff and brittle. Apply gentle heat if needed to avoid breaking fittings.
4. 4

   Remove accessory brackets if required
   On the right (passenger) side, remove any wiring harness brackets or accessory mounting brackets bolted to the valve cover. On the left (driver) side, you may need to remove or loosen portions of the intake manifold or fuel rail for adequate clearance. Document all bracket locations.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)

   Intake Manifold Bolts25 Nm (18 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Remove valve cover bolts in sequence
   Starting from the outside edges and working toward the center, gradually loosen all valve cover bolts. Remove bolts completely and store in organized manner. There are typically 10-12 bolts per cover. Note the location of any bolts with studs or special washers.
   Torque spec

   Cover Bolts18 Nm (13 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove valve covers
   Gently tap the valve covers with a rubber mallet to break the gasket seal if stuck. Lift the covers straight up to avoid damaging the gasket mating surfaces. Remove and discard the old gaskets. Inspect valve train components for any abnormal wear or debris.
   ⚠Do not pry between the cover and cylinder head with metal tools. This will damage the sealing surfaces.
7. 7

   Remove old spark plug tube seals
   Using needle-nose pliers or a seal removal tool, carefully extract the old spark plug tube seals from the cylinder head. These are press-fit and may require some effort. Ensure no seal material falls into the spark plug holes. Clean the tube seal bores thoroughly.
8. 8

   Clean all mating surfaces
   Use a razor blade scraper held flat against the surface to remove all old gasket material from both the valve covers and cylinder head mating surfaces. Clean thoroughly with brake cleaner and lint-free rags. The surfaces must be completely clean and dry with no oil residue, scratches, or embedded gasket material. Inspect for warpage or damage.
   ⚠Aluminum surfaces scratch easily. Use plastic scrapers on valve cover surfaces and only razor blades on cast iron cylinder heads.
   Torque spec

   Gasket Surface Bolts22 Nm (16 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Install new spark plug tube seals
   Lightly lubricate the outer diameter of the new spark plug tube seals with clean engine oil. Press each seal squarely into its bore in the cylinder head using a seal driver or appropriately sized socket until fully seated. Ensure seals are not cocked or damaged during installation.
10. 10

    Install new valve cover gaskets
    Position the new gaskets onto the valve covers. Most OEM gaskets have integrated retaining features or molded-in positioning tabs. Ensure gaskets are fully seated in their grooves and properly oriented. Do not use any additional sealant unless specifically called for by Maserati.
    ℹ️OEM Maserati gaskets are designed for dry installation. Do not apply RTV or gasket maker unless dealing with specific leak areas per TSB.
11. 11

    Install valve covers and torque bolts
    Carefully position each valve cover onto the cylinder head, ensuring gaskets remain properly seated. Start all valve cover bolts by hand. Following the torque sequence (center outward pattern), tighten bolts gradually in three stages: first to 5 Nm, then to 8 Nm, and finally to the specified 10 Nm. Do not skip the staged torque sequence.
    ⚠Following the proper torque sequence is critical to prevent gasket distortion and future leaks.
    Torque spec

    Cover Bolts18 Nm (13 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Reinstall spark plugs and ignition coils
    Apply a small amount of anti-seize compound to the spark plug threads (avoid getting any on the electrodes). Install spark plugs by hand first to avoid cross-threading, then torque to specification using a spark plug socket. Coat the ignition coil boots lightly with dielectric grease. Install ignition coils into their tubes and secure with mounting bolts torqued to specification.
    Torque spec

    Spark Plugs - Aluminum Head20 Nm (15 lb-ft)

    Ignition Coil Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Reconnect all components and harnesses
    Reinstall all wiring harness brackets, accessory brackets, and sensor mounting bolts to their proper torque values. Reconnect all electrical connectors, ensuring positive engagement. Reconnect PCV and breather hoses. Reinstall any intake manifold components that were removed. Verify all connections match your reference photos.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)

    Electrical Connector Bolts7 Nm (5 lb-ft)

    Intake Manifold Bolts25 Nm (18 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Refill engine oil and reconnect battery
    Refill the engine with 5.5 quarts of Selenia Racing 10W-60 oil. Reinstall the engine cover. Reconnect the negative battery terminal. Clear any stored fault codes using a diagnostic scanner if available.
    ℹ️Some oil will have been lost during the procedure. Verify proper oil level on dipstick after filling.

Reassembly

1. Double-check that all electrical connectors are fully seated and locked
2. Verify no tools or rags were left in the engine bay
3. Ensure all vacuum lines and PCV hoses are properly connected with no kinks
4. Confirm valve cover bolts were torqued in the correct sequence to prevent leaks

Verification

• Start the engine and allow it to idle for 5 minutes while monitoring for oil leaks around valve cover perimeters
• Check for any unusual noises that might indicate loose components
• Verify proper oil pressure on instrument cluster and no warning lights
• After initial run, shut off engine, wait 5 minutes, and recheck oil level
• Inspect valve cover areas after 50-100 miles of driving to confirm no oil seepage
• Verify no misfires or rough idle conditions indicating improper ignition coil installation

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