can anyone out there help me i needsome infoi have a 00civic si b16a2 and i want topaint my valve cover the gasket is rubber do i need to replace it?

 

Couldn't hurt for the extra $30, might as well do a good job on it. Depends on how it looks when you get it out. Check around the cover before you pull it off. If there's no evidence of leaks, you might be ok... I'd just get a new one though.

 

Generally you don't want to reuse old gaskets. There is a much higher likelyhood of leaks of you reuse a gasket. When I've reused gaskets in the past, I've put RTV around the gasket (both sides). You have to be carefull with this though. Don't get it in the bolt holes and make sure it doesn't get into the cylinder head it self.