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View Full Version : So She runs.... BUT...... Valve Covers Leaking???


Cross
06-07-2009, 01:52 AM
So everything went back on, she is good to go I was very happy she seems smooth and ready to go for some tuning... then I start to smell something... smells like oil.

We stop for food I take a look and there's motor oil around the transmission on both sides.... sure enough the intake manifold is leaking when I feel back there but it feels like only on the passenger side... maybe I missed the other side it was quite hot lol.

Either way though I get to take that back off and reseal it... I swear my luck will never let me just get a break for awhile.

I am supposed to do some wiring and work tomorrow on the wife's new BMW now I have to fit in removing the 93 Intake Manifold off the car again and resealing it. Hopefully this time my idea's for a few tricks to speed it up will work... hopefully.

--Update--
I decided instead of going to bed to go check again because it was odd just one spot was leaking and it seemed to be after the manifold.... sure enough I look with a flash light and the VC are leaking from the screws holding the OTVC Plug Wire Holders and the back of the IM is clear.

It seems to be the VC's that are leaking, what could cause this before I pull them off. I am glad as it is easier but I would like some input before I remove them. I think its time to put my breather on the car now.

What would cause this, just going bad or should I check other things for causes?
KissMyWhtSS
06-07-2009, 02:05 AM
I'd honestly just replace both the intake manifold and valve cover gaskets. I'm not really sure what works the best. I just put on some new generic ones.

Make sure you do it right and get a nice seal. If it's still leaking you might consider going to a slightly thicker oil.
Cross
06-07-2009, 02:14 AM
I just did the intake manifold gaskets the day before yesterday when I put on the new ported 93 Intake Manifold. I made sure to seal the rear and front lips with RTV. It seems dry around both but tomorrow I will go out with the mirror and get an exact answer.

But I think VC gaskets are in order.
gregrob
06-07-2009, 04:04 AM
I'd honestly just replace both the intake manifold and valve cover gaskets. I'm not really sure what works the best. I just put on some new generic ones.

Make sure you do it right and get a nice seal. If it's still leaking you might consider going to a slightly thicker oil.

Running "thicker oil" is a very poor solution to oil leaks. :disagree:
mpe331lx
06-07-2009, 07:50 AM
What is your combo? It is not boosted is it?
Cross
06-07-2009, 12:07 PM
No boost NA Daily Driver was what I was going for.
Spartan7
06-07-2009, 07:14 PM
Get some Fel-Pro VC gaskets. They're only like $20, and they're reusable (rubber, not cork).

When you say leaking from the bolt holes, do you mean just residual? Or is it gushing out?
KissMyWhtSS
06-07-2009, 07:32 PM
Running "thicker oil" is a very poor solution to oil leaks. :disagree:I totally agree, but that depends on what he's running. LT1's are pretty prone to oil leaks and going from 5/30 to 10/30 could easily fix his problems and not cause any problems with lubrication within his engine.
Cross
06-09-2009, 01:55 AM
Well I swapped the passenger side VC and I am not sure why it failed it was a felpro rubber like the one I put on... then I got to thinking... could I have somehow bent it when I was taking off the intake manifold....

I am not sure it did not look bent or damaged at all but that does not make me right.

The oil was ONLY on the passenger side header you could see it was leaking down on it and a small amount on the bottom only of the last spark plug wire.

I checked 4 times and did not feel any leaks from the back of the IM so I am really hoping it was just this but why in the world did a felpro rubber stop working in the first place....