Oil Leak
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
Oil Leak
I have an oil leak that seems to be coming from the valve covers. I've cleaned it up and leaked from there again. Its getting down onto my spark plugs and i'm worried that it will foul them. My question is whether or not to replace the head gaskets or just the valve cover gaskets? Engine does not consume any oil, this is recent leak.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 2
From: seattle WA
Time for new valve cover gaskets-why on earth would you be thinking head gaskets-if you had oil, water or air coming out the head gasket you'd notice alot more than just and oil leak-it would run like crap.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
Well it doesnt run like crap, but its not great either (a different problem-fuel filter?). I thought it might be the head gaskets cause of the oil on the spark plugs, but my dad said it was just leaking down the side of the engine onto them.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Determine if the leak is the head gasket or the valve cover gasket and replace what is leaking. Valve cover gasket replacement is an easy job but a head gasket replacement is a big job.
If you suspect a head gasket problem, do a compression check first.
Any DTC codes?
If you suspect a head gasket problem, do a compression check first.
Any DTC codes?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
I bought some new Fel-Pro rubber/steel gaskets today. The guy said they were better than the cork ones and could be reused. The old gaskets are screwed, so its not a wonder it leaks.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
Use the rubber gaskets. The cork ones suck. Every time I've used cork gaskets, within a year they are leaking again.
I used Fel Pro rubber on my oil pan and valve covers, and 84's engine is leak free.
Changing valve cover gaskets isn't difficult, but I would rather be cruising than wrenching. Do it once, do it right. Fel Pro rubber.
I used Fel Pro rubber on my oil pan and valve covers, and 84's engine is leak free.
Changing valve cover gaskets isn't difficult, but I would rather be cruising than wrenching. Do it once, do it right. Fel Pro rubber.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
Alright I went to take the valve covers off and I cant figure out how anyone can take them off. Right now i'm working on the driver side and I followed the directions in my Hayne's manual. I got the cover off but cant get it out of the car. There just simply isnt enough room to work with. The A.I.R. pump is on one side and all the crap along the firewall is on the other (some electrical box and a metal line). So how do you get these things outta there?
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