[Z06] Valve cover leak
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 769
Likes: 2
From: Kapolei Hi
Valve cover leak
How common are these? Mine started leaking a fair amount of oil yesterday and I have never had a car do that. Gaskets were replaced about 18 months ago when the build as done. The only reason I have any real concern is that right before I noticed the smell of oil burning I was changing lanes fairly aggressively and when i shifted from second to third, the RPMs jumped and i'm not sure if it over revved or not cause it was so damn fast. Thanks for any help.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 5
From: Loveland CO
just like any seal they can dry, pinch or be installed improperly.. easy job to do.. I would get Felpro gaskets (Blue ones) and make sure you clean both surfices well. some people use a little dab of gasket sealer to hold it in place for install but it makes a mess and i end up wiping it off anyhow.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 191
Likes: 23
From: Louisville KY
Mine did the same thing after changing the valve springs. The heads had some light tooling marks where the valve cover seated. I suppose they were not clamped down good when they were finished milled. Regardless, I had to use some 220 wet dry and polish the flat where the gaskets seal on the head. Problem fixed.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 769
Likes: 2
From: Kapolei Hi
The gasket was definitely blown out. I just wanted to make sure that nothing else was a possibility. Is there a specific PN for the Fel-Pros since I have aftermarket heads, or would it be the same for a stock head? Thanks for the info.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,419
Likes: 6
From: Alamosa CO
You can get them at Auto-zone or O'reillys and they are not expensive.
Sorry. don't have a part # for you, just ask for gaskets for any LS1/6 and it will fit.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
does the engine have a lot of blow by? the only time i've seen a valve cover gasket actually blow out on a motor was one that had a LOT of crankcase pressure due to blow by
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 769
Likes: 2
From: Kapolei Hi
I don't think so. It happened after to the tires spun really hard on a quick shift the other day, and the only thing I could think of is the rpms jumping so fast might have caused some added pressure. Otherwise I have no idea what could have done it.
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