Oil Leaks... make it stop!!!

[stingray72]

Ok.. I'm just ranting but I have the worst luck with oil leaks.. Driver side valve cover a month ago. Get it fixed and now it seems the passenger side has started.. Oil leaks drive me bonkers..

[piecesparts]

SO, when faced with a aleaky valve cover, you did NOT change both of them out at the same time. now you have a leak on theother side? I would have done both myself, of course that is just me.

[Stock72c10]

I have been chasing leaks as well. I have replaced the valve cover gasket, the push rod cover gasket, the rear main seal, and the oil pan gasket all in the last month. I have slowed river of oil down, but I doubt it will ever end (at least not for this engine). I like to think of it as my truck "marking it's territory".

[stingray72]

Originally Posted by piecesparts

SO, when faced with a aleaky valve cover, you did NOT change both of them out at the same time. now you have a leak on theother side? I would have done both myself, of course that is just me.

Why change both if only one side is leaking?? I added some dye to the oil and then used a blacklight to track it down. I've never been very good with seals so I let a shop do this one. Going to let them do the other side also b/c if I do it it's just going to leak again

[mvfd70]

Why change both? Well if it were me, I'd change both. If they're the same age and one goes out...it's pretty much a sure thing the other is going to go out. At least that's my experiance with Murphy's Law.

[piecesparts]

My thinking is never pay twice for a job done once--while doing the job, the gasket set comes in pairs and they had the mechanic standing there doing the job. It would only cost a little bit more for the second cover, now it is another complete stop over at the shop and they start from the beginning--time lost and a little more cost. Just my .02 worth.

[big_al_71]

Do it one time and do it correctly!!!!
Works for me....

[jorgensensc]

Originally Posted by stingray72

Why change both if only one side is leaking?? I added some dye to the oil and then used a blacklight to track it down. I've never been very good with seals so I let a shop do this one. Going to let them do the other side also b/c if I do it it's just going to leak again

Wait a minute! You added die to find the oil leak, but you are paying a shop to replace your valve cover gaskets? If you can add the dye yourself you can change your gaskets. 4 bolts on each cover, lift off the cover, (carefully pry the edges or you will bend them and it won't seal correctly again), put a rag or towel on top of exposed rockers and oil galleries, scrape off remaining gasket off head, scrape off and clean valve covers (might as well paint them while you have them off), get new gaskets at the parts store (get what you want, cork or rubber, I prefer rubber, but others prefer cork), I also get copper gasket sealer in a spray can and spray it on both sides of the gasket, lay it on the head, add valve covers, and tighten bolts. Your not trying to kill the bolts, just nice and firm so you don't warp the valve cover or squash the gasket too much. I stick toothpicks in the bolt holes to keep the gasket in place as I lay the valve cover over the top. I also add a little threadlock to the bolts so they don't loosen up on me over time. Come on man, you can do this!!! I have faith in you!
Shawn

[stingray72]

Originally Posted by jorgensensc

Wait a minute! You added die to find the oil leak, but you are paying a shop to replace your valve cover gaskets? If you can add the dye yourself you can change your gaskets. 4 bolts on each cover, lift off the cover, (carefully pry the edges or you will bend them and it won't seal correctly again), put a rag or towel on top of exposed rockers and oil galleries, scrape off remaining gasket off head, scrape off and clean valve covers (might as well paint them while you have them off), get new gaskets at the parts store (get what you want, cork or rubber, I prefer rubber, but others prefer cork), I also get copper gasket sealer in a spray can and spray it on both sides of the gasket, lay it on the head, add valve covers, and tighten bolts. Your not trying to kill the bolts, just nice and firm so you don't warp the valve cover or squash the gasket too much. I stick toothpicks in the bolt holes to keep the gasket in place as I lay the valve cover over the top. I also add a little threadlock to the bolts so they don't loosen up on me over time. Come on man, you can do this!!! I have faith in you!
Shawn

What's the old saying.. If at first you don't succeed, try again. Then quit.. No use being a damn fool about it

Seriously though.. I've done what you said. I've used cork gaskets, rubber gaskets, prematex on multiple different valve covers. I seem to always screw it up. If it costs me $100 to have it done and NOT leak then it's worth it IMO. At least I can go after the shop to do it again if it continues to leak.

This engine has less than 10k miles on it. It's a GM 350 from the local chevy dealer. It shouldn't be leaking I don't think

[monte0185]

Do you have chrome valve covers? If so they are notorious for leaking. I wont use chrome for that very reason. Leaks everytime. I have ground the chrome off the mating surface and used some good old gorrilla snot on the cover side and it will usually hold. I prefer cork and paper myself but to each his own. My shop teacher once told me in high school it may look perty but "Chrome dont get ya home!!!"

[leddzepp]

Use the rubber gaskets with metal inserts in them (Fel-Pro). Cost around $30 but you get what you pay for. My 72 has the OG 350 and does not leak a drop. You do not need to apply sealer or over-tighten the bolts. If your covers are bent, they will NOT seal properly. I have the stock OEM valve covers...never had any luck with aftermarket ones. Cork is very porous and just absorbs oil, and eventually it will start to leak. This is of course my opinion, but it is a FACT my valve covers did not leak after I changed to the rubber gaskets.

[Lated]

Valve cover gaskets are on the list of things my dad always told me to change in pairs. Just like brakes, tires, headlights, and radiator hoses.

[cdowns]

most valve cover leaks are from the over tightening of the bolts which causes the bolt holes in sheetmetal valve covers to dimple out causing the leaks it happens far less when using quality cast covers.

45INCH pounds of torque

[coopdeville]

Wow!

[Sport/Truck]

Originally Posted by monte0185

Do you have chrome valve covers? If so they are notorious for leaking. I wont use chrome for that very reason. Leaks everytime. I have ground the chrome off the mating surface and used some good old gorrilla snot on the cover side and it will usually hold. I prefer cork and paper myself but to each his own. My shop teacher once told me in high school it may look perty but "Chrome dont get ya home!!!"

Originally Posted by Lated

Valve cover gaskets are on the list of things my dad always told me to change in pairs. Just like brakes, tires, headlights, and radiator hoses.

BTW when I wanted to replace my timing chain cover I had to look hard for a Non chrome timing cover.....all the stores had chrome, and I won't use it.
s/t

[cparman]

Make sure the PCV system is working. Don't know how many times my shop used to fixed oil leaks by replacing PCV valves. Not so common any more, but might be relevant here. Pcv should be sucking thru one Valve cvr, and you should be able to lay a rag or a small piece of paper on the OTHER valve cvr, and see it suck in. this will give you an idea the PCV is working. If the PCV is not working the engine will build pressure, and push oil from the weakest link.

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by cparman

Make sure the PCV system is working. Don't know how many times my shop used to fixed oil leaks by replacing PCV valves. Not so common any more, but might be relevant here. Pcv should be sucking thru one Valve cvr, and you should be able to lay a rag or a small piece of paper on the OTHER valve cvr, and see it suck in. this will give you an idea the PCV is working. If the PCV is not working the engine will build pressure, and push oil from the weakest link.

[stingray72]

PCV is working and no chrome valve covers..

Water pump is leaking also so going to replace that also.. Sheesh