What are these plates for? I6

[Isaiah92260]

The two plates under the spark plugs, what are they covering and they're purpose? I noticed I'm getting alot of oil leakage around these plates and on the bell housing, I tighten the two bolts a couple good turns thinking possibly that they need to be. I didn't want to go too tight because I don't want to damage the seals that I could see that were under. Btw I just replaced the valve cover gasket but I'm having oil leaks still, but not as bad as before. I used a fork gasket because that's all NAPA had and I used silicon on both sides of the gasket. I just did a little patching with the sealant on areas I saw where too much oil was leaking.

[Isaiah92260]

The plates

[hotrod66]

Lifter covers

[T and S]

Over tightening is just as bad or worse than not tight enough. Sounds like you have distorted your valve cover and lifter covers.

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by Isaiah92260

The two plates under the spark plugs, what are they covering and they're purpose? I noticed I'm getting alot of oil leakage around these plates and on the bell housing, I tighten the two bolts a couple good turns thinking possibly that they need to be. I didn't want to go too tight because I don't want to damage the seals that I could see that were under. Btw I just replaced the valve cover gasket but I'm having oil leaks still, but not as bad as before. I used a fork gasket because that's all NAPA had and I used silicon on both sides of the gasket. I just did a little patching with the sealant on areas I saw where too much oil was leaking.

This is what is under those covers. Push rods that move the valve lifters.

[ACK]

There's a few reason's you can be leaking oil, most are simple fixes and inexpensive:
- Worn out lifter cover gaskets
- Faulty PCV
- PCV isn't hooked up properly
- Need to clean or purchase a breather style oil filler cap

If the PCV isn't hooked up properly, the engine is going to suffer big time. If it's not connected from the valve cover to the manifold, gotta fix it right away. If that's the culprit, you may still have a small leak after it's hooked up, but you won't be leaving an oil slick everywhere you go.

[Isaiah92260]

Originally Posted by ACK

There's a few reason's you can be leaking oil, most are simple fixes and inexpensive:
- Worn out lifter cover gaskets
- Faulty PCV
- PCV isn't hooked up properly
- Need to clean or purchase a breather style oil filler cap

If the PCV isn't hooked up properly, the engine is going to suffer big time. If it's not connected from the valve cover to the manifold, gotta fix it right away. If that's the culprit, you may still have a small leak after it's hooked up, but you won't be leaving an oil slick everywhere you go.

I recently bought a oil breather cap from auto zone. The PCV valve and hose are all connected just as you stated. I believe it is probably just time at start replacing parts. The valve cover is pretty damn worn already around the eyes and holes for the screws. I was thinking about getting that Oppenhuase aluminum valve cover, but I saw it doesn't have a hole milled in for the PCV valve and grommet to go into.

[Isaiah92260]

Originally Posted by T and S

Over tightening is just as bad or worse than not tight enough. Sounds like you have distorted your valve cover and lifter covers.

I gave it two turns on that one side, I've never touched it before. I think it's just time for the gasket to be replaced.

[Isaiah92260]

If anyone has experience with those aluminum valve covers, please let me know.