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Fast fix wanted.. valve cover leaking oil

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  • #1

    Fast fix wanted.. valve cover leaking oil

    I can't get time to dig into the project to do it correctly right now, hopefully next weekend.. Any thoughts.. I was thinking of trying to re-torque down the valve cover bolts... The oil is leaking out the front of the head at the valve cover. I am pretty certain that is where its coming from. getting worse as time goes on. I check the oil often and it is not draining out to bad, maybe a half a quart every 300 miles... just looking for a quick fix idea right now.. The valve cover gasket will be replaced, just not right now..

    thanks
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  • #2
    there's no "quick fix" really. By the time you clean the oil off well enought to run a bead of RTV along the seam, you'll have spent as much time and $ as you would have doing the job properly in the first place.

    also, adding more torque to the cover bolts wont get you anywhere becaust of the collets that sit inside of the rubber gromets for each hole. adding excessive torque will likely cause strain on the threads and that leads to stripping the hole.
    Trees aren't kind to me...

    currently: 2 88Ls (Scrappy and Jersey), 88LX, 90L(Pepe), 91L, 91GL (Skippy) 93 GL Sport (the Mighty Favakk), 94 (Bruce) & 95 Aspire SEs, 97 Aspire (The Joker),
    94 Justy 4WD, 87 Fiero GT, plus 2 parts cars. That's my fleet.

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    • #3
      Originally posted by FestYboy View Post
      there's no "quick fix" really. By the time you clean the oil off well enought to run a bead of RTV along the seam, you'll have spent as much time and $ as you would have doing the job properly in the first place.

      also, adding more torque to the cover bolts wont get you anywhere becaust of the collets that sit inside of the rubber gromets for each hole. adding excessive torque will likely cause strain on the threads and that leads to stripping the hole.

      I agree there not a much quicker route than just putting a new valve cover casket on, shouldn't take much more than 20-30 minutes.
      Last edited by mystro; 11-19-2013, 11:44 AM.
      89 LX (461xxx miles original motor and trans, retired)
      90 L (restoration in progress)
      91 L (saved from abusive owner lol)
      92 L (DD)
      88 (model unknown, rust free, possible project)
      88-89 (parts car. practically picked to the bone)
      93 GL (parts car)

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      • #4
        No fast fixes... Just messes to clean up later anyways. Keep adding oil tip you get the time to take the valve cover off and replace the seal.

        To get the valve cover off, you have a few choices...


        Loosen the timing belt and turn the cam to get clearance out from under the throttle body. Turning the cam will put the intake rockers in the correct position to squeak out the valve cover. You'll have to re-set the timing which can be time consuming, at best, if you don't already have a clue how.

        Leave the car in 4th (assuming you have a manual transmission) and pull it, turning the engine slowly until the valve rockers are out of the way.

        .. or take off the throttle body and replace the gasket before it goes back on. Not difficult, a few extra bucks for the gasket, but much, much easier to take off and reinstall the valve cover.

        Well, if/when you get the cover off you'll want to do some cleaning of the mating surface. A few dabs of gasket sealer in the groove of the valve cover will hold the seal in place as you go to reinstall it. Get an intake gasket, valve cover seal and hardware kit which will include new bolts, collets and bushings. Total investment about $25 and a Saturday morning.
        Last edited by crazyrog17; 11-19-2013, 12:27 PM.
        -Zack
        Blue '93 GL Auto: White 13" 5 Point Wheels, Full LED Conversion, and an 8" Sub

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        • #5
          I took a hacksaw to the lower lip of the TB snoute and trimed off the tiny little bit that was interfering with getting off the valve cover.

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          • #6
            ...or you could just tap the key and partially turn the engine, until the cam turns the rockers to the correct position to let the valve cover be removed.

            The rockers sticking up prevent the VC from getting enough clearance to slide out. Rotating the engine a little at a time til the rockers get out of the way, and presto, the vc will slide right out!
            Last edited by drddan; 11-20-2013, 04:46 AM.
            Dan




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            • #7
              Originally posted by drddan View Post
              ...or you could just tap the key and partially turn the engine, until the cam turns the rockers to the correct position to let the valve cover be removed.

              The rockers sticking up prevent the VC from getting enough clearance to slide out. Rotating the engine a little at a time til the rockers get out of the way, and presto, the vc will slide right out!
              what he said, this is how I did it, made it quick and easy
              89 LX (461xxx miles original motor and trans, retired)
              90 L (restoration in progress)
              91 L (saved from abusive owner lol)
              92 L (DD)
              88 (model unknown, rust free, possible project)
              88-89 (parts car. practically picked to the bone)
              93 GL (parts car)

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              • #8
                Yup; I put it in 5th gear, parking brake off, and move the car slightly until the VC comes off easily.
                90 Festy (Larry)--B6M (Matt D. modified B6 head), header, 5-speed, Capri XR2 front brakes, many other little mods
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                • #9
                  Wouldn't it be easier to just stick a wrench on the crank bolt while in neutral?
                  Any difference that makes no difference is no difference.

                  Old Blue- New Tricks
                  91 Festiva FSM PDF - Dropbox

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                  • #10
                    Be a real man and turn crank pulley by hand. My goodness, these ain't no BB Cummins....spin sparkplugs out if you're that weak.

                    Sent from my rooted HTC Supersonic using Tapatalk 2 Pro

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                    • #11
                      Quick fix I just did. Replace the failing grommets and spacers with some washers under the heads of the VC bolts.

                      The gasket can be fine and still leak when the grommets are falling apart. Problem solved in my case.
                      Any difference that makes no difference is no difference.

                      Old Blue- New Tricks
                      91 Festiva FSM PDF - Dropbox

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                      • #12
                        No extra work needed in my case. Just took off air intake plastics, unbolted the valve cover and with tender graceful patience she slipped right out from under intake manifold. My problem is that the seal is still seeping a bit. From the back, not sure if its only at the bolt locations or not. Im wondering if i overtightened. I read somewhere finger tight. Im a little tighter than that. Any thoughts?

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                        • #13
                          The bolts are torqued in inch-pounds. I tightened them enough to squish the rubber grommets pretty well is all, but definitely more than finger tight.
                          -Zack
                          Blue '93 GL Auto: White 13" 5 Point Wheels, Full LED Conversion, and an 8" Sub

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