Rocker cover hole and bad idle

[Bodicifer]

G'day guys

Long term follower of the site. I'm from Melbourne, Australia and I have a 2003 4.0 UX right hand drive. Recently I copped a hole in the rear top corner of my drivers side rocker cover (so the left hand side if you are standing at the front of the car facing the windscreen). I assume maybe it was from a stretched chain but am not sure. The engine light is on and the oil is leaking down on to the exhaust system which when hot is obviously causing some smoke to come up. It's driveable but idling really rough now like it's going to conk out. Someone suggested a vacuum leak. Could it be from the same thing ie. air getting in through the rocker cover? Can you replace the rocker cover without pulling the engine out?

Would really appreciate any ideas.

Cheers

Bodi

 

[snoranger]

You always name the side of the engine or vehicle as viewed from the drivers seat. So you would call that the right side of the engine.

It sounds like the chain jumped a tooth and went through the valve cover. That would explain the hole and the rough idle. It's possible something (cam follower, piece of the chain guide, etc) got loose and went through the cover. Either way, I'd pull the valve cover and investigate.