Valve cover leak?

[rizzjc]

Well, I did some searching around to try to figure out where my oil is going. I can smell it, it does not drip, and no smoke, coolant and tranny fluid are clean. So, one idea that came up was the valve cover. So, I did some looking when I got home today, and did notice a nice coating of oil on the frame, driver side. Did what checking I could when it was hot, and it looks like it just might be the valve cover on the driver's side.

I'm not sure how much longer I can carry this thing. 0% financing is sounding better every day. I just finished the timing set/front seal job a month ago, and now this is apparently where the rest of my oil is going. I'm not ready for another big job yet. "course, this just adds to my already leaking headers (tick tick tick). I'd hate to see what a shop would charge to do this.

Just needed to cry a little.

 

[Turdle]

Weren't you headed this way in a while?
We could knock that out in an afternoon-early evening.

 

[rizzjc]

That'd be sweet! However, wife and two kids in the Explorer from NC to KS would probably result in death. Yeah, we'll be flying. September probably. Seems like it would take more than an afternoon or evening to get to them, but I don't know. If I gotta do a lot of work anyway, then I'm going Torque Monsters too!

 

[shamaal]

Drivers side valve cover is easy. Access to the passenger side is more messy

But while you have them off perhaps they could be powder coated?

 

[rizzjc]

Hmmmm..... So, JT, how long would I be down if I shipped some valve covers to you? Or wait 'til September, and pay you a visit?

So, it looks like I can get a metal core, rubber gasket. Seems that would be best, over paper, or cork. Heck, if I'm gonna do it, might as well do it right!

 

[Turdle]

Hmmmm..... So, JT, how long would I be down if I shipped some valve covers to you? Or wait 'til September, and pay you a visit?

So, it looks like I can get a metal core, rubber gasket. Seems that would be best, over paper, or cork. Heck, if I'm gonna do it, might as well do it right!

Either way will be fine--although a get together would really be great!!

I will promise a one day turn around--

But why stop there? must do the upper intake and plaque--

 

[rizzjc]

Remember the comment about big jobs? I'm just not ready for another one. But maybe by September. Getting the upper intake to you might be tough though. But it makes sense to take it off to, since the TM install would be easier. As long as the total cost is under what a shop would charge for half the job, then I can pass it through the boss.

 

[rizzjc]

Well, while the truck was cold today, I climbed up on top of the engine to I could feel around. No sign of oil anywhere around the valve covers, and no sign of any oil anywhere close to the valve covers. I don't think it's the valve covers. I'd really like to know where it's going though. Over 100k miles and I never lost a DROP of oil. The sinking apparently didn't help, but now I think all of the external leaks are repaired, and it's still losing it somewhere.

 

[Turdle]

How does it look in the bellhousing inspection hole?

 

[rizzjc]

Didn't pull that, but when my rear seal was leaking it came out there, and everwhere else, and dripped directly onto the cat, and drip after shutting it off, so I don't think it's there. Were you thinking rear seal, or something else?

There is some .... something, on the tranny, but it's just a bit. I'm guessing a little tranny fluid, but hard to tell when it's all over the outside of the housing, and dirty. I would guess maybe a little overflow out of the filler tube hole, since it is no longer tightly sealed into the tranny.