oil leak at valve cover

no911 · 06-10-2004, 10:40 PM

lower back two bolts on left valve cover have an oil drip. Im sure this has been done to death on the board , but wat is that a sign of? Valave cover gasket neeeds replacing?? is this chronic on these cars? I was thinking of doing a valve adj. anyway.

aigel · aigel's Garage

Is it an early car that doesn't have the later "turbo" covers? Then it is a notorious area. Once you have the stiffer covers, it shouldn't leak.

Note that oil collects in drops on the lowest spots on the engine. So the leak coudl be further up also.

George

no911 · 06-11-2004, 05:00 AM

Aigel

I suppose, i should have said. It is an 1984 carrerra with the 3.2. Does it have the turbo covers? Im still new to the porsche thing and am trying to sort this out. But, it is not coming from further up that I can see. When I wipe a drop off, a new one appears. I torqued down the two bolts and am waiting to see if there is a difference. Any more thoughts on the valve cover gasket leaking through there? Thanks for all help.

Hugh R · 06-11-2004, 06:50 AM

My understanding is that 84's came with the turbo valve covers on the exhaust, they have raised ribs on them compared to the inlets which don't. Do a valve adjust and use new gaskets. You might also look at the chain tensioner pipes, the "banjo" bolts on my block were loose and they're just above the rear end of the valve covers, check them as well.

sammyg2 · 06-11-2004, 07:38 AM

I recommend buying red silicone gaskets. They seal better IMO and are re-useable. Be very careful of how tight you get those nuts. Factory gaskets don't take very much torque at all (around 7 ft lbs IIRC) and the silicone gaskets take about half of that. Put them on dry with no oil, grease, or sealant. Don't not over-tighten them, that causes more leaks than it fixes. You should always use new nuts and washers too,
I don't but you should

no911 · 06-11-2004, 11:10 AM

ill look and see about the turbo covers and banjo bolts. I'll get soem silicone covers too. thanks. any other thoughts apprecaited.

aigel · aigel's Garage

Yeah, your car has the turbo covers. They started on the SC, maybe 80 up.

If you have the covers off, check them for flatness. Also, torque is real important on these 8Nm evenly across. Evenness is the key.

George

vash · vash's Garage

make sure the oil is not coming from the oil return tubes. oil leaks can be a tricky chameleon. if you have a B.A.O.S (big a$$ oil spot) on the ground, i bet it is the return tubes. i was fooled not once but three times, but i am an optimist. "no way, it is the oil return tubes, please be the easy to change valve cover gaskets, PLEASE!" damn! (someone once asked, "how many oil return tubes does your car have? i was asking about them that much)