oil leaks 911

should i have replaced the valve cover gaskets when i checked the head studs ? seams to be leaking oil on both sides leaked a little before i took them off and will this cause a fire from dripping on the heat exchangers? seams to have a little oil on top of the passenger side top valve cover where could that come from? thanks Bill

Yes Bill, replace the valve cover gaskets. I doubt you'll get a fire, but you get a burnt oil smell when it drips on the heat exchangers- not very civilised. Check all the mating surfaces for nicks whilst it's apart too- they may be the result of a screwdriver butcher some time in the past. When that's all cleaned up have a careful look at the oil above the valve cover and try to trace its origin and get back to us.

The standard (early) valve covers kinda suck overall compared to the later "turbo" ones. A fairly cheap upgrade ~$50/60 used or I think $90 new. Supposedly greatly improves the seal and lessens warpage. Mine are waiting to be installed ASAP!

I have reused my valve gasket covers many times while readjusting my valves, just use some high temp RTV on both sides of the gasket

If you see oil dripping from the top of the oil cooler or in that general area its either the oil thermostat o ring (most likely thses shrink and get brittle after time) , your oil light sender or the breather hose connection from the engine that goes to the oil tank

I have reused my valve gasket covers many times while readjusting my valves, just use some high temp RTV on both sides of the gasket

If you see oil dripping from the top of the oil cooler or in that general area its either the oil thermostat o ring (most likely thses shrink and get brittle after time) , your oil light sender or the breather hose connection from the engine that goes to the oil tank