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Oil leak @ exhaust valve cover
My 79 SC has a slight leak from the lowest point of one of the exhaust valve covers. The car has been sitting for weeks due to some modifications (non-engine related). There is not enough oil for it to get to the floor, just a few drops on the SSI's just below the drip.
I assume that a new gaskets at the next valve adjustment will help, but should I be concerned about more serious problems, i.e. valve guides, studs, etc.? Am I likely to find something ugly when I remove the cover? I didn't think there was supposed to be much oil in that area. Excuse my ignorance, my mechanics training is lacking, but I am learning. Advice? 
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Lothar of the Hill People Gruppe B #33 The Founders would vomit at the sight of the government that the People's lack of vigilance has permitted to take hold. |
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05-02-2002, 05:56 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Ashburn VA.
Posts: 667
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These cars dont like to sit to long they find out ways to tell you its time to drive me. The drip should go away after you drive it a few times. This is very common.
GB83SC |
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05-02-2002, 06:04 AM
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I should have added: this car uses synthetic oil since a complete rebuild 4k miles ago. I know that synthetic is very good at finding its way past seals and gaskets.
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Lothar of the Hill People Gruppe B #33 The Founders would vomit at the sight of the government that the People's lack of vigilance has permitted to take hold. |
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05-02-2002, 06:07 AM
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Join Date: May 2002
Location: Indiana
Posts: 4,553
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I have replaced my lower valve covers with the upgraded turbo covers, used the good silicone gaskets, switched to 20W50 oil, and tourqed the nuts in sequence to specs. Mine still leaks if it sits for a long time. Nature of the beast I suppose.
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Keeper of the Titanium Monkey 1975 911S (sold) 1973 911 w/3.2 (sold) 1983 911SC targa (sold) Looking for a 987.2 or 981 Cayman |
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05-02-2002, 06:09 AM
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Schleprock
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Frankfort IL USA
Posts: 16,639
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Shawn hit on a good point..............
Torquing of the valve covers appears to be quite an important part of the equation. Torque spec. is really low- 6 or 8 lb.-ft. I believe. I like to torque the covers from the center to the outside, alternating top to bottom best you can as you go. When you replace the gaskets, it's very important to make sure the cam tower surface is free of crud. Since the torque spec. is so light, it's easy for a small blob of crud (or old gasket residue) to cause a slight leak. Cleanliness seems to be pretty important. I had a couple of leaks from the studs right at the nut on the low side of the cover. When I pulled the motor, I spent some time cleaning the surfaces on the cam towers and on the valve covers themselves. No leaks thru the nuts anymore. Valve covers could also be warped if they were overtorqued and unevenly torqued. Lots of heat down near those valve covers due to the exhaust system!!!! Alot of oil sits on the bottom of the lower valve covers when the car is at rest. You'll see this when you pull the covers off.
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Kevin L '86 Carrera "Larry" Last edited by KTL; 05-02-2002 at 07:51 AM.. |
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05-02-2002, 07:48 AM
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1978 Porsche 911 SC 3.0 L
