Thoughts on how to remedy this oil leak?

[AzioAceAzio]

Oil is leaking at this weak spot between my head and valve cover and dripping onto my SSI's causing a large amount of smoke. Tired the silicone gaskets but as you can see the space is too large to seal with just that. Think gasket maker is the next step?

[3literpwr]

Are they updated covers? Are they flat? Proper torque with new gasket and nuts?

[AzioAceAzio]

Upgraded 930 covers
No low spots
Proper torque

[hughc]

The way I see it, the weak spot appears to be on the head and not the valve cover..
If so how did that happen?

[AzioAceAzio]

My thoughts exactly. Might not ever know the why but would love to remedy it in the most appropriate way without and engine out and decking of the head itself.

[eastbay]

IMO, there is not enough squish out to those silicon gaskets. Should squish out like a D or a ) .

Forget the torque spec and go by looks.

[hughc]

Originally Posted by eastbay

IMO, there is not enough squish out to those silicon gaskets. Should squish out like a D or a ) .

Forget the torque spec and go by looks.

eastbay, you have good point. op could try tightening the valve cover nuts until the gasket is notably squished.
If that still doesn't solve the problem I'll return with another idea.

[AzioAceAzio]

What is the worst case with potentially over torquing?

[dannobee]

Originally Posted by AzioAceAzio

What is the worst case with potentially over torquing?

The gasket will ooze out more and split. But at this point, what do you have to lose?

Are you certain that the valve covers are flat? did you sand them on a flat piece of granite?

[AzioAceAzio]

Sanded them 180 on a piece of glass yes.

[john walker's workshop]

Get some real gaskets that you can tighten the nuts on

[AzioAceAzio]

What are "real gaskets?" I've tried the graphite, OEM & silicone ones.

[TwoBluPorsches]

Originally Posted by AzioAceAzio

Oil is leaking at this weak spot between my head and valve cover and dripping onto my SSI's causing a large amount of smoke. Tired the silicone gaskets but as you can see the space is too large to seal with just that. Think gasket maker is the next step?

Yes, try some of the many available liquid gaskets.

It will make the valve adjustment process a pain but you can seal it with the right goop.

My poor memory thinks Yamabond or one of the equivalents would be correct, but you should look up the properties/ usage and see what fills large gaps.

The sealant thread in the engine rebuilding forum has a lot of good information.


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[boyt911sc]

The valve cover does not come in contact with the cylinder heads. The contact is between the VC and cam tower. Could be a typo error?

Tony

[TwoBluPorsches]

Originally Posted by boyt911sc

The valve cover does not come in contact with the cylinder heads. The contact is between the VC and cam tower. Could be a typo error?

Tony

Correct,
It looks like the joint between the cam tower an valve cover.

The sealer between head and cam tower is just a thin coat of one of the liquid sealers


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[PeteKz]

What Tony said. The valve covers go against the cam housing. Get it clean and use a RTV gasket maker/sealer.

[AzioAceAzio]

My error + typo regarding cam tower. Here’s an image of my work. Not the best but hopeful it will get the job done. Let it cure overnight and will torque further in the morning. Appreciate all the info you guys provided. Don’t hesitate if you have further thoughts!

[hughc]

Originally Posted by AzioAceAzio

My error + typo regarding cam tower. Here’s an image of my work. Not the best but hopeful it will get the job done. Let it cure overnight and will torque further in the morning. Appreciate all the info you guys provided. Don’t hesitate if you have further thoughts!

What you've done Azio may very well do the trick, but in the event you're not happy I'll throw this solution out there. First off we must determine that the cavity is in fact on the cam tower. IF the cavity isn't on the cam tower, forget about the rest of this post
It's just an idea for a more permanent solution (without welding) and those of you with much more experience can pick it apart.
I would clean the cavity thoroughly and then rough up the surface somewhat. I might even consider using a dremel to put very small cuts in the cavity.
I would prepare a small amount of JB Weld and apply it to the cavity. I would then cover the JB Weld with waxed paper, put the valve cover on tightly(without any gasket) and let it harden.
The excess JB will squish out and can be cleaned up once it has hardened.
I am suggesting this avenue because one of my friends busted a case on his dirt bike and couldn't drive home without repair. JB saved the day.
Good luck

[PeteKz]

Hugh: That's even better.

[AzioAceAzio]

Leak #1 (green arrow) has been solved, thanks everyone. Now I have a way more offense leak coming from leak #2 (red arrow) — thoughts?