lower cam cover corner leak - at wit's end

[larrym]

i have a seemingly incurable leak at only the lower rear corner of one cover (911 orientation) - on a 3.2

the covers are brand new, and pass the "flat bench fine sandpaper" test & draw-file tests - no warps

- appears to be weeping out at the corner stud & past the nut/washer, but appearances aren't everything, eh?

- this is mostly a problem when the car sits long time & the oil tank leaks down into the engine - i actually don't notice a problem when driven frequently -

have read a dozen or more threads on this cover leak issue, and tried all the usual ideas,

- no joy

y'all have any more ideas?

p.s. - - re: silicon "reusable" gskts - are they really? - i find that mine compress - always less thick after use than original out of box

[tirwin]

Other than using the 'thick' valve cover gaskets that John Walker recommends and barring some other simple solution, what about the Rothsport oil inlet check valve? That would keep oil leaking from the tank to the engine. Not a cheap fix but...

Pelican carries it by the way.

I tried the same silicon ones. I have another set of the good old fashioned valve cover gaskets sitting on the shelf for the next oil change.

[Jeff NJ]

The silicon gaskets have a much lower torque spec than the paper ones. If I recall correctly, it was 45 inch/lbs. but it was in the directions that came with them. No leaks for me once I switched to silicone.

[DRACO A5OG]

+1 the silicon has lower torque range

I use the lower value recommended and take a second pass to insure all nuts are tight to silicon manufacturer specs

[75 911s]

Had the same problem. I sanded my covers a second time and switched from the silicone back to cheap paper gaskets. This time I was uber careful when torquing the nuts down. That has stopped the leak there. I think when I had the silicon I over torqued and when they leaked, i went back and tried to tighten again which made them leak even more.

[larrym]

thanks all - resolved

pulled it off & replaced with a different cover, re-using the old Si gskt -

meanwhile - where does one get the " 'thick' gaskets that John Walker recommends"

- is it this? Weltmeister® 911 Valve Cover Gasket, Part #65-220965-1 ??
- or these from Pelican? http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/SuperCat/0826/POR_0826_BASFLT_pg3.htm#item13
- or these RG-911LATE-4 http://www.realgaskets.com/index.htm

or are all above the same product from one source ????
- see http://www.early911sregistry.org/forums/showthread.php?36002-Silicone-Valve-Cover-Gaskets-Cheaper!

some ANSWERS:
- http://rennlist.com/forums/911-forum/214179-80-911-sc-valve-cover-oil-leaks-fixed-after-3years.html
- Valve Cover Gaskets - Standard vs Silicone?
.- Leaking Silicone Exhaust Cover Gaskets .. What to do Now?
-

,

[Lapkritis]

Consider swapping to the Hargett billet covers which feature the modern gasket type? These are much more service friendly and reusable.

I would also inspect the cam tower for leaks above the gasket line. There are studs that thread entriely through the casting in places with atmosphere on one side and oil bath on the other.

Sent from my SM-T580 using Tapatalk

[T77911S]

you have over tightened the gaskets.
I just hand tighten mine and they are very very lose. if you think they are tight enough, you over tightened them.

they should NOT squeeze out past the valve cover.


your leak is probably the cam line on top of the engine,
I thought my leak was the lower stud at the corner for #4. it was the cam line. there are 3 washers on there. replace them.

the reusable gaskets are awesome.