Leaky Valve Cover

[91EclipseFWD]

Okay I have a 91 Eclipse gs 2.0L 5 Speed. My original valve cover was leaking bad in the area of where the spark plug cover: covers. I replaced the gasket and the valve cover the leaking was completely stopped for about 2 days. Then on 30 mile+ drives it started to leak gradually. Now it is like a flood of oil. I do not have my spark plug cover on because it's stock and has no venting. Any answers or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[tommiman]

From what you stated above it looks like you didn't change the spark plug gaskets and the half moon gasket. This should have came in your valve cover gasket kit (that's if you bought a valve gasket kit). Try changing these. Also make sure your valve cover bolts are snug. You don't want them too tight or else any valve cover gaskets will definetly leak. Another possibility is that when you were taking your old valve cover off you somehow damaged the mating surfaces. This usually happens when using a screwdriver or pry bar to seperate the valve cover. You may need to resurface.

 

[91EclipseFWD]

Thanks for the reply. Yes i was reading my haynes manual about the prying. I did pry both of them off gently with a broom handle. My mating suraces do not appear to be gouged or anything I used a small amount of gasket sealant also. I did use new spark plug gaskets, However i did not use the half moon, because someone told me that would be more likely to make it leak, Also I do not know where the half moon gasket goes. The half moon is the gasket peace that looks something like this |) right? has little grooves or rides down the sides of it?
When tightening the valve cover bolts i just snugged them, because i know it's better to have them too loose than too tight, can always tighten later as needed.
Thanks again for the speady reply.

 

[tommiman]

no problem

The half moon on the 4G63 is next to the breather hose when facing the engine at the front of the car with the hood open (the left side of the valve cover). I noticed you have a non-turbo so it might be different for you. The half circle part of the half moon is against the head and the flat part is against the valve cover.

Where exactly are you leaking from?

 

[Talonracer06]

i had the same problem..if its leaking into where the plugs are on the vc....its the oil cap, bc the stock and aftermarket oil caps do not have gaskets...go to ur local auto store and ask for a gasket kit, or gasket material..i got cork and it sucks soo get something diff. its like 10$ the cut it soo it fits on the oil cap...u may need to put multiple layers on until its hard to get the cap on..it will seel it and no more leak....i have almost 4 layers it on my cap....i redid the plugs aand wires too cuz i thot the leak was fixed and now its back cuz the cork soaks it up then shrinks...allowing oil to get out...doo the cap first ...cheapest way to possibley fix ur problem.

 

[Strm Trpr]

Unfortunately you guys didn't know stock oil caps do have gaskets....
They get so hard they turn into plastic....
I got an EVO VIII oil cap from.... well if you want to know ask.... $15 shipped....
Check it....

 

[SpooledGSX98]

Also, I had a small amount of oil leaking into my spark plug valley. I had tightened the valve cover bolts inside the valley, a little too tightley and put a hairline crack in one of corners of the valley. Very small amounts of oil would get out, but the crack spread to my t-belt, and started getting it oily. NO GOOD. Take off your Tbelt cover and make sure there isnt any oil on the Tbelt, and check to see if theres any cracks...unless youre 100% sure where the oil is comming from. Hope that helps any...

 

[91EclipseFWD]

Thanks for all the replies right now my valve cover is off being washed and in the process of drying not sure about the half moon but I think I understand it sits vertically under the valve cover where the hose is on the left running to the intake tube(or intercooler on turbo models) is this correct?

Also i think some oil may be leaking from my oil cap too. Because it's painted with high temp. paint and the oil is eating it away inside by the spark plugs and around the oil cap. I had no idea that oil caps had gaskets. Also I would like to know where you(Strm Trpr) found the evo VIII oil cap. Also the pic is of the evo oil cap on a 4g63 valve cover?

Thanks again everyone. Sorry for the novice questions I'm new to mechanic work and to the DSM world. But I already love the DSM I have.