Losing oil on 98 GS auto

IIv SHaDoW vII · 02-01-2008, 08:30 PM

K, on my 98 GS automatic is losing oil. At every oil change they say its a quart low.. I changed a leaking valve cover gasket but on the intake side there is still a little square notch under the valve cover on the intake side that leaks oil.. I can tell because there is still wet looking oil under and around it.. So I figure this is the problem. The car in general has 130k miles so I know its natural to burn a little oil.. but it shouldnt be leaking enough to notice.
To be more specific about this notch I have pics.. here they are

So from the pics can you identify what this is and what I need to buy to get rid of the leak.. Also, is this a significant enough leak to drop the oil a full quart every 3000 miles? (bout 5-6 months each change for me on this car, I dont drive it as much as my GST)
The car doesnt smoke or anything, but you can smell slight oil from the exhaust while its running.. Nothing out of the normal.

iugrad92turbo · 02-01-2008, 08:38 PM

I dont have a 420a but i would recheck your valve cover.

IIv SHaDoW vII · 02-01-2008, 09:23 PM

Well I have look around but the vc gasket is new and its only leaking from this spot now.. its a little square (removable?) notch in the side..
But this thing that still noticably leaks I have no idea what gasket or part it is to swap it for one that wont leak.. whether its the whole part or just a gasket I have no idea.

BigRand · 02-03-2008, 01:59 PM

Take a look at the 2GNT.com - home click on engine then cylinder head as well as camshafts and valves. and see if you can see if you might be missing anything. or locate what part could be leaking.

to really find the oil leak, your going to have to use brake cleaner on the spots where you see oil, and if you have access to compressed air chuck or can of air, blow it clean, then see if you can locate where the oil is coming from with the car on.

absolute_DSM · 02-03-2008, 02:02 PM

The "notch" that you are talking about I believe would be the plug on the head at the end of the intake cam? Thats what it looks like.

If you check in your Chiltons manual youll see that the plug should be sealed with RTV, there isnt a gasket for it.

IIv SHaDoW vII · 02-03-2008, 03:41 PM

Thanks guys.. Ill buy some stuff today to seal it then.. I will also check around for any other oil leaks.. Could this be causing me to lose so much oil or is it more likely that my engine is burning it?

absolute_DSM · 02-03-2008, 06:39 PM

I have a DD 98 Eclipse GS with 180k that was losing just as much oil as you say and it had the exact same leak. Im not saying you are leaking from the same plug, but it sure looks familar.

IIv SHaDoW vII · 02-03-2008, 09:43 PM

Wow thanks bro.. You really made me feel alot better.. Im replacing the seal tomorrow and hopefully that will be the end of it.. I am also going to check for new leaks around the oil pump and headgasket.. Thanks for your input.. hopefully its the same problem.

absolute_DSM · 02-04-2008, 07:12 AM

I would just make sure you let the RTV cure for 12 hours or so after torquing down the valve cover. That way its more solid and set. Good luck!

brassc2007 · 04-10-2008, 01:33 AM

take and put some rtv silicone on that plug over where it begins and ends on each side and where that gasket goes up in half circles put a dab right in the little angle like corners i have a 420a in myh 97 talon and it was leaking and that fixed the leak no problem good luck