oil leaking, what should i look for ?

[gsttuner22]

Hey guys, I have another problem now...well let me get to it. There is oil where the spark plugs are ( on the surface of the Valve Cover)...my mechanic told me it was from the Oil cap, He told me to buy a new so I did...After i start driving my car for a certain period of time...more and more oil accumulates...and its not from the oil cap like he said...and i stop on the emergency lane on the highway and clean off the oil...all of a sudden i smoke coming from the engine bay when i come to a stop...i look inside and see oil all over the alternator, water pump, exhaust mani., and etc...every other part thats around that area...im not sure where it can be coming from so if anyone can try and help to see where this problem can be from....answer me please...thanks

 

[oldman420]

Sounds like its comming from everywhere. To get oil where the spark plugs are you would need to have a piston ring blown right out. Souinds not good. Take it to a different mechanic because that sounds a "little" more serious than a oil cap

 

[gsttuner22]

impossible because they are all new...and there is NO oil in the spark plugs

 

[95tsiawd6blt]

your valve cover is probably cracked. clean it off really good, rev the car with the hood open and see if u can see where it leaks. if its leaking that bad, you should be able to tell where its coming from

 

[SBR Joe]

Actaully is sounds to me like a bad valve cover gasket to me.

 

[4SFED_GSX]

Actaully is sounds to me like a bad valve cover gasket to me.

+1 gasket set, it is always good to have new/newer vc gaskets.

 

[oldman420]

How does it get on top though if its the valve cover? Wouldn't it flow down the side? Last time i checked gravity flowed towards the middle of the earth. Cracked valve cover may be possible. Give your engine a good wash and if it's runs start it up and yah check for leaks. If the leak is as bad as you describe you should see it right away if your engine is clean.

 

[4SFED_GSX]

How does it get on top though if its the valve cover? Wouldn't it flow down the side? Last time i checked gravity flowed towards the middle of the earth. Cracked valve cover may be possible. Give your engine a good wash and if it's runs start it up and yah check for leaks. If the leak is as bad as you describe you should see it right away if your engine is clean.

true now that you mention it, i had a hair line crack in mine when i first got it and it would put oil everywhere. plus, my gaskets were all messed up so i really had a combination thing going on. i forgot all about that, that was back in mid '04, don't tell me i'm gettin too old and startin to lose my memory, .

 

[gsttuner22]

im gonna check for those tomorrow, thanks for the input you guys...laterrr, I'll repost right after the test. And yes its leaking thru my VC gasket. i figured that one out today before i drove the car out to pick up some parts...I can find the VC gaskets in Auto zone, or any other auto shop ?

 

[McFox]

I can find the VC gaskets in Auto zone, or any other auto shop ?

Yes.

 

[dsmpokolm]

It is definately a cracked valve cover. When you put it back on dont use a torque wrench just a 10mm socket and make it finger tight.

 

[wolf20043]

Probably the gasket, can be found for right around $40 or so. When putting the valve cover back on, as stated above. Do not over tighten, as it will crack. Pull the valve cover, remove old rubber gasket, clean all sufaces, check your valve cover for cracks ( will be darker oil satined lines underneath, look for oil build-up from the top and hairline cracks), put new gaskets on, and tighten until you see the gasket start to sqweeze out and stop. I use a cordless drill set to low tourqe.

How does it get on top though if its the valve cover? Wouldn't it flow down the side? Last time i checked gravity flowed towards the middle of the earth. Cracked valve cover may be possible. Give your engine a good wash and if it's runs start it up and yah check for leaks. If the leak is as bad as you describe you should see it right away if your engine is clean.

When the crankcase pressure builds the oil is going to more so spray. A crack will be pretty appearant to be loosing that much oil. If the Valve cover gasket failed in the front drivers corner, it is right above the power steering pump, and as stated, gravity willl cause it flow out and down, it is also getting to the P.S. pump, and probably spraying from the belts. But again, Thouroghly inspect the valve cover as well, as they are prone to crack.
Mike

 

[BoostedinSoFla]

Yep, the majority of you guys in this thread were right. Checked it out last night for him and his valve cover sure is cracked and he also needs a new VC gasket set. And by the way that gasket set is only about $20 at Advance Auto Parts, I think it's made by Felpro.

 

[4SFED_GSX]

glad to here it has been narrowed down .