Resolved Valve Cover Madness

[mitecl96]

I have had more car for about two years. The whole time I have owned the vehicle, it has always leaked from the valve cover. I have changed the gasket 4 times before my rebuild.

I was hoping it wouldn't leak because when I was rebuilding the motor I seen 4 of the threads on the head where just about stripped. I fix it with heli coils.

After the rebuild it was only leaking from 3 of the spark plug tubes. Took the valve cover off and cleaned everything off and put it back on and again it leaked on 2 of the spark plugs.

I put the cover on just like the manual says. In a 3 step torque down. 3.3 ft lb than 6.5 ft lbs than finally 9 ft lbs. I do it in sequence like the manual say.

Still frustrated I took it back off and cleaned it up again. This time I used a high temp. gasket maker.

Guess what happen, yet again, it leaked from some of the spark plug seals.

Can someone please help me, and tell me what I have done wrong over and over again. I only have one valve cover seal set left.

 

[gusu]

How exactly was the valve cover removed? If it was a bi*** to get off and it was pried off then it might be warped. For future reference a stuck valve cover should be loosened by smacking the side with a rubber mallet, because it won't cause warping. Some times you have to smack the #### out of it with a mallet to break the seal.

For example, I got a nice black valve cover from the lock pick-a-part. It was a total bi*** to get off and took about 15 hard whacks with my mallet before it finally broke the seal. It literally sounded like it was vacuum sealed on.

My point is, if you weren't the first to remove the cover you have to idea what another dumb shit could have done to it.


I support checking it to see if it is flat.










*edit* I guess I missed the part where you said you have a new valve cover. It sounds like your threads are either bad, possibly bad hardware, or a warped head.

 

[mitecl96]

I was thinking and looking and wondered if this had anything to do with it maybe.

When I go to put the bolts in and hand tighten them fist the bolt rod part bottoms out on the head before I torque it down. I made a picture to help explain this better.

Is this how it is suppose to work or am I missing a washer to give it more room?

I know the bolt as a flat part of it that is like a washer.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

I've always went slow. Did all the prep work and everything is spotless.

I'm about to go get new seals to try this again. I'm not going to get felpro, I'm going for the factory spec ones at advance.

I got all new bolts, all holes have been helicoiled, new valve cover, the rubber grommets for the bolts are new, and seals were all new.

 

[casperfast]

I really don't want to use anything that sprays on because I don't want a mess anywhere because the whole engine bay was cleaned up and painted.





.

its not a spray. its just in a pressurized can. its thick black silicone. just like rtv but comes out of a can.

 

[silvreclips]

I was thinking and looking and wondered if this had anything to do with it maybe.

When I go to put the bolts in and hand tighten them fist the bolt rod part bottoms out on the head before I torque it down. I made a picture to help explain this better.

Is this how it is suppose to work or am I missing a washer to give it more room?

I know the bolt as a flat part of it that is like a washer.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

I've always went slow. Did all the prep work and everything is spotless.

I'm about to go get new seals to try this again. I'm not going to get felpro, I'm going for the factory spec ones at advance.

I got all new bolts, all holes have been helicoiled, new valve cover, the rubber grommets for the bolts are new, and seals were all new.

Yes there is suppose to be a washer under the bolt.

 

[mitecl96]

How thick is the washer suppose to be

 

[spyderdrifter]

I can't tell from your pictures, but did you put in the spark plug o-ring parts of the VC gasket?

 

[mitecl96]

Ok have figured out my problem. I was missing washers for the bolts. Car never had them and never heard or seen in the manual for washers. Got it replaced again today and no leak. Couldn't be happier.
Check my build thread soon for the added detail I put in the valve cover.