Stupid valve cover gaskets

[BigPoser]

So I'm getting pretty frustrated with a leak from my passenger side valve covers. I picked up a Fel Pro Permadry gasket set and put it on this morning hoping to stop this f'ing leak. Get everything on and snugged down, drive to work, and it's still coming out the lower back corner. A pretty good amount I might add.

It's my understanding that you can't over tighten these gaskets, but I don't want to hammer it down either. The surface on my heads is clean and smooth from what I can tell.

Do I just need to tighten them down more. I didn't use any silicone either. Should I?

Oil leaks suck ass.

Brandon

 

[Georgeb]

Have you checked that your valve cover is straight? Also make sure it hasn't been over tightened by a previous owner. Check to be sure the area around the bolt holes are flat. if their not they need to be flat and not pushed in towards the gasket.

 

[BigPoser]

Have you checked that your valve cover is straight? Also make sure it hasn't been over tightened by a previous owner. Check to be sure the area around the bolt holes are flat. if their not they need to be flat and not pushed in towards the gasket.

Yup, valve covers are new and I made sure not to tighten too much. I also have the Fel Pro spreaders installed. I double checked that the head surface was smooth as well. I guess I'll have to check again.

 

[Georgeb]

Yup, valve covers are new and I made sure not to tighten too much. I also have the Fel Pro spreaders installed. I double checked that the head surface was smooth as well. I guess I'll have to check again.

Seems odd but are you sure the path is the valve cover? Seems to me I recall sometime ago having an issue with an oil leak that ended up being from a bolt hole. That memory is very fuzzy and may not be applicable but it's a shot. Can you visually see the source of the leak? With a mirror on a stick?

 

[BigPoser]

Seems odd but are you sure the path is the valve cover? Seems to me I recall sometime ago having an issue with an oil leak that ended up being from a bolt hole. That memory is very fuzzy and may not be applicable but it's a shot. Can you visually see the source of the leak? With a mirror on a stick?

Confirmed and verified that it's coming from the lower back corner of the passenger side valve cover. Checked with a mirror. Hmmmmm.

 

[Georgeb]

Confirmed and verified that it's coming from the lower back corner of the passenger side valve cover. Checked with a mirror. Hmmmmm.

Bummer! Ok, just because hey are new..... Did you check for sure if they are flat? That that corner isn't out of spec?

 

[bucket]

Are they cheap chrome valve covers?

I've had very good luck with the Mr Gasket UltraSeal gaskets too. They are a thick cork casket with a thin rubberized coating of some sort. They work well and can often be reused also.

 

[firebane]

I used fel pro blue valve cover gaskets and I'm using a set of $25 "chrome" valve covers.

You need to make 100% sure that both surfaces are clean and NOT smooth. I took some 220 grit sandpaper to the inner lip of the valve covers and made sure both surfaces were spotless with acetone.

And then used t-bars and spread bars and I have zero leaks.

 

[rich weyand]

I used these: http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS+Performance+Products/555/21100/10002/-1

And these: http://www.jegs.com/i/Proform/778/66292BKC/10002/-1

And this: http://www.skygeek.com/gunk-t25-66-...-sealing-compound-medium-weight-1-lb-tin.html

 

[Rusty Nail]

Best gaskets I ever used were blue silicone.

Just say "no" to cork.

Sounds like you are over-tightening them, that torque spec is 10 in/lbs? 7 ft/lbs.?
Not much!

Flip the cover around and see what happens....switch sides , run an old one...whatever your options are.

Good luck big poser!

 

[Green79Scottsdale]

I didn't use any silicone either. Should I?

If your problem persists after doing all the suggestions from everyone else, throw the gaskets away and use RVT. My truck hasn't had valve cover gaskets in over 20 years at least, and never leaks a drop!

 

[Georgeb]

If your problem persists after doing all the suggestions from everyone else, throw the gaskets away and use RVT. My truck hasn't had valve cover gaskets in over 20 years at least, and never leaks a drop!

I agree! If you clean everything really well. Apply a really good bead on the covers, set them on, start the bolts but don't tighten them and leave it sit over night to set up. The next morning just tighten them up by hand with a nut driver.