I'm getting an oil leak from around my valve cover bolts. They are center bolt valve covers and I've torqued them down to the correct specs. It seems to be seeping out and running along the top of the valve covers. Theres a nice bit of residue and its getting the covers and the plug wires dirty. What is causing this and what can I do to stop it??

Thanks

 

have the copper washers on the bolts? sure it isn't leaking from a grommet?

 

I've got the washers that came with the car. They look to be steel. Yes, I'm sure it's not the gromet as it's leaking from both sides. I should have said it was leaking from both in my first post.

 

Here is a pic of the Drivers side

 

Here is a pic of the passenger's side. It does appear to be leaking around the gromet on this side.

 

Have you cjecked your PVC valve lately? At first glance it appears to be a blow by problem, too much pressure building inside the motor and it's pushing out through the grommets and oil cap.

 

I replaced the PCV valve within the last couple months. I just went and looked at it and it still rattles. I hope it's not blow by. Anything I can do to check for it?

 

wouldnt a dab of silicone under the washer fix it up?

 

Those are the wrong washers from what i can see in the pic.

 

Hmm. I didn't know there were other washers. What do the correct washers look like and where can I get them. Most importantly, will they fix my problem?

Thanks

 

I am not 100% sure but i think they are suppose to be copper and you have to replace the bolt, because the washer comes with it and shouldnt come off by itself. Dealer item as far as I know little over a buck a piece

 

That should solve your problem unless you have excessive blow by

 

Thanks! I ran by Lowe's today and picked up some copper washers. So I'll give them a try.

 

I went out today once the car was good any warm and removed the oil cap and pulled the PCV valve out of the valve cover. I then reved it up some while in park and thin wispy white/light grey smoke came out of both holes. It's 50 *F outside right now if that has anything to do with it. I'm gonna run a compression test tomorrow. Does the smoke mean I'm getting a lot of blow by?

 

If anyone is still following along...

I did a compression test today and the results were good. I also installed the copper washers today so we'll see how that goes. From the looks of the old washers on there they had been tighetened down too often and started to flex up at the outer edges.