I've had a leaky left valve cover since I bought the car. It's very minor, but I keep my eyes on it closely. Oil doesn't pour out, or drip. It just seeps out. The bottom egdes of the valve cover are caked in crud, I try to keep them clean. So far no oil has leaked onto the exhaust manifold, but the side of the block looks like there is oil burned onto it. Those valve covers are a pain to get off. I do not want to mess with it if I don't have to.

Since it is such a minor leak, would it be best to let sleeping dogs lie?

Things like this go to hell in a handbasket. I'd hate to wait on it because it's minor and then have it turn into a massive problem.

 

like cliche's much? lol j/k.

for sure make sure there is always ample oil running through your engine, other than that as long as the oil is jut dripping from inside the valve cover to the outside atmosphere, there shouldnt be any huge problems that i can think of. make sure all the bolts are tightened, and if you really wanted you could clean off the area where it seeps and gob it over with rtv sealant, cant say that would definitly help, but it might. next time you have the intake off though, make sure you pull that valve cover and reseal it.

the only problem i could imagine would be that some vapors that would otherwise be burned up through the pcv system could escape into the environment and smoggy smog the clear blue sky. think of all the swammy swans and the brown barbalutes!!!!

 

Just replace the valve cover gaskets, it's not that hard of a job, just tedious becuase you have to remove the plennum and fuel rail.

 

IF ya wanna
tighten the valve covers nuts "some more".
And leave it be, until it's really bad.
They're 8mm nuts or 10 mm nuts.