re smoking valve cover gasket failure, again?
re smoking valve cover gasket failure, again?
I wonder if anyone has had this issue; Valve cover gaskets were replaced in May 2014. Sitting in the garage for a couple of months this past (some of Dec, Jan, part of Feb and the smoking from the right side (facing the engine) is back again. Do valve cover gaskets fail this quickly or can there be an underlying problem? Any thoughts to convey to the mechanic?? Thanks, I really appreciate any suggestions from forum members.
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Re: re smoking valve cover gasket failure, again?
180 mentioned the same component. I'll call Monday and ask that these be looked at. I assume that when valve covers leak, that the spillage/leak is obvious. That is what was fixed the first time so who knows about the breather vents. I'll ask- thanks!
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Join Date: Jun 2009
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Re: re smoking valve cover gasket failure, again?
I just yanked my breathers and Valve covers off and did Max's fix on them. Got em all cleaned up nicely and re-RTV'd the breathers. I changed the valve cover gaskets as well, but only on "General Principles" as they were fine.
I also changed every bolt, as it is said the bolts are single-use only. Total cost for bolts and gaskets as well as RTV: just under $95 (most of it from Needwings). The whole thing took me some six hours, but that's cause I'd never done it before AND I spent two hours just cleaning them - engine sure looks nicer now!
I also changed every bolt, as it is said the bolts are single-use only. Total cost for bolts and gaskets as well as RTV: just under $95 (most of it from Needwings). The whole thing took me some six hours, but that's cause I'd never done it before AND I spent two hours just cleaning them - engine sure looks nicer now!
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Re: re smoking valve cover gasket failure, again?
What is the truth here? I've read "7 ft/lbs max" on the bolts holding the breathers on and "10 ft/lbs max" on the valve cover bolts. Again, what is the truth here?
Re: re smoking valve cover gasket failure, again?
See, that is why I worded it like that - I questioned this myself. But I read it right here on the forum - that they are soft and will break off easily due to over-tightening. I also read that they are designed to snap off so that it will be easy to remove them AND so that you can't over-torque them and strip the threads they are going into.
What is the truth here? I've read "7 ft/lbs max" on the bolts holding the breathers on and "10 ft/lbs max" on the valve cover bolts. Again, what is the truth here?
What is the truth here? I've read "7 ft/lbs max" on the bolts holding the breathers on and "10 ft/lbs max" on the valve cover bolts. Again, what is the truth here?
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Re: re smoking valve cover gasket failure, again?
Which indicates to me that the dealer techs don't ever screw around with them.
Like we're forced to...
Whadda' ya' think?
Join Date: Sep 2007
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Re: re smoking valve cover gasket failure, again?
During re-assembly of breather cover I checked for valve cover bolt torque setting and found 10 N-m (7-8 Ft-lbs) on the service manual disc I've got. After I tightened the 2 bolts that pass thru the breather cover, I checked the remaining valve cover bolts. Found all of them less than 10 N-m. Re-tightened these bolts also. Then I tightened the 2 small hex head machine screws in the breather cover to 5-6 N-m (slightly over snug).
I do have marine grade screws instead of the aluminum securing my breather covers. The screws are coated to prevent corrosion.
Re: re smoking valve cover gasket failure, again?
I ordered a set of these from a Chrysler dealer some time back. But I don't recommend anyone doing that. The screws Chrysler substitutes are anodized steel and are 18 mm long rather than 16 mm. That extra 2 mm length gave me issues during re-assembly. I ended using marine grade steel bolts that have an anti-corrosion covering on them. Makes the screw compatible with the alloy valve covers.
Lots of discussion in another thread on this repair: Valve Cover Leak. onehundred80 discussed galvanic corrosion in this thread and I think he hit the nail on the head with this point. Would explain the selection of aluminum screws by M-B to avoid this longer-term issue. And that goes for using Stainless Steel versions also. If one uses steel screws, I'd strongly recommend a marine grade screw which has an anti-corrosion coating.
Last edited by dedwards0323; 03-13-2016 at 09:21 AM.
Re: re smoking valve cover gasket failure, again?
You say "I ordered a set of these from a Chrysler dealer some time back. But I don't recommend anyone doing that. The screws Chrysler substitutes are anodized steel and are 18 mm long rather than 16 mm. That extra 2 mm length gave me issues during re-assembly. I ended using marine grade steel bolts that have an anti-corrosion covering on them. Makes the screw compatible with the alloy valve covers"
Are you referring to the screws used on the valve covers or the breather vents atop the valve covers?
Thanks
Are you referring to the screws used on the valve covers or the breather vents atop the valve covers?
Thanks
Re: re smoking valve cover gasket failure, again?
You say "I ordered a set of these from a Chrysler dealer some time back. But I don't recommend anyone doing that. The screws Chrysler substitutes are anodized steel and are 18 mm long rather than 16 mm. That extra 2 mm length gave me issues during re-assembly. I ended using marine grade steel bolts that have an anti-corrosion covering on them. Makes the screw compatible with the alloy valve covers"
Are you referring to the screws used on the valve covers or the breather vents atop the valve covers?
Thanks
Are you referring to the screws used on the valve covers or the breather vents atop the valve covers?
Thanks