Excessive valve cover gasket leak.

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bmw635

bmw635

10 Year
Joined
Jan 25, 2011
Threads
43
Messages
454
Location
OC , S CA
Any idea on what's causing this newer valve cover gasket leak after 5k miles on engine rebuild? This spot was just cleaned this morning after drive of 7 miles. I had same leak on old gasket at same area that was attributed to old gasket but this new gasket is leaking same area.
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Did you install the new valve cover seal or did someone else do it?

My first though is perhaps there is a flaw or some damage in that area of the valve cover that is causing the leak. May be worth the time pulling to investigate. That is, if you are overly concerned with that leak.
 
I checked the cover area for gouge, crack, dirt, before putting on the OEM Toyota gasket along with all Toyota parts in the rebuild. Checked the surface for warp and it doesn't look it. No crack in the housing. Weird thing is it's fine since engine rebuild 5k miles ago and this leak is only last 1k miles, that's why I removed the heat shield to be sure. I cleaned it real good with brake cleaner, Simple green this morning and seems it must be leaking a lotwithin 7 miles driving today.

I"ll pull the gasket again this weekend and get new gasket to reinstall with a bead of sealant on top of the gasket to build up extra compression in that area. Any reason why it would leak thou? I hate to be doing this 2nd time and still leak. TIA.
 
The pcv is new and only 1 way to install , right? No way it's upside down? Any chance it's defective? There's pretty good vaccum on the throttle body. I should have tried to suck on the throttle body hose end to see if it's stuck.

The crank case tube is not leaking.
 
If it's leaking as much as you say, then giving that whole area a good clean and then running the engine you should see the oil leaking/seeping out in real time in a few minutes. Should help pinpoint exactly WHERE it is leaking from.

When I replaced my valve cover gasket it sat very nicely in the groove (I used a bit of tacky grease to hold it in place so it wouldn't fall out during the install). I also didn't go crazy tightening down on all the bolts and squeezing the life out of the new gasket. No leaks after many 1000's of miles since doing the job.

cheers,
george.
 
There are stops built into the valve cover that keep u from cranking down to hard on the vc gasket. Check to see if u have hit those to the head. if you do, you might of warped the head cranking down. Just a thought I'd go ahead and re do it though.
 
Likely came out of it's groove slightly while installing and is pinched there. Happened to me my first time around in the back corner.
 
I probably tighten it too much where the gasket squished. What's the torque for the valve cover bolt as I am putting new gasket in tomorrow? Thanks.
 
If I remember correctly.. 9-LBS. I used a nut driver to tighten down as much as I could since I didn't have a torque wrench that could go that low. Apparently there are a bunch of people that have over tightened and broke the heads off.
 
Dam, cracked head. Didn't see that crack run down the side wall so probably only 1/2" below deck. Do you think this is weldable/ or JBWeld?

I didn't check for crack and shop that rebuilt the head checked everything so they must have missed this. Didn't see any thing else bad on the gasket so it must be this crack. Thanks.
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Dam, you're right! I see a faint line from the crack on top all the way down to the white tip manifold stud.Is this a common crack from overtighten stud?

No welding or JBweld possible? Engine runs fine. Time to look for another head- anybody got a lead on head for 95? Thanks.
 
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