HELP! Dual Valve Cover Gasket Leak (2013 w/ 176K miles)

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HUZZAH

HUZZAH

Joined
Aug 12, 2021
Threads
4
Messages
48
Location
Richmond, Va
Exceptionally unfortunate situation here.

I've had this LC for less than 10k miles and have noticed upon flashlight inspection both VCs are leaking at the front of the engine--please see photos. I've not noticed any oil consumption at all and the LC still drives like a total champ. Have not noticed any operational issues.

As I've stated here before, the radiator was replaced right before I got it due to a leak from hitting a deer. After speaking with the previous owner (my brother) he said he did smell "a burning smell" just before taking it in and radiator was very low on coolant once he parked it at the shop.

All thoughts and comments are welcome. I need some guidance on this. Please see photos below.

Driver side front:
IMG_9669.jpg


Driver side front:
IMG_9670.jpg


Driver side from the wheel well:
IMG_9673.jpg


Passenger side from the wheel well (can't see any leakage from the front):
IMG_9672.jpg
 
Last edited:
Need more info for the PS, but based on these photos, the DS looks like a standard VC gasket leak.
 
That doesn’t look like anything to lose sleep over. Try switching to 5w30 next oil change and clean/monitor those locations.

I do also believe those are the locations a front timing cover leak is observed. VC leaks really aren’t a thing on the 3UR.
 
VC is a lot easier to fix. I'll monitor it. When it gets too big I'll do the work. I would do my homework now and buy all I need it, be ready.
 
04UZJ100 said:
That doesn’t look like anything to lose sleep over. Try switching to 5w30 next oil change and clean/monitor those locations.

I do also believe those are the locations a front timing cover leak is observed. VC leaks really aren’t a thing on the 3UR.
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What is interesting is that I was running 5w30 up until two weeks ago when I changed and did 5w20...of course I didn't notice this beforehand. Will keep that in mind.
doru said:
VC is a lot easier to fix. I'll monitor it. When it gets too big I'll do the work. I would do my homework now and buy all I need it, be ready.
Click to expand...
10-4 that's what I'm thinking. I've changed the VC gaskets on my truck but there isn't as much to move. Overall I'll switch back to 5w30 next change if not sooner--yes I should have stuck with 5w30....

My truck is having new injectors ($$$) and IDM ($$) dropped in this week so hopefully these VC gaskets can wait a few miles. Thanks guys :banana:
 
HUZZAH said:
What is interesting is that I was running 5w30 up until two weeks ago when I changed and did 5w20...of course I didn't notice this beforehand. Will keep that in mind.

10-4 that's what I'm thinking. I've changed the VC gaskets on my truck but there isn't as much to move. Overall I'll switch back to 5w30 next change if not sooner--yes I should have stuck with 5w30....

My truck is having new injectors ($$$) and IDM ($$) dropped in this week so hopefully these VC gaskets can wait a few miles. Thanks guys :banana:
Click to expand...
Why new injectors?
 
04UZJ100 said:
Why new injectors?
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Bank 1 completely failed. I figure if i have to replace 4, I may as well replace all 8 at the same time. Have had an intermittent issue for months where it truly felt like half the engine was not getting power. Nearly left me stranded a few times.
 
HUZZAH said:
Bank 1 completely failed. I figure if i have to replace 4, I may as well replace all 8 at the same time. Have had an intermittent issue for months where it truly felt like half the engine was not getting power. Nearly left me stranded a few times.
Click to expand...

Lost all 4 injectors at once? You've got something else going on - like a wonky ground somewhere. I would do much more investigating before tearing into that job.
 
Zjohnsonua said:
Lost all 4 injectors at once? You've got something else going on - like a wonky ground somewhere. I would do much more investigating before tearing into that job.
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Yeah that is why I replaced the main harness, injector solenoid, UVC harnesses, and did both a buzz test and cylinder contribution test before finally pointing the finger at the injectors. The IDM is not functioning 100% (25 year old truck) and that alone would explain why it has been running not 100% smooth for the last 4 years (random semi-rough idles).
 
HUZZAH said:
Yeah that is why I replaced the main harness, injector solenoid, UVC harnesses, and did both a buzz test and cylinder contribution test before finally pointing the finger at the injectors. The IDM is not functioning 100% (25 year old truck) and that alone would explain why it has been running not 100% smooth for the last 4 years (random semi-rough idles).
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What 25 year old 200?
 
IMO: degrease once per oil change and drive on.
 
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