valve cover still leaking after replacement

[Rambo]

I replaced the valve cover gasket on my 94 loyale but noticed that it still leaks a little bit. I cleaned the valve cover pretty well and made sure there was no damage to the mating surface before putting it back on. I retightened the bolts today but that didn't seem to stop the problem. I have read somewhere that the gasket shouldn't be visible after you tighten them, but I don't know whether that's true or not. Any ideas as to what the problem is? I'm using a felpro gasket.

[Dee2]

Could be the valve cover is slightly warped.  I used NAPA ALTROM gaskets and found them to be OEM quality.

[DaveT]

Ea82 overhead cams? Valve covers on mine are sealed with a fancy rubber custom formed o ring kind of seal. Fel Pro ones that come in head sets. The bolts have shoulders that set the clamping pressure. There are sealing washer to be used under thier heads. Replace when the main seal is replaced. There is always a small gap between the cam tower and the cover. Another posible source of the leaking is the cam seals, or the o ring that seals the camshaft oil seal carriers. Over torqueing the bolts only risks snapping them off, as the shoulder hits the cam tower to stop them at the correct height.

[Len Dawg]

I second Dave T.. plus another thing is the rubber needs time to form..as stated by lots of mechanics which mine never stopped leaking ha ha ha ! I'm headed in the direction of putting sealer on next time.

[Rambo]

Yeah Len I think I will have to resort to using sealant when I redo them. I read the instructions and it specifically said to install the gasket dry, but whatever. However I'm going to follow Dave's advice and look at the o rings first and see if they are leaking. It's only a tiny amount of oil (huge improvement from last time) but I don't think the neighbors appreciate the mess haha.

[Len Dawg]

Ha ha ha

[DaveT]

If the cam seals and seal holder o rings have not been replaced, they are likely overdue.

[jono]

an engineer xxxx head I know loves to sprout the gaskets job is to seal and sealant should not be used but next time I fit an EA82 into an EA81 chassis I am flippin' using sealant and new seals and gaskets and the PCV hoses ! Engine either needs to be lifted off mounts at least or removed to re-do in my case

Edited June 11, 2016 by jono

[markurq]

Was not sure whether to start new thread or hijack this one..

 

My 1992 Loyale (original owner) is rarely used as 4WD or backup car that runs great with 210k miles.  It has had some significant oil leaks that I use a drip pan for but want to reduce the major ones on each end of engine which look to be from valve cover gaskets.  I don’t want to chase one near center of engine that will be more costly than I want for this car (probably oil pump and other seals). 

I bought felpro gasket set and while I have the valve covers off I am wondering if I should retorque the heads while I am in there - or since it has 210k better to just leave alone? I guess heads are also prone to eventually leak (never had internal leak– not positive that they do not have some outward oil seeping also) and wonder if this would help or hurt given age of still original head gasket. 

 

Also I noticed Chilton said to use Prermatex #2 on rocker cover.  I already have some RTC silicone on my bench.  Would that also work or given the type of gasket and low torque of the cover bolts should another type of sealant be used on the gasket?

 

Thanks!

[Kootenays kid]

My valve covers leak also, I did new rubber gaskets not long ago, I have done them twice actually. I think I will just have to live with it.

[DaveT]

Between age and miles there are a few other potential oil leaks. O ring for the oil channel to the lifters between the head and cam carrier. Same passage also goes through the headgaskets, and I have had Those get leaky. I never heard of anyone trying to re torque heads this late. Some of the bolts are likely a bit sticky, so it's a risky idea. Oil pump o rings are likely leak if original. Not a big deal to replace. Front main can be done on car, but isn't usually leaky. Cam shaft seals and the orings for the small pieces that they press into are pretty good at leaking when old. I'd the pcv hoses are hard as rocks, they'll leak.

[markurq]

Thanks for replies.  I am going to do valve cover gaskets and see what happens on remaining leaks. I don't do more complex wrenching on my cars anymore and that oil pump seal would be picked up by shop if I decide to replace the timing belt.

 

To check valve covers job out I pulled the PCV hose and it cracked.  No surprise given age so I bought new pvc valve and found part number for a "Y-block PVC hose assembly" for later models of Subaru available online.  Anyone aware of this part source for 1992 Loyale - browsed but could not find that.