leaking valve covers

johndeerezach · Sep 22, 2012

so i replaced the vcg after a bout of rough idling and fixed it, but i always left back bolt off both sides of valve covers never had any issue with oil seeping or leaking at back of cover. now new ones are fel pro and didnt put bolt in rear like old ones and i got a moderate oil seeping on the back of drivers side, so i put bolt in and seems to be the same idk if i got some debris on mating surfaces or what. does any body else have fel pro gaskets and not have a problem? thank you in advance

4.0l sahara · Sep 23, 2012

Why wouldn't you put the back bolt in? It's not hard at all. Maybe the cover is warped.

Marty · Sep 23, 2012

If there is a leak I always put new OEM on and then clean both mating surfaces. That's what I would try.

johndeerezach · Sep 23, 2012

ok sounds good i will try cleaning it first then if not ill see if its warped.

TARM · Sep 25, 2012

4.0l sahara said:
Why wouldn't you put the back bolt in? It's not hard at all. Maybe the cover is warped.

Come on you know for those that do not have more than basic tools ( no wobble or 360 sockets or adapters and or are good at twisting and contorting there arms and hands to get back in there it can be a pain to get those back bolts in on each side. Take some big hands and thick forearms a health mid aged gut LOL and its that much harder.

Absolutely can be done but easy or not hard at all is not how I would describe it. I have even thought of putted extended head bolts on there. So the head is just below level with the top of the VC.

johndeerezach · Sep 25, 2012

well i should have looked closer when i swapped the gaskets but apparently who ever did work on the truck used coppper rtv underneath the gasket and more in the back so i scrapped that all off and now it doesnt leak i dont think.

TARM · Sep 25, 2012

SO that stuff was on there from someone replacing the gasket before you got it?

Arisley · Sep 26, 2012

Even though it is not required, I always put a light smear of silicone on gaskets when replacing them.

johndeerezach · Sep 26, 2012

TARM said:
SO that stuff was on there from someone replacing the gasket before you got it?[/QUOTE
apparently they must have or had a problem with leaking i presume.