Valve Cover Leak..
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2004
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Valve Cover Leak..
I have a FORD E-350 diesel, and a small leak at the rear of the
[right] valve-cover has suddenly become bad.
Can someone tell me if there is problem INSIDE - with the hydraulic
lifters that may be the reason the seal leaks..
??
I'd like to know, before I replace the valve cover seal.
Thanks-
FIND20
[right] valve-cover has suddenly become bad.
Can someone tell me if there is problem INSIDE - with the hydraulic
lifters that may be the reason the seal leaks..
??
I'd like to know, before I replace the valve cover seal.
Thanks-
FIND20
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
valve seals..
That's possibly what the problem is?
The valve seals leak, and then the pressure causes the oil to leak at the rear of the valve cover, through the gasket?
please reply..
Thanks
find20
The valve seals leak, and then the pressure causes the oil to leak at the rear of the valve cover, through the gasket?
please reply..
Thanks
find20
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,501
Likes: 5
From: Faibanks Ak.
Valve seals will not cause your valve covers to leak.
If you have bad valve seals it will let a little oil into the cylinders causing it to smoke a little mostly just at startup. your cdr if dirty or inoperative could cause some pressure it is like a pcv valve on a gasser.
Valve cover bolts have a habit of getting loose overtime probably from the gasket shrinking a little.
If you have bad valve seals it will let a little oil into the cylinders causing it to smoke a little mostly just at startup. your cdr if dirty or inoperative could cause some pressure it is like a pcv valve on a gasser.
Valve cover bolts have a habit of getting loose overtime probably from the gasket shrinking a little.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,402
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While the engine is running oil is continually pumped up to the valve covers to lubricate the valve operating mechanism so any defect in the valve cover gasket will result is an oil leak.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 219
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From: California
The bolts are just loose. mine did it too and I know a bunck of you on here have had the same problem. I would put lock tight on the bolts. But make sure they are loose. If they are not then you might have another problem
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Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Sweetwater Texas
Leaky valve cover gaskets are one of the two problems that Ford's are notorious for.
My 87 with a rebuilt 302 would loosen the valve cover bolts on it every 500 miles religiously, and if I put loctite it would last 1000 miles before I would have to tighten them
My F100 and my 88 both leak around the valve covers.
The other problem I've always had with Fords is the stupid powersteering pump leaking. Heck I put a new PS pump on my 88 and in less than 4 weeks, whoops she started leaking again, but on the other hand I've put all kinds of crap in my PS and she still works. I've also completely filled it to the brim, (I was hoping it would lock up, cuz I won't fix something unless its broke), but she never missed a step.
My 87 with a rebuilt 302 would loosen the valve cover bolts on it every 500 miles religiously, and if I put loctite it would last 1000 miles before I would have to tighten them
My F100 and my 88 both leak around the valve covers.
The other problem I've always had with Fords is the stupid powersteering pump leaking. Heck I put a new PS pump on my 88 and in less than 4 weeks, whoops she started leaking again, but on the other hand I've put all kinds of crap in my PS and she still works. I've also completely filled it to the brim, (I was hoping it would lock up, cuz I won't fix something unless its broke), but she never missed a step.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,330
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From: Eaton, CO
Are there aftermarket bolts for the valve covers that have a set screw within the head of the bolt? So you torque your bolts down according to spec. Then you give the set screw a few turns to expand the valve cover bolt within the head, so that they don't vibrate loose. Are these made for our trucks? I'm running them on my headers in my Jeep. Just wondering.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,501
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From: Faibanks Ak.
Never heard of them for this application and these bolts are probably too small for something like that. I have not had the kind of problems with mine getting loose very often I think the gasket shrinks over time.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 16
From: Nutter Fort, WV
And there is also the possibility that someone has overtightened the valve cover bolts.
If that happens, the valve covers bend, and the only fix is take them off and straighten them out, then install new gaskets and reinstall.
Both cork and rubber gaskets are available.
I am not sure which I would call the better of the two.
If that happens, the valve covers bend, and the only fix is take them off and straighten them out, then install new gaskets and reinstall.
Both cork and rubber gaskets are available.
I am not sure which I would call the better of the two.
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