Valve cover gaskets

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I had a leak on one or two valve covers so figured I would change all gaskets. Did that, torqued the nuts to 18 ft-lb like page 9-16 of the 1991 service manual supplement on the diesel engine said. Next time I looked under the hood it looked like all the covers were leaking. Anyone ever have that happen to them? How did you fix it? I thought I knew why the old gakets were leaking, there was gunk under the sealing surfaces. I was careful to clean the surfaces. Gaskets came from Carquest and looked as good as the ones I took out. Is 18 ft-lb the proper torque? Should I retorque them when the engine is hot? Any suggestions would be welcome.

 

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lbrown, you didn't mention replacing the o-rings under the tapper cover bolts. In all likelyhood, replacing them would have solved your leakage problem. At any rate, that would be my next point of attack.

 

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Yes, those were included in the gasket packet and I did replace them. It appears that the oil is coming from the main gasket interface.


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1991 W250 4X4 Intercooled

 

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The only suggestion I've got is to make sure the edge of the cover is clean where they slip over. Mine got some dirt in there and they would seep beteen the cover the inside of the gasket. Had to take the gaskets off and clean the trough that slides over the cover.

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Lil' Mack - 89 D250LE 2WD 5 Spd 3. 54 Reg Cab. K&N,"tweaked pump", BD Injectors, Banks Pyro/Boost, 3. 5" Exst tail section straight. E&M Custom seats. Bosch H4, PIAA 80W/80W HdLites. 100W Drv,55W Fogs.
232,500 miles (372,000 Kms) 7700 Hrs. Cummins Power Booster member.
The Original Turbo Diesel

 

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I also heard that the GRAY gaskets are not as good as the BLACK gaskets. When I replaced mine I used the black ones and made sure the the valve cover was seated in the gaskets all the way around. With that and the O-ring, haven't had a problem in 6K miles.

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Scott
92 Ram, Bright White, Club Cab, LE package, 4x4, 130K, 3. 54 gears, Auto, Extra transmission Cooler under bed, 285x75x16 Cooper Discovery A/T, 16X10 American Racing rims, Rancho RS9000 all around, Tekonsha Brake Controller, Running boards, Lund Sunvisor, Marker lights, Lund bug deflector, Tonneau cover, Full cap, DynoMax muffler, 5" Chrome tip, 16 cm Turbo, Isspro Boost gauge, 23 lbs Boost, Pump Adjustments, Sprayed in Bed-liner, Rubber mat

'SHAKES, RATTLES & GOES'

 

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The Cummins mechanics in So Cal like using the grey ones because they don't leak. They don't like come backs!

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'93 LE W250 5spd 3. 54 White Reg Cab
195,000 Miles 09/1/00

 

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Yike's!
Just changed mine a week ago but have been on a business trip and havn't ran it yet. Hope they don't leak like the ones you put on.

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Stan
93 2WD extended cab, Banks Power Pack, K&N Air Filter, Auto w/4. 10 rear with limited slip, US Gear Exhaust Brake, 3. 5" Exhaust, 5K air bags, Boost/Pyro/Tach Gauges, Green/Silver, 146K

 

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Put a thin washer under the head of the bolt, above the o-ring. It will apply more pressure to the gasket and stop the leak. Mine hasn't leaked in three years. Make sure the washer is thin, not over . 030", or you could crack the top of the cover.
Just my . 02$

CPFF

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CUMMINS POWERED FAST FORD

 

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Ran the truck hard today after installing PW injectors. Did not have any oil leals around the new valve cover gaskets.

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Stan
93 2WD extended cab, Banks Power Pack, K&N Air Filter, PW Injectors,Auto w/4. 10 rear with limited slip, US Gear Exhaust Brake, 31/2" Exhaust, 5K air bags, Boost/Pyro/Tach Gauges, Green/Silver, 146K

 

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Ran the truck hard today after installing PW injectors. Did not have any oil leals around the new valve cover gaskets.

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Stan
93 2WD extended cab, Banks Power Pack, K&N Air Filter, PW Injectors,Auto w/4. 10 rear with limited slip, US Gear Exhaust Brake, 31/2" Exhaust, 5K air bags, Boost/Pyro/Tach Gauges, Green/Silver, 146K

 

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I finally found the problem with the leaking gaskets. I had only one or two leaking not all of them like I thought. That oil goes everywhere. The first cylinder valve cover had a piece of junk under it that cut the gasket and the other had some junk under it that might have caused the second one to leak.

Thanks for everyone's replies. Appreciate them.